LAS VEGAS, NV –- Las Vegas Aces forward/center superstar A’ja Wilson has achieved a historic milestone, earning a record fourth WNBA Kia Most Valuable Player award. Wilson’s incredible season, which saw her lead the Aces to a 30-14 record and a franchise-record 16-game winning streak to close out the season, was instrumental in securing the No. 2 seed for the playoffs.
Wilson’s achievement is not just about the number of MVP awards; she is now the only player in WNBA history to be named MVP more than three times. Moreover, she is only the second player, joining the legendary Cynthia Cooper (1997 and 1998), to win back-to-back league MVP honors since 1997 and 1998. Wilson previously won the award in 2020 and 2022, ahead of her first WNBA title. Wilson was in a four-way tie with Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, and Sheryl Swoopes, all of whom have three MVP trophies.
“It’s not going to hit me until after the season,” Wilson said. “It’s truly a blessing to be in this position. My name is in the history books forever.”
In 2025, alongside the MVP award, Wilson has compiled an extraordinary array of honors, which includes her third WNBA Defensive Player of the Year title, her seventh All-Star selection, a remarkable six WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week awards, the Western Conference Player of the Month accolade for August, the Associated Press Player of the Year award, the AP Defensive Player of the Year recognition, and the WNBA Peak Performer award for being the league’s top scorer.
Wilson received 51 of 72 first-place votes and 21 second-place votes (657 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (534 points) finished in second place, followed by Phoenix Mercury Alyssa Thomas (391 points) in third place, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (180 points) in fourth place, and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell (93 points) in fifth place.
Throughout the season, Wilson’s performance transcended typical MVP numbers, with averages of 23.4 points per game on 50.5% field goal shooting, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game. She is the only player in league history to average at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal per game – a feat she first accomplished during her third MVP season.
Leading the league in scoring, Wilson also set the WNBA single-season record for 30-point games with 13. She ranked first in blocks for the fifth time in her career and ranked second in rebounds per game.
“This one is for them (Aces), we’ve been through it,” Wilson said. “I’m glad I was able to bring this to them, but we still have work to do.”
Wilson’s other notable accomplishments this season include:
- Producing the only 30-point, 20-rebound double-double in league history.
- Leading the league in double-doubles with at least 30 points (10) and 20 points (16), finishing with a total of 21 double-doubles.
- Tied for the most 20-point games in a season (25) and set the league record for 30-point games (13) in a season.
- Ranking No. 1 in player efficiency rating, win shares overall, offensive win shares, defensive win shares, and defensive rating.
- Being the only player who finished among the top 5 in scoring, rebounding, and blocks.
- Leading the league in total points (937), total rebounds (407), defensive rebounds (316), and free throws made (248).
- Earning a league-record 13th Western Conference Player of the Month honor in August.
- Earning Western Conference Player of the Week a league-high six times in 2025, bringing her career total to a league second-most 28.
Nike also paid tribute to her accomplishment with an astonishing video narrated by award-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph.
With this historic MVP award and a host of other accolades, A’ja Wilson has firmly cemented her legacy as one of the greatest players in WNBA history. As she leads the Aces into the playoffs, she’ll be looking to add a third championship to her already impressive, illustrious resume.
