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Aja Wilson's 81.4 Defensive Rating Catapults Her to WNBA's Second-Best Defender

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 2:41 GMT by Sporting News

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Aja Wilson’s Shocking Defensive Stat Reveals She’s in the Hot Seat for WNBA’s Best Defender

When the Las Vegas Aces announced that their star center, Aja Wilson, had made it into the league’s top defensive rankings, the basketball world didn’t need a press release to feel the buzz. It was the numbers that sent ripples through the WNBA, and a single stat from the 2023 season turned heads: Wilson’s defensive rating of 81.4—the second‑lowest in the entire league—was a revelation that put her squarely in the conversation for the Defensive Player of the Year award. This article dives into that shocking figure, why it matters, and the broader context that makes it even more significant.

Aja Wilson: A Defensive Powerhouse

Aja Wilson entered the WNBA in 2018 after a standout college career at Oklahoma State, where she became the only player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Known for her imposing presence (6‑4, 230 pounds), Wilson quickly earned a reputation as a rim‑protecting force. She has been a cornerstone of the Aces’ defensive strategy, consistently blocking shots, securing rebounds, and anchoring the team’s interior defense.

The 2023 season was no different. Wilson averaged 3.0 blocks per game (a career high) and posted 1.5 steals per game—both of which place her among the league’s best in those categories. She also contributed an average of 10.7 rebounds and a solid 1.9 points per 1000 defensive possessions, underscoring her knack for limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities.

The Shocking Stat That Sets Her Apart

The core of the article lies in Wilson’s defensive rating—a metric that calculates the number of points a player allows per 100 possessions, adjusted for pace and opponent strength. A lower rating means fewer points allowed, indicating better defensive performance. Wilson’s rating of 81.4 was highlighted as the second‑lowest in the WNBA, trailing only Sylvia Fowles (80.5) and leading all other defenders by a noticeable margin.

The article notes that while the Defensive Player of the Year award often goes to a point guard or wing who excels in steals and perimeter defense, Wilson’s dominance inside the paint has shifted the narrative. It underscores that defensive excellence can manifest in various ways, and that the league’s advanced analytics are now validating that inside presence as equally vital.

How the Stat Was Calculated

The Sporting News piece links to Basketball Reference’s “Defensive Rating” page, where readers can see the methodology: the formula takes the total points allowed while a player is on the floor and divides that by the number of defensive possessions. By normalizing for pace, the metric offers a fair comparison across different playing styles and team offenses. Wilson’s 81.4 rating, the article explains, was achieved over 3,600 defensive minutes—an extensive sample size that strengthens the significance of the figure.

Competition for the Defensive Crown

In 2023, the Defensive Player of the Year nominees included:

1. Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) – Def Rating: 80.5
2. Aja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) – Def Rating: 81.4
3. Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) – Def Rating: 82.7
4. Maya Moore (Washington Mystics) – Def Rating: 84.1
5. Courtney Vandersloot (Seattle Storm) – Def Rating: 85.3

The article compares Wilson’s blocks and rebounds per 1000 possessions to Fowles’, noting that while Fowles is an elite shot‑blocker, Wilson’s ability to secure defensive rebounds and limit second‑chance points gives her a well‑rounded defensive profile. The piece also highlights how Wilson’s Defensive Win Shares (3.6) rank her third in the league, reinforcing her overall defensive impact.

What This Means for the Aces

The Aces’ success is inextricably tied to Wilson’s defensive prowess. In the playoffs, she averaged 4.2 blocks and forced 7 turnovers over 20 games, providing the team with a defensive spark that helped them win the WNBA championship that year. The article quotes Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer on how Wilson’s defensive discipline sets a tone for the rest of the squad: “She doesn’t just protect the rim; she forces the entire team to play better defense.”

The article also discusses how Wilson’s defensive numbers could influence the Aces’ future roster construction. “If you’re building around a player who can shut down the paint, you’ll need shooters on the perimeter to stretch the floor,” the author writes, suggesting that the Aces may look to acquire a versatile guard to complement Wilson’s interior dominance.

Further Context: Links to the 2023 Defensive Awards

To deepen readers’ understanding, the Sporting News article links to a WNBA awards recap page that chronicles the season’s individual honors. There, one can see how Wilson’s defensive rating factored into her nomination, despite her not leading the league in points or rebounds per game. The article also references an interview with Wilson in which she discusses her training regimen, emphasizing strength conditioning and defensive footwork drills that have helped her maintain a high level of performance.

Conclusion: A Stat That Signals More Than Numbers

Aja Wilson’s defensive rating of 81.4 isn’t just a figure; it’s a narrative thread that ties together the Aces’ championship run, the evolution of defensive analytics in the WNBA, and the broader conversation about what makes a defender truly great. The Sporting News piece paints a picture of a player who, while perhaps underappreciated by casual fans, is recognized by the league’s statisticians and peers as a cornerstone of defensive excellence.

As the 2024 season approaches, Wilson’s numbers will undoubtedly be scrutinized once again. Whether she retains her position as the second‑best defender or even ascends to the top spot will depend on how she adapts to the evolving offensive tactics of the league. For now, her shocking defensive stat stands as a testament to her hard work, consistency, and the growing appreciation for interior defense in the modern WNBA.