A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces has made history by winning the WNBA Most Valuable Player award for an unprecedented fourth time. This remarkable achievement places her among the elite players in the league’s history, as she joins only a select group who have earned the accolade multiple times. Wilson was recognized as the unanimous MVP last season, and she previously won the award in 2020 and 2022. The only players to have won the award three times are Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.
“I don’t think I could ever put into words how special this moment is,” Wilson said shortly before Game 1 of the WNBA semifinal series against Indiana. “My name is in the history books forever.” This emotional reflection illustrates the significance of her accomplishment, as she becomes only the second player to earn a unanimous MVP title, following Cynthia Cooper, who won the award in the league’s inaugural years in 1997 and 1998.
The 29-year-old forward led the league in scoring during the regular season with an impressive average of 23.4 points per game, alongside 2.3 blocks per game. Wilson’s contributions propelled the Aces to an outstanding finish, winning their last 16 regular-season games and securing the No. 2 seed for the playoffs. For the second consecutive season, she maintained averages of at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal per game, a feat no other WNBA player has achieved in a season with at least 15 games played.
Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson’s talent and potential, saying, “The fact she’s not even 30 yet is crazy. She still has a lot left in the tank.” Hammon acknowledged that Wilson continues to refine her game each season, making her an even more formidable player.
The WNBA surprised Wilson with the MVP trophy during practice, where Cathy Engelbert, the WNBA Commissioner, and her boyfriend, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, presented the award. An emotional Wilson addressed her teammates, saying, “They counted us out. They wrote us all off, but we showed up every single day. We worked our (butts) off. It has my name on it, but it’s all of us.”
In addition to her MVP recognition, Wilson was also named the league’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the third time in four seasons, sharing the honor with Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx. Napheesa Collier from the Lynx finished as the runner-up for the MVP award for the second consecutive year, receiving 18 first-place votes. The top five MVP candidates included Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury in third, Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream in fourth, and Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever in fifth.
In other news from the WNBA, the Seattle Storm announced that coach Noelle Quinn will not return for the next season following the team’s early exit in the playoffs. The Storm concluded the regular season in seventh place and were eliminated in a decisive Game 3 against the Aces. Quinn was notable for being the league’s only Black female head coach this season, following the departures of Teresa Weatherspoon of the Chicago Sky and Tanisha Wright of the Atlanta Dream at the end of the 2024 season.
Wilson’s historic achievement not only highlights her exceptional skills and dedication but also sets a new benchmark in WNBA history, inspiring both players and fans alike.
