Former UConn stars Napheesa Collier, Gabby Williams headline WNBA All-Defensive teams

08/10 20:02

The WNBA announced its 2025 All-Defensive teams on Wednesday, featuring three standout former UConn women's basketball players among the honorees.

Seattle Storm guard Gabby Williams earned a spot on the first team for the first time in her seven-year career, after previously being on the second team in 2022. In her first full season since 2022, Williams nearly tied the WNBA's single-season steals record, falling just one short of Teresa Weatherspoon's 100 steals from 1998. She joined Weatherspoon and Tamika Catchings as the only players to record over 90 steals in a season, led the league with 2.3 steals per game in 2025, and set a Storm franchise record with eight steals in a single game against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 17.

Napheesa Collier, a former UConn teammate and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, also made the first team. She anchored the Minnesota Lynx's top-ranked defense, averaging career-highs of 1.5 blocks and 1.6 steals, along with 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Collier tied the WNBA record for most steals in a quarter with five against the Storm on May 27, and was one of only two players, alongside league MVP A'ja Wilson, to rank in the top five for both blocks and steals, while also placing third in defensive rating.

The first team was rounded out by A'ja Wilson and Lynx center Alanna Smith, who were named the 2025 Co-Defensive Players of the Year, as well as Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas.

On the second team, UConn legend Breanna Stewart extended her six-year streak of All-Defensive recognitions, despite missing 13 games due to a right knee injury. She averaged 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game, ranking in the top 10 for defensive rating, and became the first New York Liberty player to earn three All-Defensive nods, with previous first-team selections in 2023 and 2024. The second team also included Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston, Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, and Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard.