A’ja Wilson has done it all—MVPs, WNBA championships, Olympic gold, you name it. She’s been the face of the Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA itself. But you know what her teammates admire the most? It’s not the accolades but her humility. And it’s what she did right after winning the 2024 MVP title. Kelsey Plum, one of A’ja’s closest teammates, recently revealed how the Aces Center didn’t make it all about herself.
“I have said this countless times, but it’s A’ja’s humility,” the 2024 WNBA champion shared. “She could be a diva, a brat, but she just chooses joy. She’s always trying to get the best out of people.” She even remembers everyone’s birthdays, brings cakes or donuts, and pays attention to all those little things that matter. The next thing Plum mentioned is something you won’t see most superstars doing.
“When she won MVP, she talked individually to every single person about how that they’ve impacted her in the room,” she said. According to Kelsey, “Going to war, I want someone who isn’t afraid of the moment. That’s A’ja. It takes big balls, and I respect that a lot.” But indeed, Wilson and Plum are one of the most iconic duos in the WNBA.
It’s a game-changer when you have two players who can work so seamlessly together. It’s this relationship that has helped the Aces be so competitive. Plum’s sharp shooting and Wilson’s inside dominance create a combination that’s hard for any team to counter. Then you have the talents of Jackie Young and former Finals MVP, Chelsea Gray. No wonder they keep winning.
This season, despite some bumps along the way, the Aces finished strong, securing the fourth seed in the WNBA playoffs with a record of 27-13. And needless to say, the 3× WNBA MVP was the heartbeat of this team.
A’ja Wilson Bags Another MVP
Wilson’s third MVP win this year wasn’t just a regular one—it was unanimous. Every single first-place vote went to her, and it’s no wonder why. This makes her the first unanimous MVP since Cynthia Cooper back in 1997. That’s no small feat, and it speaks volumes about her performance and impact on the game.
With an average of 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.58 blocks per game, she set multiple records. She led the league in scoring, rebounds blocks, and total points while breaking the single-season scoring average record previously held by Diana Taurasi. She notched two 40-point games and even grabbed 20 rebounds in one game.
The 2× WNBA champion also set records with 1,021 total points and 451 rebounds. She was unstoppable from her 42-point game against the Dallas Wings to consistently grabbing nearly ten defensive rebounds per game.
If there’s one word to describe her 2024 season, it’s ‘dominance.’ Beyond the numbers, A’ja’s influence on the Aces this season was remarkable. She led them to a solid playoff spot. And let’s not forget she also helped Team USA snag yet another gold medal at the Paris Olympics this year.
Now, as the playoffs roll on, you can bet the 28-year-old’s leadership will be key for the Aces. However, they’ve got a tough battle against the New York Liberty ahead, as Liberty is not the same team as in 2023. It’s definitely going to take every bit of Aces players’ composure to see them through.
