It feels like the WNBA is A’ja Wilson’s world right now, and everyone else is just living in it. The Las Vegas Aces superstar has put together one of the most dominant seasons in league history. Rewriting the record books with 13 thirty-point outings, the most ever in a single campaign. Her impact on both ends of the floor has been staggering, with Vegas boasting a +12.1 net rating when she suited up, compared to a shocking -16.9 when she sat. Those numbers explain why she made history as the league’s first-ever four-time MVP, capping off a season that redefined consistency and dominance.

But Wilson’s brilliance didn’t stop there. A few days prior, she also became the first player to share the Defensive Player of the Year award, splitting honors with Alanna Smith. While many applauded the recognition, the rare tie sparked heated debate around the WNBA’s voting system, as 29 jurors cast identical ballots for both stars. Some saw it as a moment worth celebrating, others as a blemish on the process. CBS journalist Ashley Nicole Moss, however, stepped in with a practical solution, offering the league a way to avoid such controversy in the future.

Her verdict was simple, but some might argue inefficient. Putting forward her 5-word fix, she said, “put another vote to it.” Moss suggested the WNBA should extend the voting process until a clear winner emerges, ensuring that prestigious honors like DPOY are never shared again. As she puts it, “If it’s something that is so close to the point where you can’t make a determination who actually won it, then have the voters vote again until there’s an actual, determined singular winner.

“I don’t want to see a co-MVP. I don’t want to see a co-rookie of the year. Those awards are meant for one person and one person only.” She did not want Wilson or Smith sharing the honor, but rather one of them getting it. However, both players made excellent arguments for the trophy. Wilson averaged 2.3 blocks per game, which led the league. She also racked up 92 total blocks, 64 steals, and a combined steals & blocks total of 156, topping the WNBA.

On the other hand, Smith averaged a career-high 1.9 blocks per game, good for third in the league. She totaled 80 blocks over the season, tied for high among forwards, and put up 55 steals. While these numbers seem low, her contribution shines brightest on an already tough defensive team. She also helped Minnesota lead the league in team defense: the Lynx posted a 97.5 defensive rating, the best in the WNBA.

But Moss wanted just one winner, whoever it may be. And her reasoning was straightforward. “I think it dilutes the importance of the award. Whatever the award is, it dilutes the importance of the award when you make it a co-award… That represents to me as if you’re close enough, you’re eligible. No, you have to be the best. You have to be head and shoulders above everybody else in that particular category to win this award.”

She even raised an argument that this could lead to a co-MVP or co-ROTY later down the line, which will diminish the win for those who got it. While true for ROTY, getting a co-MVP is hard. Because for MVP, each jury picks their top-five players. The coinciding players then receive 10 points for a first-place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth. This ensures an extra level of tie-breaker for the MVP.

But that unfortunately did not occur for the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. The reactions were separated, and even A’ja Wilson’s coach raised fingers at this split.

A’ja Wilson sharing the DPOY title did not sit well with Becky Hammon

The announcement of the co-DPOY award sparked controversy among coaches and analysts. The first to raise questions was Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon. She expressed confusion over the shared honor, questioning why A’ja Wilson, given her dominant season, wasn’t awarded the title outright. “I’m a little confused by the ‘Co.’ Because Napheesa [Collier], you guys said, was the best defensive player last year, and now she’s not? I don’t know,” she said.

She outright rejected sharing the award, stating, “I don’t know how [the voting] came to a tie, but apparently it did. To me, there’s no comparison. A white-tailed deer looks really good until an elk walks in the room.” These words may sound harsh to Smith, but she is ignoring the negativity. The Minnesota Lynx forward is enjoying her first-ever DPOY win, even if it meant sharing with Wilson.

When asked how she felt sharing this award with Wilson, the Australian player gave her candid response. “It’s an honor to be able to share with two great defenders, especially with someone like A’ja, who has won this award before. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud of A’ja for being able to continue to do what she’s been doing for a long time. We got two great defenders being awarded.”

Her coach, Cheryl Reeve, was also on the supportive end. In contrast to Hammon, Minnesota Lynx head coach praised Alanna Smith’s defensive contributions. Although the award is split, the honor both DPOYs are getting on the court is the same.