Quick Read
- A’ja Wilson becomes first player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards.
- Wilson led the Las Vegas Aces to a dramatic 16-game winning streak.
- She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
- Wilson won both MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025.
- At 29, she has two championships and is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
A’ja Wilson Makes WNBA History With Fourth MVP Award
On September 21, 2025, Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson stood alone atop the WNBA’s pantheon. After a season marked by resilience, dominance, and a remarkable late surge, Wilson was named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the fourth time—a feat no player before her has achieved. According to ESPN, Wilson’s latest accolade cements her status as not just a generational talent, but as a trailblazer rewriting the records of women’s basketball.
From Disappointment to Dominance: Aces’ Stunning Turnaround
The beginning of the 2025 season was anything but smooth for Wilson and the Aces. By late July, Las Vegas languished below .500, their playoff hopes clouded by inconsistency and a stunning 53-point home loss to the Minnesota Lynx—the second-largest defeat in league history. At that moment, Wilson was barely mentioned in MVP conversations. The team’s morale was low, and the spotlight shone elsewhere, particularly on Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, who seemed destined for the award.
But adversity often reveals character. When Collier suffered a late-season ankle injury, Wilson seized the opportunity to elevate her game. The Aces responded to their historic loss not with resignation, but with resolve. What followed was one of the most dramatic comebacks the WNBA has ever seen: a 16-game winning streak, the second-longest in league history, catapulting Las Vegas from eighth to second place in the standings. Wilson was the driving force behind this transformation, her performances growing more dominant as the stakes rose.
Statistical Brilliance and Unmatched Consistency
Wilson’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass in two-way basketball. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game, leading the WNBA in points, rebounds, and blocks. Her 13 30-point games set a new single-season record, and she became the first player in league history to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in multiple seasons. The Aces finished the regular season with a 30-14 record and locked up the No. 2 playoff seed.
Wilson’s impact was felt on both ends of the court. Earlier in the week, she was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year alongside Alanna Smith of the Lynx—the first time the award has ever been split. This marked the first season Wilson has won both MVP and Defensive Player honors, underlining her all-around excellence. Her defensive stats were equally impressive, finishing fourth in steals and first in blocks, while anchoring the Aces’ defense through their late-season push.
A Legacy Forged in Awards and Records
At just 29 years old, Wilson’s resume already rivals the greatest to ever play the game. With four MVPs, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, two WNBA championships, a Finals MVP, seven All-Star appearances, five (soon to be six) All-WNBA honors, four (soon to be five) All-Defensive honors, two scoring titles, five blocks leader seasons, and the Rookie of the Year trophy, her trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams. She is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist, further cementing her status as a global basketball icon.
Wilson now stands alone, surpassing legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson—each three-time MVPs. She is only the second player to win consecutive MVPs, joining Cynthia Cooper (1997 and 1998). Her relentless pursuit of excellence and her ability to elevate her game when it matters most have fueled debates about her place in history. Becky Hammon, the Aces’ head coach, voiced what many have begun to believe: “If she’s the best ever to play in the WNBA, I could make a strong argument she is the best ever to walk this planet.” (CBSSports)
Wilson’s Impact Beyond the Stats
Numbers tell a part of Wilson’s story, but her influence extends far beyond the box score. She’s become a role model for young athletes, a leader on and off the court, and an ambassador for the women’s game. Her presence has helped elevate the visibility of the WNBA, inspiring new generations to dream bigger and play harder. In a league still fighting for mainstream recognition and equity, Wilson’s achievements shine a light on the possibilities that exist when talent meets tenacity.
The 2025 playoffs hold yet another promise: with the Aces surging and Wilson in peak form, a third championship could be within reach. As Las Vegas prepares to face the Indiana Fever in the semifinals, the basketball world watches—knowing they are witnessing history in real time.
Redefining Greatness: The Wilson Era
Eight seasons into her career and not yet 30, Wilson’s trajectory suggests her reign is far from over. Her sustained excellence, adaptability, and leadership have set a new standard for greatness in the WNBA. The records she’s broken and the hardware she’s accumulated are a testament to her relentless drive and unyielding commitment to her craft.
As the season’s drama unfolds and the postseason battles intensify, one thing is clear: A’ja Wilson isn’t just collecting awards—she’s defining what it means to be the best.
Wilson’s historic fourth MVP isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a seismic shift in women’s basketball, challenging old hierarchies and setting new benchmarks for what is possible. Her dominance, especially in the face of adversity, has redefined the league’s standards and inspired a generation to pursue excellence with courage and conviction.