MINNEAPOLIS — Napheesa Collier was named WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and Cheryl Reeve won Coach of the Year on Sunday.
Collier won the defensive award for the first time, receiving 36 votes from a 67-person national media panel. A’ja Wilson finished second with 26 votes.
The Lynx star ranked second in the league in steals per game (1.91), she was fourth in defensive rebounds per game (7.5) and seventh in blocks per game (1.41) , finishing with career highs in both categories.
She helped Minnesota finish second in the league in defensive rating (94.8) and fewest points allowed (75.6).
Collier led the Lynx to the league’s second-best record (30-10) under Reeve, who won the coaching award for a fourth time, a file. Reeve received 62 of 67 votes for coach of the year. Sandy Brondello of New York received four votes and Christie Sides of Indiana received one.
Reeve also won the WNBA Basketball Government of the 12 months award for the second time. Talisa Rhea of the Seattle Storm finished second.
Reeve broke ties with Van Chancellor of the Houston Comets (1997-99) and Mike Thibault of the Connecticut Solar and Washington Mystics (2006, 2008 and 2013), who each won Coach of the Year at three times. Reeve has previously been honored in 2011, 2016 and 2020.
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