A’ja Wilson’s case for being the GOAT in women’s basketball is gaining momentum as the Las Vegas Aces chase a fourth WNBA title in five years. The 29-year-old Wilson, who is in her prime, has already achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the league’s first four-time MVP and the first WNBA player to be named the top player, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and lead the league in scoring in the same season. Her success has been the Aces’ success, with Las Vegas coming off its third championship in four seasons. If the Aces win another title this year, they would join the Comets, Minnesota Lynx, and Seattle Storm as the only franchises to win four overall. They would also join the Comets as the only teams to win four times in five years, mirroring Houston’s early dominance in the WNBA.
What makes Wilson’s case particularly compelling is her focus on the daily process since being drafted No. 1 out of South Carolina in 2018. She has worked hard to earn her current status, but remains grounded, saying, "I have no idea because in my mind I have a lot more winning to do."
Her athletic ability is unquestioned, with the 6-foot-4 post player averaging 21.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots over her eight-year career. But greatness isn’t just about accumulating numbers. Wilson showed her commitment to the team in two notable moments last season. One was her game-winning turnaround jumper over two defenders with 0.3 seconds left to win Game 3 at Phoenix and set up a four-game WNBA Finals sweep.
The other, perhaps even more important action, occurred behind the scenes. After a 53-point defeat to Minnesota, Wilson texted her teammates to say that they might as well not show up anymore if they were not embarrassed by that performance. The team was, and the league was in trouble. The Aces then rolled off 16 consecutive victories on the way to winning another championship.
Wilson’s leadership and accountability have been key to the Aces’ success. As Aces coach Becky Hammon said, "A’ja’s a great leader because she does it herself first. Any time you have a leader that works by example first, holds herself accountable to the highest standard, then she has two legs to stand on with the group about holding others accountable."
Six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd, who was traded to the Aces last year after helping the Storm win two titles, agreed with Hammon’s assessment. "She wants the best out of each and every person here no matter if you’re the security guy at the front or you’re Chelsea Gray. She takes good ownership, and that’s what you want as your leader. As someone who’s the face of women’s basketball, you want that as an ambassador."
Wilson’s success has been supported by a strong supporting cast off the court, including her mother and boyfriend Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. But she remains focused on the next task, knowing that the Aces will again get every opponent’s best shot. As Wilson said, "We’ve been the hunted with the Aces before we even got banners and rings, so it’s a part of who we are. We try to let our newcomers know when you put this jersey on, it’s a different feel and I love it. It brings the competitor out of everybody. So, yeah, we’re definitely going to be the hunted, but we’re the hunters as well."
In summary, A’ja Wilson’s case for being the GOAT in women’s basketball is gaining momentum, and the Las Vegas Aces are well-positioned to continue their success and build their legacy.
