The WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year Award honors the best defensive player in NCAA Division I women's basketball. The award is presented each season during the WBCA Awards Show which is held in conjunction with the WBCA National Convention.
Eligibility
The defensive player of the year in each NCAA Division I conference is eligible for the award. A conference that does not select a defensive player of the year may nominate one player to represent the conference.
Criteria
□ Must be an NCAA Division I conference defensive player of the year or be nominated by the conference if it does not select a defensive player of the year
□ Present-year game-by-game statistics (steals, defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds, blocked shots, and offensive charges)
□ Other Awards/Achievements
Nomination
Each conference communications director submits to the WBCA office the name of their defensive player of the year or nominee along with the statistics and other information listed in the criteria above.
Selection
The recipient is selected from the conference defensive players of the year/nominees by the WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year Selection Committee.
Past Recipients
2024 - Kamilla Cardoso, University of South Carolina
2023 - Cameron Brink, Stanford University
2022 - Veronica Burton, Northwestern University
2021 - Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State University
2020 - DiDi Richards, Baylor University
2019 - Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State University
2018 - Kia Nurse, University of Connecticut
2017 - Gabby Williams, University of Connecticut
2016 - Moriah Jefferson, University of Connecticut
2015 - Elizabeth Williams, Duke University
2014 - Stefanie Dolson, University of Connecticut
2013 - Brittney Griner, Baylor University
2012 - Brittney Griner, Baylor University
2011 - Brittney Griner, Baylor University
2010 - Monica Wright, University of Virginia
2009 - Jennifer Risper, Vanderbilt University
2008 - Sylvia Fowles, Louisiana State University
2007 - Lindsey Harding, Duke University