A’ja Wilson Achieves Another Milestone in WNBA History
On Thursday, A’ja Wilson reached an impressive milestone, becoming the first player in WNBA history to be named MVP five times. This remarkable athlete from the Las Vegas Aces has now secured the prestigious award in three consecutive seasons, marking her fourth MVP title in five years—a record-breaking achievement.
Aces coach Becky Hammon expressed her belief that Wilson’s track record places her among the game’s all-time greats. Beyond her WNBA success, Wilson also claimed an NCAA Division I national championship while playing at South Carolina.
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Hammon has made bold statements about Wilson’s standing in the sport, saying, “Take her off Mount Rushmore—she’s Everest. Now, I’m taking her off Everest, and I have to put her on a different planet. She just has all of it.” She further emphasized that while talent is essential, it doesn’t automatically lead to the sustained success Wilson has experienced. “You can be highly skilled and not achieve what she has,” Hammon noted.
Even if this season’s stats might not be the most eye-catching of her career, Wilson’s performance has been dominant. She averaged 26.2 points per game, leading the league in scoring, while also recording a league-high 79 blocks. Additionally, she ranked among the top five in rebounds per game—though that title went to Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese this year, who averaged an impressive 12.1 rebounds per game.
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Now holding her fourth MVP title, Wilson has surpassed legendary players like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who shared the previous record for most MVP awards. Between 2000 and 2010, those three stars primarily won the award, with a couple of exceptions for Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.
In the broader context of basketball history, only Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan have won at least five MVPs in the NBA. With this fifth MVP, Wilson joins this elite group of basketball legends.
Expressing her gratitude and excitement, Wilson said during a press conference, “If you’re able to set a standard, if you’re able to rewrite things, and kind of etch yourself into history books, it means a lot. I’m so grateful that I can share these moments with so many different people.” There’s something special about setting a benchmark for others to aspire to.
Receiving nearly unanimous support, Wilson was the clear favorite for the MVP, securing all but nine of the first-place votes. Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles came in second, while Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell followed. Remarkably, Mitchell’s teammate Caitlin Clark scored the last first-place vote and ended up in fourth.
A’ja Wilson now faces a new challenge as she steers the Aces through uncharted territory. They must become the first team in WNBA history to overcome a 2-0 playoff series deficit against the Golden State Valkyries. If they manage to pull off a comeback, it will certainly solidify her legacy in the sport.
Game 3 is set for Friday night, with the series returning to Las Vegas.
