2025 WNBA Season Awards

Cardell Darrin Dudley Jr
Sep 12
8 min read

The 2025 WNBA season has been filled with breakout performances, historic milestones, and unforgettable storylines, setting the stage for the league’s annual awards and the unveiling of the All-WNBA Teams. This year’s honorees embody the league’s competitive spirit, featuring established stars who continued to dominate, rising talents who elevated their games to new levels, and leaders who guided their teams to success on and off the court. From MVP to Sixth Woman of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year to Most Improved, and Coach of the Year, each award reflects the impact and excellence of players and coaches who defined the season. The All-WNBA Teams further highlight the league’s elite, showcasing the best of the best across every position and underscoring just how deep and talented today’s WNBA truly is.

MVP: A’ja Wilson/ Las Vegas Aces: (23.4 Points, 10.2 Rebounds, 3.1 Assists, 2.3 Blocks, 1.6 Steals, 50.5 FG%, 42.4 3FG%, 85.5 FT%)

A’ja Wilson’s case for the 2025 WNBA MVP rests first and foremost on her remarkable consistency and dominance on both ends of the floor. Throughout the season, she reaffirmed why she is the face of the league, impacting games in ways that go beyond the box score. Wilson’s scoring versatility, rebounding prowess, and elite defense set her apart from her peers. She not only produced at a high level every night, but did so against double-teams and schemes specifically designed to slow her down, showing her ability to rise above any challenge. Her presence alone transformed the Aces into one of the most feared teams in the league.

What truly sealed Wilson’s MVP campaign was her performance down the stretch. At one point, Las Vegas looked to be in danger of slipping into mediocrity, sitting in the lower half of the standings. Instead of faltering, Wilson elevated her game to another level when it mattered most, powering the Aces to a late-season surge, winning their final sixteen games to vault them all the way to the second seed in the WNBA playoffs. Over the Aces sixteen game win streak, Wilson averaged a remarkable 26.1 points, 12 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 steals on 52.7/ 59.3 (16-27 3FG)/ 88.9 splits. That type of leadership and ability to carry a franchise is the very essence of what an MVP should embody. She didn’t just produce numbers—she delivered wins, which is ultimately the deciding factor in separating a great season from an MVP-caliber one.

While Napheesa Collier had a strong case and might have taken home the award if not for her injury absences, Wilson’s durability and availability cannot be overlooked. Night in and night out, she was there for her team, anchoring both the offense and defense. In a season defined by razor-thin margins in the MVP race, Wilson’s ability to stay on the court, produce consistently, and lift her team when the stakes were highest gave her the edge. In the tightest MVP race in league history, Wilson’s dominance, resilience, and impact on winning make her the clear choice as the 2025 WNBA Most Valuable Player.

Runner Ups:

Napheesa Collier/Minnesota Lynx

Alyssa Thomas/ Phoenix Mercury

Allisha Gray/ Atlanta Dream

Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers/ Dallas Wings: (19.2 Points (1st among Rookies), 5.4 Assists (1st among Rookies), 3.9 Rebounds, 1.6 steals (2nd among Rookies), 47.7 FG%, 33.1 3FG%, 88.8 FT%)

Paige Bueckers’ rookie campaign was nothing short of spectacular, as she entered the league with immense expectations and managed to surpass them. From day one, she displayed poise and maturity well beyond her years, seamlessly transitioning into the professional game. Her ability to score at all three levels while also being a dynamic playmaker made her a matchup nightmare for opponents. Bueckers didn’t just put up flashy numbers—she did so efficiently, showing that her game translates at the highest level. Her balance of scoring and facilitating immediately gave the Dallas Wings a new identity on offense.

What separates Bueckers from the rest of this talented rookie class is her impact in big moments. Not only was she an All-Star in her first year, but she also consistently delivered in crunch time, showing the confidence and skill of a seasoned veteran. Whether it was hitting key shots, orchestrating the offense under pressure, or making winning plays on the defensive end, Bueckers proved she could be relied upon when the game was on the line. In a league where rookies often take time to adjust, her ability to lead in high-pressure situations is a testament to her unique talent and competitive spirit.

In a season where several rookies made strong cases, Bueckers’ blend of production, efficiency, and leadership ultimately gave her the edge. She not only lived up to the hype but established herself as one of the league’s future stars, making her the clear and deserving choice for the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Runner Ups:

Sonia Citron/ Washington Mystics

KiKi Iriafen/ Washington Mystics

Dominique Malonga/ Seattle Storm

Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams/ Seattle Storm: (4.3 Rebounds, 2.3 Steals (1st in WNBA), 0.5 Blocks, 2.8 Defensive Win Shares (3rd in WNBA), 100 Defensive Rating)

Gabby Williams’ case for the 2025 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year is built on her unmatched versatility and relentless intensity on that end of the floor. Few players in the league can guard all five positions effectively, but Williams does so with ease, using her combination of athleticism, quickness, and strength to disrupt opposing offenses. Whether it’s locking down elite guards on the perimeter or battling with forwards in the paint, she consistently made life difficult for her matchups. Her ability to switch seamlessly across positions anchored Seattle’s defensive schemes and gave them a unique weapon that no stat sheet can fully capture.

What makes Williams’ defensive impact stand out even more is her knack for generating turnovers and turning them into instant offense. Her anticipation in the passing lanes and active hands often led to steals that swung momentum in critical moments. Beyond the steals, her on-ball pressure forced opponents into poor decisions and rushed shots, lowering their efficiency dramatically. Williams’ presence was felt in every game, as opposing coaches were forced to game-plan around her ability to neutralize their best offensive threats.

While other candidates had strong cases, Williams’ consistency and versatility separated her from the rest of the field. She wasn’t just good in certain matchups—she was elite against everyone, night in and night out. In a league that thrives on offensive firepower, her ability to tilt games with her defense alone is rare and invaluable. Gabby Williams showcased what it means to be a lockdown defender in the WNBA this season, making her the clear and deserving choice for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award.

Runner Ups:

Alyssa Thomas/ Phoenix Mercury

A’ja Wilson/ Las Vegas Aces

Alanna Smith/ Minnesota Lynx

Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton/ Golden State Valkyries: (11.9 Points, 6 Assists, 4.4 Rebounds, 1.1 Steals, 38.7 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.8 FT%)

Veronica Burton’s leap in the 2025 season is the very definition of what the WNBA Most Improved Player award represents. Known in her first couple of years primarily for her defensive instincts and floor leadership, Burton elevated her game to another level by becoming a consistent two-way threat. Burton’s set career high’s this season in points per game (11.9), assists (6), rebounds (4.4) steals (1.1) and field goal percentage (38.7%), while starting every game. She showcased major growth in her offensive arsenal, particularly as a scorer, adding a reliable jumper and improved finishing around the rim. That development forced defenses to respect her more, opening up space for her teammates and transforming her into a far more complete guard.

Beyond her individual skill growth, Burton’s confidence and decision-making took a dramatic step forward. She evolved from a role player into a dependable starter and key contributor, shouldering more offensive responsibilities without sacrificing the defensive toughness that has defined her career. Burton displayed better command of pace, a sharper handle, and greater assertiveness in creating her own shot. Her ability to balance scoring with playmaking allowed her to emerge as one of the league’s breakout guards, proving she could not only compete but excel against elite competition.

What makes Burton most deserving of the award is the direct impact her improvement had on her team’s success. By becoming a more versatile and dynamic guard, she elevated the overall effectiveness of her squad, giving them another consistent option on both ends of the floor. Her growth was not just statistical—it translated into wins, momentum, and a stronger identity for her team. In a league full of talented players making strides, Burton’s all-around leap in production, efficiency, and confidence made her the clear choice for the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player.

Runner Ups:

Azura Stevens/ Los Angeles Sparks

Kayla Thornton/ Golden State Valkyries

Sixth Woman of the Year: Naz Hillmon/Atlanta Dream: (8.6 Points, 6.2 Rebounds, 2.4 Assists, 46.3 FG%, 32.1 3FG%, 83.1 FT%, 44 Games, 17 Games Started)

Coming off the bench, Hillmon provided an instant interior presence, using her strength and rebounding instincts to control the paint against opposing second units. Her ability to carve out space, finish around the rim, and crash the offensive glass gave her team reliable scoring and extra possessions. That level of efficiency and effort made her one of the most impactful reserves in the league.

What set Hillmon apart this season was her adaptability. She could play alongside starters or anchor the second unit, seamlessly adjusting to whatever role her team needed on a given night. Defensively, she battled with elite post players, held her own in switches, and brought a physical edge that often shifted the tone of games. Offensively, she provided a steady interior scoring option while also improving her mid-range touch, making her even more versatile. That consistency allowed her coach to trust her in high-pressure moments, whether early in games or late in close contests.

Beyond the numbers, Hillmon’s presence changed the momentum of games. Her hustle plays, leadership, and relentless motor galvanized her teammates and gave her team an emotional spark that can’t always be measured by stats. She wasn’t just a contributor off the bench—she was a game-changer, making her the deserving winner of the 2025 WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year.

Runner Ups:

Natisha Hiedman/ Minnesota Lynx

Jessica Shepard/ Minnesota Lynx

Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase/ Golden State Valkyries: (23-21 Overall Record/ 8th Seed)

Natalie Nakase’s work in 2025 made her the clear-cut choice for WNBA Coach of the Year, as she guided the Valkyries, an expansion team, to the playoffs in its inaugural season. Taking over a roster that many believed was full of international hopefuls and rotation players, Nakase instilled a culture of accountability, discipline, and unselfish play that quickly translated into wins. Her emphasis on defense and heavy three point shooting, gave her team a clear identity, and she maximized the strengths of her roster by putting players in positions where they could thrive. The results were undeniable, as her squad exceeded expectations and firmly established itself as a tenacious playoff team.

What separates Nakase from her peers is her ability to adapt and adjust over the course of the season. Whether it was navigating injuries, managing rotations, or tailoring game plans to exploit matchups, she consistently showed an elite feel for the flow of the season. Her tactical adjustments in late-game situations often swung outcomes in her team’s favor, and her steady leadership kept the group locked in even during stretches of adversity. That combination of preparation, adaptability, and composure reflected not only her basketball IQ but also her ability to connect with her players on a personal level.

Perhaps most importantly, Nakase’s influence went beyond wins and losses—she helped her players grow. Several members of her roster had career years under her leadership, a testament to her development-focused approach and belief in empowering her team. By blending player growth with team success, Nakase created a sustainable winning culture that should benefit the franchise for years to come. In a season filled with standout coaching performances, Natalie Nakase’s ability to elevate her team’s ceiling and deliver excellence on every front made her a no-brainer choice for the 2025 WNBA Coach of the Year.

Runner Ups:

Karl Smesko/ Atlanta Dream

Nate Tibbetts/ Phoenix Mercury