Culver City Observer -

The WNBA announced today that Jordin Canada has earned 2023 WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors and Nneka Ogwumike has earned Second Team honors.

"I'm excited for both Jordin and Nneka to be recognized for their outstanding defensive performances this season," Head Coach Curt Miller said. "They spearheaded our disruptive philosophy and helped us establish our defensive foundation for the future."

Canada has been selected to the All-Defensive First Team for the second time in her career. She led the league with 2.3 steals per game, guiding a Sparks defense that led the WNBA in steals. In 2023, Canada set the Sparks single-season steals record with 86 steals, passing Alana Beard's record of 71 set in 2017.

Ogwumike was selected to the All-Defensive Team for the sixth time in her career. In 2023, she set the all-time steals record in Sparks franchise history. She finished sixth per game in both steals (1.7) and rebounds (8.8).

"Jordin is a relentless defender and was tasked with defending the opponent's best perimeter guard each game, cementing herself as one of the premier guard defenders in the league," Miller added. "Nneka was our anchor in the post, having one of her best defensive rebounding seasons of her career, while continuing her standard of excellence on the defensive end."

As a team, the Sparks ranked fourth in the league in Defensive Rating, and were the No. 1 defense in the league post All-Star Break.