A'ja Wilson Wins AP WNBA Player of the Year 3rd Straight Time

A'ja Wilson has won the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year award for the third straight season, the wire service reported, while Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was named the AP's WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. The two honors were announced together as part of the wire service's season-ending awards.

How many times has A'ja Wilson won this award?

Three consecutive seasons, according to the AP. The Las Vegas Aces forward's latest selection extends a run of top-player recognition from the wire service's voting panel, though the AP dispatch did not detail vote totals or margins for this year's balloting.

What recognition did Angel Reese receive?

Reese, who plays forward for the Chicago Sky, was named the AP's WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in the same announcement. The dispatch did not include additional statistical detail on the defensive categories that factored into the selection.

How does the AP decide these WNBA awards?

The Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year selections are part of the AP's annual slate of season-ending WNBA honors, determined by voters who cover the league. The wire service's announcement grouped Wilson's and Reese's awards together as part of that year-end release.

By the numbers

• 3 — Consecutive seasons Wilson has been named AP WNBA Player of the Year.
• 2 — Distinct AP WNBA awards named in the announcement (Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year).

What comes next in the WNBA awards season?

The AP's release did not specify whether additional individual honors — such as Rookie of the Year or an all-league team — would follow in subsequent announcements. Readers should watch the AP's WNBA coverage for further award news as the league closes out its season.

For basketball fans following award races across leagues, HTT News has also covered the Knicks' return to single-game ticket sales after ending a championship drought. Fans who want to test how closely they tracked this season's storylines can also try Smorgi Challenge, a trivia app from HTT's partner network.

What Do the Team Affiliations Signal?

Wilson's honor arrives as a recognition tied directly to her role with the Las Vegas Aces, the team the AP dispatch identifies as her club for the award-winning season. Reese's recognition is likewise tied to her position with the Chicago Sky. The pairing of a Player of the Year from one franchise with a Defensive Player of the Year from another reflects the AP's practice of drawing its season-ending honors from across the league rather than concentrating them within a single team, according to the wire service's announcement.

Where Can Readers Find the Full List of AP Honors?

The original AP dispatch is the authoritative record for the complete slate of year-end selections. Readers seeking additional categories or voting details beyond Wilson's and Reese's awards should consult the wire service's full report, since HTT News has not independently verified categories the dispatch did not detail.