By 2017 she led the University of South Carolina Gamecocks to their first NCAA women’s championship. Less than a decade later, Wilson has become a cornerstone of the Las Vegas Aces and a beacon for women’s sports.
Her 2025 season was nothing short of historic. Wilson led the Aces to their third WNBA title in four years, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals and earning the Finals MVP award. She captured the league’s scoring title, was named Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and became the fastest player in league history to reach 5,000 career points. These accolades made her the first player in either the WNBA or NBA to win a championship, scoring title, Finals MVP, league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in one season.
The magnitude of Wilson’s 2025 campaign earned her Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year. This recognition placed her alongside basketball legends LeBron James and Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar as one of only four players to win four MVP trophies before age 30. Time noted that Wilson commemorated her season by writing each accolade on the six Infinity Stones of a Thanos gauntlet: scoring title, 5K points milestone, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, Finals MVP and championship.
Wilson’s dominance extended beyond statistics. During the Aces’ victory parade, she embraced the moment with characteristic flair, rocking a tambourine and quoting Michael Jordan’s famous championship T‑shirt while celebrating with fans. Her exuberant persona made her a fixture on talk shows and social media, and endorsements with brands like Google, Chase and AT&T followed. Actor Gabrielle Union aptly described her as a “culture shifter”, praising Wilson for commanding attention through excellence rather than controversy.
Wilson’s impact transcends the court. As a seven‑time All‑Star and vocal advocate for gender and racial equality, she has become a role model for millions. LeBron James remarked that Wilson embodies female Black excellence and provides the kind of inspiration his daughter once drew from Michael Jordan. Her memoir Dear Black Girls, published in 2024 and promoted by Melinda French Gates’ imprint, offered an honest account of overcoming dyslexia and racism, further cementing her influence.
Off the court, Wilson uses her platform to push for better pay and working conditions in the WNBA. She has been at the forefront of negotiations for a new collective‑bargaining agreement, insisting that players will not settle for anything less than what they deserve【521312279767613†L144-L139】. Her advocacy highlights the broader struggle for equity in women’s sports.
Despite her meteoric success, Wilson remains hungry. In 2024 she was MVP of the Olympic tournament in Paris and led Team USA to gold. International governing body FIBA noted that she will again be the player to watch at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Germany, where the United States will try to defend its title. Wilson’s consistency at every level — high school, college, professional and international — underscores her unique greatness.
Wilson’s story is not just about trophies. It is a testament to resilience and representation. Her dominance on the court has helped amplify women’s basketball, drawing record TV audiences and inspiring young athletes to dream bigger. As she continues to collect championships and awards, her influence grows, ensuring that women’s sports and Black excellence remain in the spotlight.
A’ja Wilson’s 2025 campaign was a once‑in‑a‑generation performance, and her selection as Time’s Athlete of the Year confirms her status as one of the most remarkable women in sports today. With her eyes set on new horizons in 2026 and beyond, Wilson embodies the future of women’s basketball and serves as a powerful reminder that excellence, advocacy and joy can change the world.
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