Few duos in recent WNBA history have left a mark as indelible as Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson with the Las Vegas Aces. Together, they powered the franchise to back-to-back championships, blending Plum’s scoring punch with Wilson’s dominance in the paint. And even though Plum now wears Los Angeles Sparks colors, her admiration for Wilson’s relentless greatness remains as strong as ever.
Why Does Kelsey Plum Keep Praising A’ja Wilson’s Competitive Edge?
Plum and Wilson were the heartbeat of the Aces. Drafted just a year apart, they grew into one of the WNBA’s most dominant duos before their partnership ended with Plum’s move to Los Angeles.
Reflecting on those years alongside Wilson during a conversation with Sue Bird on Bird’s Eye View, Plum was full of praise for her former teammate. She noted that what truly sets Wilson apart goes beyond her accolades and lies in her unshakable mentality in pressure moments.
“I mean talk about expectations, right? That’s someone that had big expectations. I think she’s completely superseded them… She shows up every game. There are players who, when you’re talented, you can kind of coast. But she’s a competitor. When the game’s on the line, she wants the ball. She’s someone that in big moments gets even bigger. And I’ve always respected and admired that.”
Plum’s words capture the essence of Wilson’s greatness. What makes her truly iconic is not that she delivers numbers consistently, but her ability to rise when the spotlight is brightest, delivering in moments that often define victory or defeat.
How Did Wilson Grow Into the Aces’ Defining Star?
Wilson’s career backs up every bit of Plum’s praise. Since the Aces made her the No. 1 pick in 2018, she’s collected two championships, three MVP trophies, and seven All-Star nods.
In 2024, she claimed the league’s scoring crown, and this season she’s right back near the top, averaging 22 points per game behind Napheesa Collier. With career marks of 21.2 points and 9.3 rebounds on nearly 50% shooting, she has cemented herself as the face of the league’s new generation. Even Plum credits Wilson for her own growth.
Her Sparks debut was historic – a 37-point, six-assist, five-steal masterpiece that set multiple WNBA opening-night records. And in her postgame reflections, Plum admitted she borrowed from the lessons she picked up alongside Wilson.
“I have spent a lot of time learning, particularly from A’ja,” Plum told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “Watching her pick her spots and just being intentional about when to be aggressive, when not to be aggressive.”
For Plum, Wilson is more than a former teammate; she’s a standard of excellence. Admiration comes not from rings or MVPs alone but from the way Wilson embraces pressure and delivers when it matters most.
