A'ja Wilson Reflects on Her Journey as She Accepts 2024 WNBA MVP Award
In a moment filled with gratitude and reflection, A'ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces center, stood before the media on Sunday night to accept her 2024 WNBA MVP award. Dressed in a striking red pantsuit, Wilson's emotional speech highlighted the profound impact of her college coach, Dawn Staley, and her current WNBA coach, Becky Hammon, on her life and career.
Back in May, at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, Wilson had expressed her appreciation for Staley's mentorship during a preseason media session. Four months later, with the MVP award in hand, she reiterated her gratitude, stating, "I want to thank South Carolina and Coach Staley. I truly wouldn't be standing here today without the hard work and sacrifices made by all those people. It's humbling to walk a path paved by so many legends of this game, those who made this league what it is today."
Wilson's achievement is historic; she earned all 67 first-place votes for a total of 670 points, making her the second player in WNBA history to win the MVP unanimously, following Cynthia Cooper's feat in 1997. This victory marks Wilson’s third MVP title, adding her name to the elite company of Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson as three-time winners.
The 2024 season has been nothing short of spectacular for Wilson. Just a week before her MVP announcement, she shattered the WNBA record for most points scored in a single season. Additionally, she set a new record for single-season rebounding just five days prior. Finishing her seventh season with an impressive average of 26.9 points per game, Wilson has solidified her status as one of the league's premier players.
Staley, who coached Wilson at the University of South Carolina from 2014 to 2018, played a pivotal role in shaping her career. Under Staley’s guidance, Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA championship in 2017 and set numerous program records. She holds South Carolina's career records for points (2,389), blocked shots (363), free throws made (597), and free throws attempted (835).
On Sunday morning, Staley took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate Wilson's achievement. "THE UNANIMOUS MVP OF @WNBA BELONGS TO @_ajawilson22! Congrats A! Deserving! Earned! And Forced this one! And to the voters I’m proud to say you represented the game well….see y’all for @WNBA DPOY soon," Staley tweeted.
As the Aces prepare for the WNBA playoffs, they finished the regular season as the No. 4 seed and will face off against the No. 5 Seattle Storm in the first round. With Wilson leading the charge, fans are eager to see how far the Aces can go in their quest for another championship.
Wilson’s journey from a young athlete in South Carolina to a WNBA superstar serves as an inspiration to many. Her dedication to the game and acknowledgment of those who have supported her along the way exemplify the spirit of sportsmanship and gratitude that defines not only her career but also the essence of basketball itself. As she embarks on this next chapter in her career, one thing is certain: A'ja Wilson is a force to be reckoned with on and off the court.
