A’ja Wilson Makes History: Four-Time WNBA MVP
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has cemented her legacy in the WNBA by becoming the first player to win the MVP award for the fourth time. The announcement, made on Sunday, marks a significant milestone in her career and in the history of the league. Wilson, who had already been awarded the MVP twice in a row, surpassed Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx in a close competition. Wilson obtained 51 first-place votes and accumulated a total of 657 points, surpassing Collier, who received 18 first-place votes and 534 points. Other outstanding players such as Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury, Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream, and Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever were also finalists for the prestigious award. Wilson’s emotion was palpable when he received the trophy, presented by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and her partner, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. “It hasn’t been easy for us. We were written off,” Wilson told his teammates. “But we proved our worth every day… This has my name on it, but it’s thanks to all of you.”This new recognition places Wilson above legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who won the MVP three times. Wilson also joins Cynthia Cooper as the only players to be unanimously selected MVP. At 29 years old, Wilson was also named MVP in 2020 and 2022. The other finalists had not won the award previously. “She was a girl who didn’t even like sports. I didn’t want to play; I don’t like to sweat, but now my name is in the history books forever,” Wilson stated. “These are the moments when I say, ‘No, this is the reason you get up every morning and do what you do.'” Collier, for her part, achieved a regular season with a 50-40-90 shooting percentage, a historic achievement in the WNBA. Wilson led the WNBA with an average of 23.4 points and 2.3 blocks per game, in addition to 10.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. She was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year along with Alanna Smith of the Lynx. Becky Hammon, Wilson’s coach, expressed her admiration, stating that Wilson is destined to be the best of all time. “You’re watching poetry in motion. You’re watching history. And she’s only 29 years old. She could win four more of these when she’s done.” Wilson highlighted that this season was a different challenge due to the Aces’ initial difficulties, but that the team gained great momentum in August, with a streak of 17 consecutive victories. “She guided us through very turbulent waters,” Hammon said. The Aces finished the regular season with a 30-14 record and placed second in the Conference. Wilson and the Aces face the Indiana Fever in the semifinals, and they have already lost the first game. “My main goal is exactly what we need to do today, which is to win against a very good Indiana Fever team,” Wilson stated before the game.“There is no Mount Rushmore. You are the only one. You are Everest.”
Becky Hammon, Aces coach, on A’ja Wilson
