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A'ja Wilson won her third Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2025 WNBA season on top of her MVP performances for the Las Vegas Aces. In an episode of the Hot Ones, Wilson detailed her defensive blueprint, which has been predicated on chaos and versatility.
According to Wilson, she embraced switching on guards as it allowed her to showcase her foot speed and long arms to deter offensive players who dared to challenge her.
"I like the chaos. I love switching on the guards. It makes me think I get to play in a different role," she said. "Like I love that. So give me the chaos all day."
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Wilson also got candid on the feeling of blocking finesse players, saying it is more satisfying than denying power players.
"Getting a block against a finesse player is probably one of my biggest highlights cuz I feel like anyone can block help side. Like you see that coming. But to someone who knows that you're coming and knows that they can challenge you at the rim," she added.
Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game to bag both the MVP and DPOY awards.
Wilson first won the DPOY nod in 2022, before winning it again the following year. This year has also marked her second straight MVP honors.
Wilson, who also won this year's Finals MVP, also led the Aces to the 2025 WNBA crown for her third career title and the team's third championship in four years.
A'ja Wilson explains one key element for greatness
A'ja Wilson's two-way brilliance was on full showcase throughout the 2025 season en route to another championship. But it did not start as well as they had hoped, as the Aces opened the year with a 12-13 record.
For Wilson, it required patience for her to get to MVP form and lead the Aces to another title.
"Greatness is being patient, waiting on your turn, waiting on your moment," she said via ESPN."And I think that's what defines us, is you've got to be great when the lights aren't on you. You've got to be great when nobody's in the gym with you."
"You may not get anything in the end. That is what greatness is to me, because that is consistency, and that is just you doing the right things because it's right."
Wilson now enjoys a lengthy offseason by venturing out into other fields outside basketball while waiting for the league's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which would dictate next season.
