A’ja Wilson has been rewriting the WNBA record books this season, but she says one of her biggest inspirations came from close to home. After securing her historic fourth MVP award, the Las Vegas Aces star credited her boyfriend, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, for helping her sharpen the footwork that pushed her game to the next level this season. The admission came with a surprise twist, too, as Adebayo himself handed her the trophy in a touching celebration.
A’Ja Wilson Credits Boyfriend Bam Adebayo as Key to Her MVP Growth
Wilson was stunned when Adebayo appeared at Aces practice on Sept. 21 alongside Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, team owner Mark Davis, and her father. In a moment captured on video, her teammates erupted in cheers as she covered her face in disbelief before dropping to the floor. It was the official reveal of her fourth MVP — the first time in WNBA history that any player has won the honor four times.
Later, she revealed how Adebayo has helped shape her game this season. “I’m better this year because I had a front-row seat to one of the best in the game,” Wilson said, per ESPN’s Holly Rowe’s report during Game 3 of Aces vs. Fever. “His footwork is such an underrated part of his skill set.”
The couple, who went public earlier this year after sparking rumors in 2024, have quietly worked together on refining Wilson’s footwork. That subtle part of her game has had a massive payoff. Not only did she dominate offensively, but she also secured her third Defensive Player of the Year crown this season, sharing the award with Minnesota Lynx center Alanna Smith.
Wilson’s MVP journey has stretched across five years: She first won in 2020, repeated in 2022 and 2024, and now stands alone with four. She leads the Aces from the front again this year in pursuit of another championship.
Aces Chasing a Championship as Wilson Makes MVP History
The Aces’ push for a third title has been anything but easy. After finishing the regular season on a 16-game winning streak, they blasted past the Seattle Storm in the opening round. But their semifinal matchup with the Indiana Fever has been a roller coaster.
Indiana stunned Las Vegas in Game 1, handing the Aces a rare home loss. Wilson and company answered with back-to-back wins, taking a 2-1 lead. Then, on Sunday, the Fever clawed back, stealing Game 4, 83-80, to even the series at 2-2. That sets up a winner-take-all Game 5 at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Sept. 29.
Wilson has been brilliant throughout, averaging 24.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across seven postseason games. That includes a jaw-dropping 38-point performance against Seattle in Game 3. She currently leads all scorers in the playoffs, showing why she’s more than worthy of MVP honors.
As the deciding game looms, Wilson’s fourth MVP is already secured. Now, the next chapter comes down to whether she and the Aces can turn a year of records into another championship.
