A’ja Wilson fine-tunes her shooting touch following every practice. That little bit of extra work has defined her greatness since being drafted first overall in 2018. Her relentless dedication to the sport is evident in her performance, making her a standout player in the WNBA.
On Thursday, she received a voice message from former Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating her on redefining greatness leaguewide after she was named WNBA MVP for a third straight year and for the fifth time overall. This recognition from such a prominent figure underscores the significance of Wilson’s achievements, not only in sports but in inspiring young athletes everywhere.
“Obviously, that is an honor,” Wilson said. “A woman of our history, and I’m so appreciative to be able to share that moment with her through the phone call and the message of her delivering that I won my fifth MVP.” This moment reflects the growing recognition and celebration of women in sports, highlighting the progress that has been made.
In addition to becoming the first player in WNBA history to three-peat as MVP, Wilson previously won the award in 2020 and 2022. Her consistency and excellence on the court have set new standards for performance in the league.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Aces owner Mark Davis, and team president Nikki Fargas accompanied Wilson’s mother, Eva, who presented her daughter with the trophy. “Each one of these has not been taken lightly,” Wilson said, flanked by all five of her MVP trophies. “In my heart, they’ve always been so special. But this one here, I cried a little bit harder. This one here is just a little bit different…”
Reflecting on her journey, Wilson shared, “When you dream as a young girl, your dream is so big, and you write your goals out, and you just never imagine that you were able to just check them off. And when you’re able to check them off — small wins, big wins — it truly means a lot.” Her words resonate with many aspiring athletes who dream of achieving greatness.
At 30 years old, Wilson once again led the league in scoring with an impressive average of 26.2 points per game while shooting nearly 53% from the field. Additionally, she averaged 9.4 rebounds, a career-best 3.2 assists, and 1.9 blocks, showcasing her all-around contribution to her team’s success.
Currently, Wilson has the defending champion Aces back in the WNBA semifinals for the eighth consecutive season, although Las Vegas is down 2-0 in the best-of-five series against Golden State. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, where Wilson’s competitive spirit will undoubtedly shine through.
“This is great, I love it, not going to take for granted, shine her up, let’s do it,” Wilson stated. “But tomorrow, when it comes to hoisting it in front of the fans, I love the fans … but I doubt I will be doing that. I’ll be warming up with my team. … Everyone in this room knows the competitor that I am. Everyone knows what my main focus is, and that is to get a game.” This statement reflects her commitment to her team and the sport, emphasizing that her aspirations extend beyond individual accolades.
Wilson received 65 first-place votes and nine second-place votes for a total of 713 points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota’s Olivia Miles received six first-place votes and 40 second-place votes (442 points), while Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark followed with 287 and 212 points, respectively. This voting outcome highlights the competitive nature of the league and the respect Wilson commands among her peers.
No WNBA player besides Wilson has more than three MVPs, with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson each having a trio. On the NBA side, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had six, and Michael Jordan and Bill Russell each had five, placing Wilson in an elite category of athletes.
“A’ja Wilson is one of one,” Fargas stated. “She’s now standing in a category that no other WNBA player in the history of the league has accomplished. She’s in the conversations with the Michael Jordans and the Wayne Gretzkys of the world — where she belongs.” This statement not only recognizes Wilson’s achievements but also emphasizes the importance of her influence on the game as a whole.
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Feinberg reported from New York.
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See AP’s full WNBA coverage here
