In Las Vegas, Aces center A’ja Wilson made history by becoming just the second player ever to win the WNBA MVP award unanimously. She received all 67 first-place votes, totaling 670 points from the media.
A’ja Wilson Biography
Name | A’ja Wilson |
Age | 28 years |
Net worth | $3 million |
Country | American |
Previous Unanimous MVP
The only other player to achieve this was Cynthia Cooper, who won it in 1997 during the league’s first season.
MVP Rankings
Napheesa Collier from the Minnesota Lynx came in second with 467 points, getting 66 of the 67 votes for that spot. Breanna Stewart from New York finished third with 295 points, receiving the last second-place vote.
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark scored 130 points to take fourth place, and Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas finished fifth with 83 points. Players earned points based on their rankings: 10 for first place, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth.
A Stellar Season
A’ja Wilson, who previously won the MVP in 2020 and 2022, finished third last year in a tight race, behind winner Breanna Stewart and runner-up Alyssa Thomas. That motivated Wilson to step up her game this season, and she quickly took the lead, staying ahead of the competition the entire time.
Wilson made history as the first WNBA player to score over 1,000 points in a season, finishing with 1,021. She also set a record for the most rebounds in a season with 451.
Praise from Coach Becky Hammon
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised A’ja, saying, “We always say that helping your teammates succeed makes you great too. A’ja really shows this by lifting everyone around her. She’s truly committed to bringing out the best in others.
“It’s been a joy to coach her. She’s incredibly talented, and I can’t find enough words to describe her. She’s not just the best player in the world; she’s also one of the best people.”
Wilson made history as the first WNBA player to score over 1,000 points in a season, finishing with 1,021. She also set a record for the most rebounds in a season with 451.
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised A’ja, saying, “We always say that helping your teammates succeed makes you great too. A’ja really shows this by lifting everyone around her. She’s truly committed to bringing out the best in others.
“It’s been a joy to coach her. She’s incredibly talented, and I can’t find enough words to describe her. She’s not just the best player in the world; she’s also one of the best people.”
Aces’ Recent Success
A’ja Wilson helped the Aces win the WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023, and she was named Finals MVP last season. She was the top draft pick from South Carolina in 2018 and won Rookie of the Year that year. Wilson just turned 28 in August and recently won her second Olympic gold medal.
Upcoming Playoff Game
Now, the Las Vegas Aces are the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and will play against the No. 5 Seattle Storm in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A’ja Wilson’s historic achievement as the second player to win the WNBA MVP award unanimously highlights her incredible talent and hard work. Her impressive performance this season, including scoring over 1,000 points and setting a record for rebounds, showcases her dedication to the game. As she leads the Aces into the playoffs, fans and teammates alike can look forward to seeing her continue to shine on the court.
FAQS
A’ja Wilson has won the WNBA MVP award twice, first in 2020 and again in 2022. In 2023, she made history by becoming the second player ever to win the MVP award unanimously.
As of my last update, the 2024 WNBA MVP winner hasn’t been announced yet. You might want to check the latest news for the most current information.
A’ja Wilson’s salary varies by season and contract, but it’s generally estimated to be around $200,000 to $300,000 per year. This can change based on endorsements and bonuses.
A’ja Wilson typically averages around 20 points per game, though this can fluctuate depending on the season and her performance.