A'ja Wilson makes history with fourth WNBA MVP award

For the fourth time in her career, A’ja Wilson has won the WNBA’s MVP award. She’s the first player in league history to accomplish this feat.
Finalists for the award included Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell and Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas. It was reportedly a tight battle between Wilson and Collier. Wilson is the only player in this group to have previously won the award.
Before this season, the Las Vegas Aces star was tied with Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson with three MVP awards a piece. Wilson is also the second player in WNBA history to be awarded the honor in consecutive seasons, joining Cynthia Cooper. The pair are also the only unanimous MVP selections in league history (1997 and 2024, respectively).
Wilson’s first MVP award came in 2020. Her second was in 2022 before winning it back-to-back for the last two WNBA seasons.
“By the time it’s all said and done, she will be the greatest to ever do it,” Aces coach Becky Hammon told ESPN’s Michael Voepel, via ESPN. “Four [MVPs] already says she is. In a league that has continued to get much better, she keeps getting better.
“You’re watching poetry in motion. You’re watching history. And she’s just 29 years old. She could win four more of these by the time she is finished.”
Top 10
- 1New
Vanderbilt field storm
SEC announces fine decision
- 2Hot
More sign-stealing?
Lane Kiffin singles out OU
- 3
Bryant Wesco injury
Dabo Swinney reveals severity
- 4Trending
DJ Lagway
Addresses his future at Florida
- 5
Mike Elko
Shreds media over PSU question
Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Her WNBA MVP selection comes after she won the league’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year award alongside with Lynx forward Alanna Smith. It is Wilson’s third DPOY selection, previously winning the award in 2022 and 2023.
During the regular season, Wilson averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks while leading the Aces to a 30-14 record. Las Vegas won its last 16 regular season games before their streak was snapped against the Seattle Storm in Game 2 of the opening round of the WNBA playoffs.
The Aces would win the series in three games and are currently in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs against the Indiana Fever. Game 1 is set to tip on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Wilson is chasing her third WNBA championship in her career, and third in the last four seasons. Las Vegas previously won in 2022 and 2023 but were eliminated earlier than anticipated last season. They’ll hope to avoid an early exit against the Fever in the best of five series.