My 2025 WNBA End-of-Season Awards Ballot
Breaking down my selections for the 2025 MVP, DPOY, All-WNBA teams and more.
I’ve submitted my ballot for the 2025 end-of-season awards. This was my third season as a media voter and it was one of the hardest ballots I’ve had to make, which made narrowing down selections a challenge.
Here’s a breakdown of my picks for the 2025 end-of-season awards:
Most Valuable Player: Napheesa Collier
Collier finished her most complete campaign to date, as she led the Minnesota Lynx to the best record in the league. Collier shot 53.1% overall, 40.3% beyond the arc and 90.1% from the free throw line. Collier is just the second player in WNBA history to hit 50-40-90 in a season: Elena Delle Donne (2019) Napheesa Collier (2025). Collier is the only one of the two to average above 20 points per game.
This decision came down to the wire as A’ja Wilson was dominant in the second half of the season for the Las Vegas Aces, I went back and forth between Collier and Wilson multiple times throughout the season. Alyssa Thomas should be highlighted as well, the engine behind Phoenix Mercury’s resurgence to a top four seed.
My MVP Vote:
Napheesa Collier
A’ja Wilson
Alyssa Thomas
Allisha Gray
Kelsey Mitchell
Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams
Williams is the definition of a “defensive stopper”. The forward stood out every time I watched the Storm play, including the ability to defend multiple positions at an elite level, switch across multiple actions without giving up position, generating steals and deflections, the impact is felt while observing.
It’s tough to have Wilson in my voting as the runner up for the MVP and now DPOY but I do. Wilson was a force on both of sides of the ball and the defense was just as good as her offense. This selection also came down to the wire but overall I selected Williams.
All-Defense
First Team
Gabby Williams
A’ja Wilson
Alanna Smith
Alyssa Thomas
Napheesa Collier
Second Team
Veronica Burton
Rhyne Howard
Breanna Stewart
Ezi Magbegor
Saniya Rivers
Coach of the Year: Natalie Nakase
In her first full season as a head coach and the coaching leader of an expansion team, Nakase led the Golden State Valkyries to the playoffs in their first WNBA season. That achievement alone stands out as the first time it has been done in league history. The team created an identity and culture that the local fans poured into. Under Nakase’s leadership, the players displayed passion, determination and discipline.
Karl Smesko also deserves recognition after leading the Atlanta Dream to their best season in franchise history.
Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers
Bueckers looked like a veteran as soon as she stepped on the WNBA floor. Her mid-range is already elite, post game, ability to control pace, make plays for her teammates and ability to collect steals and deflections made her the clear top rookie in a strong class. Bueckers also averaged 19.2 PPG, the highest by a rookie in franchise history and third all-time in rookie points, third in rookie assists, and tied for the second-most double-digit scoring games by a rookie.
Sonia Citron also deserves recognition after her incredible performance this season, but it’s hard to think about this award not going to Bueckers.
All-Rookie Team
Paige Bueckers
Sonia Citron
Kiki Iriafen
Dominique Malonga
Janelle Salaün
6th Player of the Year: Naz Hillmon
Hillmon was truly a sixth starter for the Atlanta Dream. Even coming off the bench, her value was the same as the starters. She was the glue of the team by doing things that didn’t show up in the box scores. Hillmon brought toughness, rebounding, and consistency to her team’s second unit.
Natisha Hiedeman’s performance the last two months deserves consideration but I ultimately stayed with the selection of Hillmon.
Most Improved Player: Veronica Burton
Burton is a game manager who doesn’t turn the ball over and locks up on defense, a true coach’s point guard. I always said she’s a starter in this league since her time in Dallas. Burton found a team that let her play her game and took a massive leap in production. Burton is now a top point guard in the WNBA and it’s not just due to minutes and stats, but the confidence and vocal leadership she’s gained with Golden State. Burton is a two-way guard who helped lead the Valkyries to the playoffs in their first season of existence.
Burton was the only choice for me here, this award was for her this season.
All-WNBA
First Team
Napheesa Collier
A’ja Wilson
Alyssa Thomas
Allisha Gray
Kelsey Mitchell
Second Team
Jackie Young
Paige Bueckers
Nneka Ogwumike
Sabrina Ionescu
Aliyah Boston
Collier, Wilson, and Thomas were locks as the top three candidates for MVP. Gray and Mitchell rounded out my All-WNBA First Team due to their standout production this season.
The second team was tough to select as there were more players who were worthy. I ended up selecting the additional five players who stood out to me this season in Young, Bueckers, Ogwumike, Ionescu and Boston.