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If it wasn’t clear already, the news that A’ja Wilson earned the 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player title, her third time achieving the award, cemented it: Wilson is having a major year. The center is currently in the playoffs with the Las Vegas Aces, with sights on another championship win and a possible three-peat. And the announcement of her MVP status (yet again!) solidifies her standing as one of the top players for the Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA.
A native of Hopkins, South Carolina, Wilson majored in broadcasting while playing basketball under Coach Dawn Staley at the University of South Carolina, who she still credits with much of her success. In fact, when accepting the 2024 MVP award, Wilson thanked her family, teammates, her South Carolina roots, and both Coach Staley and Las Vegas Aces Coach Becky Hammon. “I truly wouldn’t be standing here today without the hard work and sacrifices made by all those people…” Wilson said in her speech, per ESPN. “It’s humbling to walk a path paved by so many legends of this game, those who made this league what it is today.”
Whether you’re already a fan or you’re just starting to catch up to Wilson’s dominance, here are some facts about her most recent MVP award, the other accolades she’s earned during this season and her career, and the inspiring work she’s been doing outside of her sport.
A’ja Wilson’s MVP Title
This is Wilson’s second consecutive MVP title and her third overall (she first won in 2020). She received a staggering 60 first-place votes, per the WNBA, making her win a unanimous decision. To put into perspective how incredible the achievement is: Wilson is only the fourth player in the league’s history to tally up three MVP awards, putting her in a class with WNBA greats Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. And Wilson is the second WNBA player to ever get a unanimous decision for MVP, the first having been bestowed in the WNBA’s inaugural season, back in 1997, to Houston guard Cynthia Cooper.
A’ja Wilson’s Scoring Records
Looking back at this season alone, Wilson has broken multiple records, including the highest scoring average at 26.9 (which had previously been held by Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi for her 2006 season, per ESPN) and the most rebounds in a season at 451 boards, according to The New York Times (breaking the record set by Angel Reese). She’s also the first WNBA player to score over 1,000 points in one season, ultimately racking up 1,021 points in the regular season, according to ESPN. And Wilson tied the current record for the highest amount of points scored in a single game during the regular WNBA season (53, which she accomplished in a game against the Atlanta Dream).
In the league, Wilson topped the charts in her points, rebounds, and blocks, which speaks volumes to her all-around gameplay style and GOAT status.
A’ja Wilson as a Team Leader
Wilson’s story isn’t necessarily one of an underdog. After being the first-overall draft pick in 2018, Wilson has continued to rise, achieving accolades like All-Star selections. But far from holding herself apart, she’s become known for being a leader for the Las Vegas Aces, and for the emphasis she puts on her team and social support system.
“I’m going to go out there and try to be the best — I get y’all saying the best player in the world, that’s great, it looks great. But I want to be the best person. I want to be the best teammate. Because that’s how I get the best out of my team,” Wilson said in a post-game interview after a rare loss to the New York Liberty back in June, according to a clip posted by ESPNW. “I don’t want to be great for you guys [the media]. But I want to be great for my team. I want to be great for this franchise.”
A’ja Wilson’s Community Work
Off the court, Wilson focuses on community building and empowerment, and has been a leader advocating for social justice. Her book, “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You” became a New York Times bestseller, and she founded her own organization, the A’ja Wilson Foundation, to empower those who struggle with dyslexia. She aims to use her platform to inspire change, particularly for the next generation.
As the unanimous decision to award Wilson the MVP title for a third time demonstrates, very few people question the star player’s achievements. She’s an MVP, and her continual pursuit of excellence and drive to be better are setting the standard and raising the bar for the W and her community. We’re sure we’re not alone when we say that we can’t wait to see what’s next.
Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.