The Las Vegas Aces walked into the semifinals with history already on their side, all thanks to their prime star, A’ja Wilson. On Sunday, the superstar forward was officially crowned the 2025 WNBA MVP.
The moment not only re-affirmed Wilson’s dominance but placed her in elite company, rarely touched by any basketball player, male or female.
Did A’ja Wilson’s Fourth MVP Cement Her Place Among Legends Like Michael Jordan and LeBron James?
Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win four MVP awards, pulling ahead of legends like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. Wilson is the first back-to-back MVP winner since Cynthia Cooper in 1997-98.
Wilson won her first MVP award in 2020 and her first WNBA championship in 2022. This time around is special, however, as she now stands tall and proud, shoulder-to-shoulder with Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This makes her one of only a handful of players across the NBA and WNBA to capture four MVP trophies before 30. Others in that elite circle are Wilt Chamberlain, who has four MVP awards, Bill Russell, who has five, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has six trophies.
Her 2025 campaign was nothing short of remarkable. In 40 outings, she averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, shooting 50.5% from the field and 42.4% from three-point range. She was also awarded Co-Defensive Player of the Year, making her the second player, alongside Swoopes, to claim both MVP and DPOY in the same season twice.
Wilson won in a landslide in the MVP voting, receiving 51 first-place votes from a panel of 72 voters and 657 voting points. She edged past Napheesa Collier, who had her most recent run with a strategic 50-40-90 season, and Alyssa Thomas, finishing third in the voting.
From “Everest” Praise to NBA Shoutouts, Is This the Ultimate Crossover Moment?
The Aces celebrated Wilson’s award with an impromptu ceremony at the team facility, where head coach Becky Hammon didn’t mince any words. “People talk about who’s on your Mt. Rushmore. She’s on the Mt. Rushmore, but she’s also ‘Everest’. She’s at the peak and ain’t nobody else up there.”
Among the various congratulatory messages, a strong one came from NBA legend LeBron James, who took to Instagram stories with his trademark flair. “4-piece chicken nugget!! AYYYYEEEE!! Congratulations, Sis! Proud of you.” The message highlighted how Wilson’s influence now resonates far beyond the WNBA.
Wilson herself called this fourth MVP “special,” not only because it broke her odd-year drought but also because of what it meant for the Aces. “Everyone counted us out. No one expected us to be where we are today, and we showed up and we’re here continuing to show out for each other. So this one is pretty special because this one is definitely like my team. I give this one to my team.”
At just 29 years old, Wilson is still in her prime, shattering records. She enters the WNBA semifinals, with three games to win and possibly reclaim the Finals throne.
