Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson wins record-breaking fourth WNBA MVP

The GIST: Yesterday’s semis Game 1 wasn’t so stellar for the Las Vegas Aces (more on that below), but the day started off strong for the inimitable A’ja Wilson, who won her unprecedented fourth WNBA MVP award. She’s not just raising the bar in the W — this hoops princess is the bar. Here’s why:

🤯 Four for eight: Wilson’s ratio of MVPs to seasons played is truly mind-boggling. She’s been in the W for eight years, earning the league’s highest individual honor four times in that span. Winning MVP in 50% of seasons played is simply incredible — and she’s not done yet.

• Not to mention, Wilson’s fourth award breaks a tie with three-time MVPs and league legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She’s also now just the second player to win in back-to-back seasons, joining the iconic Cynthia Cooper.

📈 51 to 18: Touted as one of the tightest MVP races in recent memory, the final tally didn’t quite fit that narrative — Wilson beat out Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier by 33 first-place votes. Collier missed 25% of the season with an ankle injury, almost certainly contributing to the discrepancy, but Wilson was undeniable by season’s end.

• She led the WNBA in points and blocks, averaged a double-double with 10.2 rebounds per game, and logged the league’s first-ever 30-point, 20-rebound game. Oh, and she won Co-Defensive Player of the Year, too. And that’s on dominance.

👏 A’one of one: Already boasting a Hall of Fame–worthy résumé, perhaps the most remarkable element of Wilson’s run is the potential of what’s still to come. At only 29 years old, there’s an argument that she hasn’t even peaked yet. Not bad for a girl who never liked to sweat.