A’ja Wilson, the star center of the Las Vegas Aces, has etched her name in the WNBA history books by becoming the second player ever to win the league’s MVP award as a unanimous choice.
This remarkable achievement came on Sunday when she garnered all 67 first-place votes, amassing an impressive 670 points from a media panel. The only other player to achieve this feat was Houston guard Cynthia Cooper, who was the unanimous MVP in 1997.
Wilson’s stellar performance this season saw her lead the league in multiple categories, including scoring with an average of 26.9 points per game, blocks (2.6), Player Efficiency Rating (34.9), and Win Shares (10.9). Her scoring average is the highest in WNBA history, surpassing Diana Taurasi’s 25.3 points per game set in 2006.
The 6-foot-4 superstar also set a new record for rebounds in a single season, finishing with 451 boards. Wilson became the first WNBA player to score over 1,000 points in a season, ending with a total of 1,021.
Her dominance was evident, as she scored at least 20 points in 89.5% of her games, another league record.
Before this triumphant season, Wilson had previously won the MVP award in 2020 and 2022. Following a close MVP race last year, she returned to the court with renewed determination, leading her team to the 2022 and 2023 WNBA championships.
She was also named WNBA Finals MVP last season.
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson, stating:
“A’ja is a great example of making everybody great around her. She’s the greatest because she’s authentically committed to pulling greatness out of other people.”
Wilson’s achievements this season solidify her place among WNBA legends, joining the ranks of retired players Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, each of whom has won the MVP award three times.
As the Aces prepare for the playoffs, where they hold the No. 4 seed and will face the No. 5 Seattle Storm in the first round, Wilson’s focus remains clear: to continue her legacy of excellence on and off the court.
