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Collier, Smith named to WNBA All-Defensive First Team

Originally posted on Bring Me The News
By Jonathan Harrison | Last updated Oct 8, 2025 3:55 PM ET

Lynx stars Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith were named to the 2025 WNBA All-Defensive First Team on Wednesday.

Smith, 29, was named co-Defensive Player of the Year in September along with Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson. It is the first time she has earned First Team honors, having earned Second Team honors in 2024.

In her second season with the Lynx, Smith set a new franchise record with 80 blocks, which ranked third in the WNBA. She helped anchor one of the league's best defenses as Minnesota entered the playoffs with the No. 1 seed.

Smith finished the season with a 96.4 defensive rating, which was second best in the league, only behind Wilson.

Your 2025 WNBA All-Defensive First Team

Napheesa Collier | MIN
Alanna Smith | MIN
Alyssa Thomas | PHX
Gabby Williams | SEA
A’ja Wilson | LVA #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/yky4BSoSWS
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 8, 2025

It is the second time in her career that Collier has earned First Team honors (2024). She has been named All-Defensive Second Team twice, in 2020 and 2023. Collier finished runner-up in MVP voting this season for the second season in a row.

Collier finished the 2025 season 11th in rebounds per game (7.3), fifth in steals (1.6), and fifth in blocks (1.5). Her 2.7 Defensive Win Shares was fourth-best in the league in 2025.

Minnesota's defensive rating (100.0) was the best in the league. The Lynx finished second in points allowed per game (76.7), second in steals (8.2), and third in blocks (4.8).

In the first round of the WNBA playoffs, the Lynx eliminated the Golden State Valkyries 2-0. However, Minnesota came up just short of a return to the WNBA Finals after being eliminated in the semifinals by the Phoenix Mercury, losing 3-1.

This article first appeared on Bring Me The News and was syndicated with permission.

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