She shared the accolade with Queensland Firebirds shooter Natalie Medhurst yesterday after a season in which both were outstanding for their respective sides.
For de Bruin, the award was a huge honour, but one she would trade for a place in Sunday's final.
"I'm very happy but a place in the final is a big thing," she said, adding winning the netball world championships later this year was the biggest prize of all.
"But it is nice to get a reward for a bit of hard work."
Game after game, de Bruin was a tower of strength at the back.
Her wholehearted approach and ability to shut down the competition's leading shooters, swoop on loose ball, deflect passes and pick up turnovers drew wide praise.
"I did feel like I had a good season but there are so many good players in the competition that are performing week in and week out. So I didn't really expect it."
After each game, selectors assign points to the three best players. The title is awarded to the player who accumulates the most points by the end of the season.
De Bruin and Medhurst received 18 votes, with Romelda Aiken (Firebirds), Caitlin Bassett (West Coast Fever) and Natalie von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds) all tied on 16 points.
Last year, Steel wing attack Liana Leota claimed the prize with 36 points, beating out New South Wales Swifts defender Rebecca Bulley (30) and de Bruin and Thunderbirds shooter Carla Borrego (29). Aiken won the title in 2009 and shared it with Sonia Mkoloma (Central Pulse) in 2008.
De Bruin has been remarkably consistent during the past two years. The South African-born goal keep shifted south from the Magic in 2010 and has rarely put a foot wrong since.
But her contract with the Steel expires when the season is complete and the 1.9m athlete will wait and see who replaces incumbent coach Robyn Broughton before deciding where she will play next season.
"I haven't really thought about it too much. At the moment, I'm concentrating on getting ready for the Silver Ferns."
Of course, there is a chance she might miss the season altogether.
Her son Caleb is 19 months old and it might be the right time to expand the family once the world championships have concluded.
"In the future, I'm sure," de Bruin responded when asked if she had any plans to add to the family.
"I'm still enjoying myself and I think it is a great competition to be involved with. So I can't really see myself not being involved [next year]," she said.
