{
  "id": 11258856,
  "title": "WNBA Defensive Player of the Year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/wnba-defensive-player-of-the-year",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T19:09:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/basketball/2026/10/01/wnba-defensive-player-of-the-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2025, C A’ja Wilson from Las Vegas was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Prior to that, in 2020, it was F Alanna Smith from Minnesota Lynx who received the prestigious award. Looking back to 1999, C Yolanda Griffith from Sacramento Monarchs claimed the title, followed by G Teresa Weatherspoon from New York Liberty in 1998 and 1997. This honor has been bestowed upon both forwards and guards throughout the years, underscoring the importance of defensive prowess in women's basketball.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "C A’ja Wilson named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2025",
    "Alanna Smith won the award in 2020, Yolanda Griffith in 1999",
    "Defensive prowess recognized across forwards and guards"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}