A’ja Wilson has further solidified her legacy in women’s basketball by earning her fifth WNBA MVP award. On Thursday, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to be named MVP five times. The Las Vegas Aces star also made history as the first player to win three consecutive MVP titles, adding to her accolades as one of the league’s all-time greats.
Wilson’s coach, Becky Hammon, has praised her achievements, comparing her to legendary figures in basketball. Hammon highlights that Wilson’s consistent success is not solely due to talent, but also her determination and work ethic. Despite not having the most statistically impressive season, Wilson dominated across multiple categories. She led the league with 26.2 points per game and topped in blocks with 79, ranking among the top five in rebounds.
Angel Reese from the Atlanta Dream was another standout, leading the league with 12.1 rebounds per game and securing the 2026 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
In the history of the WNBA, Wilson now surpasses Hall of Famers Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who each won multiple MVPs. Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi disrupted their streak by winning in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Wilson’s achievements place her among elite basketball players. In NBA history, only Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Michael Jordan have earned at least five MVP awards. At a news conference, Wilson expressed gratitude for making history and setting new standards in the sport.
During her MVP win, Wilson collected nearly all the first-place votes, with Minnesota Lynx’s Olivia Miles coming in second. Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell ranked third, and her teammate Caitlin Clark followed in fourth place.
The next challenge for Wilson is guiding the Aces through a significant playoff obstacle. They aim to become the first WNBA team to overturn a 2-0 deficit against the Golden State Valkyries in a best-of-five series. Success in this would further affirm Wilson’s status as a basketball icon.
Chantz Martin covers sports for Fox News Digital.
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