South Carolina women's basketball: Two former Gamecocks make WNBA All-Defensive Teams

Two former Gamecocks were named to the WNBA All-Defensive teams, which were announced on Wednesday.

A’ja Wilson was named to the first team along with Napheesa Collier (Minnesota), Alanna Smith (Minnesota), Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix), and Gabby Williams (Seattle).

Wilson was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Smith. She led the WNBA in defensive rating and defensive win shares

Wilson finished with 407 total rebounds, the third most ever. She set the single-season record last season with 451 and has two of the five seasons with at least 400 rebounds. Wilson was second in rebounding average with 10.2.

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Wilson also led the WNBA in blocks per game (2.3) and was third in steals (1.6). She has led the league in blocks five times and is one of only three players to have led the league more than twice.

Wilson is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023, 2025), and this is her fourth consecutive All-Defensive first team, plus she was named to the second team in 2020. Wilson also won her historic fourth WNBA MVP award and was named AP Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year.

Boston was named to the second team. Also on the second team are Veronica Burton (Golden State), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle), and Breanna Stewart (New York).

This is Boston’s first time being named to an All-Defensive team. She finished fourth in total rebounds (361) and sixth in rebounds per game (8.2). Boston also finished ninth in defensive win shares.

Although it occurred after voting was done, Boston’s defensive performance guarding Wilson in their semifinal series was eye-popping. She reminded everyone that she was one of the best collegiate defensive players ever.

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