There are currently five NBA players with at least four MVP awards, with four of them having won four MVP awards before the age of 30. In the WNBA, though, there is only one that has checked both boxes. 

A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA MVP in four of the last six seasons and it’s a testament not just to the yearly improvements she makes to her game, but also to the way it influences her teammates and the Las Vegas Aces organization. 

Since joining the league in 2018, Wilson has led the Aces to the WNBA Finals thrice, winning two championships and emerging as the WNBA Finals MVP in 2023. The seven-time WNBA All-Star is a two-way matchup nightmare thanks to a rare blend of size, brute force, and finesse.  

Wilson was an accomplished player entering the WNBA, but she continued to raise the bar for herself. The game has slowed down for the 29-year old as she gained more experience and refined her skillset. More importantly, Wilson has avoided major injuries for much of her career, allowing her to stay on the court rather than being just a mere spectator. What makes this even more remarkable is that she puts her body on the line on defense and even when scoring against double and triple teams. 

At this point in her career, Wilson isn’t really chasing anyone as she’s setting herself up as the standard. Yes, the likes of Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, Cynthia Cooper, and Lisa Leslie are still seen as among the WNBA’s greatest, but Wilson is now part of this conversation and has the chance to surpass her peers. 

Health be willing, Wilson and Las Vegas will compete for titles for more or less the next five years. With talent surpassing the amount of WNBA teams, it’s more likely than not that the Aces will continue to add talent. This should help ease the load of Wilson’s shoulders while allowing her to prolong her career and continue to put her name in various records. Longevity is the next frontier she will conquer and with more games and a deeper roster, it may not be an uphill climb.  

At the moment, though, the job is not finished for A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces this season. They’re figuring in a tough semifinal series against an Indiana Fever squad that continues to defy the odds without Caitlin Clark. The Fever spoiled Wilson’s coronation night as the WNBA MVP, but the challenge is nothing new for Wilson, who has fought through adversity and the naysayers to stay a cut above the rest.