Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard is using Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson as her personal benchmark throughout the 2025 WNBA season. During an appearance on Up the Score w/ AP, Howard revealed that Wilson’s continued dominance motivates her to elevate her own play.
“She’s always been there, and they always say that we in the W motivate younger kids. She’s motivating people in the W,” Howard said. “Whether you want to say it or not, it’s true. I’m not going to hide it because I know what she’s done for the game. It’s like, okay, she’s setting records. I love to chase records, so essentially, I am chasing her. And I want her to continue to up the score, and I’m coming for her.”
Rhyne Howard showing A’ja love and giving A’ja her flowers 🥹💐 full video on YouTube
🎥 TikTok: @ upthescorew.ap pic.twitter.com/oCIL4MPFbA
— Zee🤍 (@thereal__zee) June 3, 2025
Howard has been at the center of the Dream’s strong early stretch, including a comeback win over the Seattle Storm. She acknowledged the impact of having someone like Wilson to pursue and praised the friendly rivalry as a healthy element of competition in the league.
“I keep telling her all the time, I’m going to be right there with you. You keep doing your thing, and I’m coming,” Howard said. “Having somebody to chase in the now, I think, is good for the game.”
The Atlanta Dream will face the Las Vegas Aces on July 22. That matchup will be the next opportunity for Rhyne Howard to test herself directly against A’ja Wilson.
A’ja Wilson Keeps Adding to Legacy with Historic Numbers
While Howard has been on a tear, Wilson has continued to widen the gap between herself and the rest of the league.
The Aces’ star center just added another feather to her already stacked resume, earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors, for the 23rd time in her career. Over two games between May 26 and June 1, she averaged a dominant 27 points, 10 boards, and 3.5 blocks, carrying Las Vegas to a spotless 2-0 stretch.
Her biggest statement? A 35-point, 13-rebound performance in a 96-81 win over the Sparks. That game also marked her 18th career 30-point double-double, the most in WNBA history. No one’s doing it like her.
A’JA MAKES HISTORY! A’Ja Wilson had one of the greatest games in WNBA history, becoming the first player to ever have a 35/10/5/3/3 stat line, as she led Las Vegas over Los Angeles, 96-81! 🪣
📊 35 PTS, 13 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 3 BLK, 12/18 FGM, 10/10 FTM, WIN
One of the greatest… pic.twitter.com/F9eAFZh9FI
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) May 31, 2025
Wilson now ranks:
- First in blocks (2.7) per game
- Second in steals (2.3)
- Third in points (22.8) and rebounds (10.5) per game
If she keeps this pace, Wilson is on track to challenge for a record-breaking fourth MVP award. Only Tina Charles (32) and Candace Parker (27) have more Player of the Week honors. Wilson is now just one shy of Elena Delle Donne (24) for third all-time.
Off the court, Wilson has made waves with the launch of her signature shoe, the “A’One”, which sold out within minutes. Her parents, Roscoe and Eva, were involved throughout the process.
“It’s been a labor of love with A’ja getting them out. Then getting them to kids — kids who need them, and kids who want to play in them,” Roscoe Wilson told Cosmo Sports. “It’s kind of like the Michael Jordan thing, you know?”
Players across the league, including Brittney Griner, Tina Charles, and Allisha Gray, have already been spotted wearing different A’One colorways. Even NBA players like Bam Adebayo and Shake Milton have been seen in the shoes.
Adebayo, Wilson’s boyfriend, praised her on social media after the Sparks win.
“Ok big guard,” Adebayo wrote on Threads.
In an interview with Cosmo Sports, Wilson opened up about their relationship.
“I have an amazing boyfriend who really is my safe space. He’s truly a gift. He’s obviously in the same field, so we bounce off different things. He’s helped me through a lot and welcomed me to be who I’m going to be.”