A’ja Wilson has joined rare air in the WNBA record books. On Sunday, the Las Vegas Aces star was officially crowned league MVP for the fourth time, making her the first player in history to ever reach that mark.
It was the kind of news that sent Aces fans into celebration, though not everyone around the league was all smiles.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier had been in the MVP mix for much of the season, and her coach, Cheryl Reeve, was asked if she had thoughts on Wilson winning. Reeve didn’t show much enthusiasm.
“I don’t,” she said. “Just like Defensive Player of the Year, voters did what they did. We’re focused on Game 1.”
Her quick answer carried some edge. Collier finished second in the voting, and Reeve even referenced Wilson’s shared Defensive Player of the Year award with Alanna Smith — the first time the honor had co-winners.
For a while, it felt like the MVP race might come down to the wire. Collier kept pace, and names like Alyssa Thomas and Allisha Gray were in the conversation. But when the final tallies came in, Wilson had clearly separated herself. She collected 51 first-place votes, piling up 657 points. Collier landed at 534, while Thomas followed at 391. Gray finished fourth with 180, and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell added 93.
It was a reminder of how Wilson tends to close seasons — strong, steady, and impossible to ignore.
A’ja Wilson’s Special Moment With Bam Adebayo
The league posted video of the presentation, where commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed Wilson and her teammates at the Aces’ facility. But the emotional highlight came when Wilson’s boyfriend, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, actually handed her the trophy.
Tears flowed as Engelbert spoke about her impact on the game, capping a year where Wilson not only took MVP but also shared DPOY honors. Along the way, she averaged at least 20 points and 10 rebounds for a second straight season and logged 13 30-point games — more than anyone has ever done in one year.
For Wilson, though, the moment was about more than numbers. It was about legacy, love, and sharing history with the people closest to her.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
