WNBA awards and predictions 2018: Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson, and more take home preseason honors

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury heads out to the court before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2017 WNBA Playoffs on September 17, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury heads out to the court before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game Three of the Semifinals during the 2017 WNBA Playoffs on September 17, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 04: Sylvia Fowles #34 of the Minnesota Lynx is announced the 2017 Finals MVP after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 5 of the 2017 WNBA Finals on October 4, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathan Klok/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 04: Sylvia Fowles #34 of the Minnesota Lynx is announced the 2017 Finals MVP after the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 5 of the 2017 WNBA Finals on October 4, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathan Klok/NBAE via Getty Images)

Defensive Player of the Year: Sylvia Fowles, Lynx

When we last left Sylvia Fowles, she was the WNBA MVP and a member of the 2017 WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx. No one would be shocked if either (or both) happened again in 2018. But at the very least, she is the favorite to be the best defensive player in the league. Fowles’ block percentage (5.2) was second only to Brittney Griner, her defensive rating (92.7) was best of any player who averaged at least 25 minutes, and her rebounding percentage (20.5) was good for third-best in the league.

Also considered: Glory Johnson, Breanna Stewart, Brittney Griner, Tina Charles