People close to the situation say Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has won the WNBA defensive player of the year award for the second straight season.
A person says the 6-oof-8 Griner will receive her award Thursday night before Phoenix's playoff opener against Tulsa in the Western Conference semifinals. The people spoke to The Associated Press Thursday morning on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.
Griner became the first player in league history to average at least four blocks a game with 105 in just 26 contests. She was suspended for the first seven games of the season following a domestic violence arrest.
She becomes the fifth player to win the award in multiple seasons. Tamika Catchings won it five times and Sheryl Swoopes three. Teresa Weatherspoon and Sylvia Fowles have won it twice.
