The WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year award honors the best defensive player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball as determined by the coaches.
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.
- Current-season, 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 Awards Committee.
Past Recipients
2024 — Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
2023 — Cameron Brink, Stanford
2022 — Veronica Burton, Northwestern
2021 — Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State
2020 — DiDi Richards, Baylor
2019 — Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State
2018 — Kia Nurse, Connecticut
2017 — Gabby Williams, Connecticut
2016 — Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut
2015 — Elizabeth Williams, Duke
2014 — Stefanie Dolson, Connecticut
2013 — Brittney Griner, Baylor
2012 — Brittney Griner, Baylor
2011 — Brittney Griner, Baylor
2010 — Monica Wright, Virginia
2009 — Jennifer Risper, Vanderbilt
2008 — Sylvia Fowles, LSU
2007 — Lindsey Harding, Duke