‘Such a blessing’: Aces star wins 3rd WNBA MVP, and everyone agrees

It was almost a year ago that Becky Hammon sat at a podium and answered pregame questions while holding an index card in her hand.

On that card were the stats that A’ja Wilson would’ve had that season if Hammon played her 36 minutes a night. Because she, like the rest of the Aces organization, was floored that Wilson did not win her third MVP trophy last season.

Wilson made sure she didn’t need one this year. There was no doubt this time around.

The Aces forward was named WNBA MVP for the third time in her career Sunday, becoming the first unanimous MVP since Cynthia Cooper-Dyke won the award for the Houston Comets in 1997, the WNBA’s first season.

“This is such a blessing to be up here,” Wilson saidbefore Game 1 of the Aces’ first-round series against the Seattle Storm. “To be up here, not just for my third time, yes, but as a whole. This league is incredible and full of elite talent.”

Wilson became the fourth three-time winner in league history, joining Lisa Leslie, Lauren Jackson and Sheryl Swoopes.

The Aces shared a video of Wilson, with her teammates and coach in the room, receiving the news on Saturday.

The moment ✨

“I cannot thank you all enough. I hope you guys understand how much you mean to me. I hope you guys know that this trophy is nothing without y’all. We’ve been through the ringer – and we gon’ continue to go through the ringer – but one thing y’all don’t ever have… pic.twitter.com/NOnm0BP4yr

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) September 22, 2024

Wilson took home MVP honors for the first time in 2020. She won the award again in 2022 before leading the Aces to their first WNBA championship.

That first MVP came when the league was in a bubble in Bradenton, Florida, during the COVID pandemic. It was a feel-good moment at the time, Wilson felt, to be recognized and be placed in the record books.

Two more MVPs, two championships and a Finals MVP later, she knows she belongs.

“I feel like I fully established myself in this league that I’ve dreamt of playing in,” Wilson said. “It’s something that’s truly special and still surreal.”

Wilson earned all 67 first-place votes. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier finished second. New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart — last season’s MVP — was third.

Indiana Fever rookie star Caitlin Clark came in fourth.

Wilson came in third last season’s MVP voting behind Stewart and Connecicut’s Allysa Thomas. More shocking was the fact Wilson received a fourth-place vote after leading the Aces to a league-record 34 wins while averaging 22.8 points and 9.5 rebounds a game.

The announcement came before Game 2 of the Aces’ second-round series against the Dallas Wings. Wilson never denied using it as motivation to push the Aces to their second straight title.

She said it took her a few months after the championship, around February, that she finally let it go.

“I had a moment where I was like, ‘Just put in the work, A’ja. Get out of your feelings. Leave no doubt about who you are and who you want to be in this league,’” Wilson said. “I used it as fuel, but it wasn’t something that was going to define me this season.”

This season was Wilson’s greatest to date.

She finished first in the WNBA in points per game (26.9) and blocks per game (2.6). She was also second in rebounds per game (11.9).

In addition, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to score 1,000 points in a season and set the league record for most rebounds in a season with 451.

Wilson’s incredible campaign included the two highest-scoring games game in the league. She scored 42 points against the Dallas Wings on Aug. 27, then added 41 against the Phoenix Mercury five days later.

Wilson scored at least 20 points in 34 of her 38 games this season (89.5 percent), a WNBA record.

And yet, Hammon said Wilson told her that she can get to another gear. Hammon is inclined to agree, and she knows where the end result is likely headed.

“She’ll be the GOAT (greatest of all time) of all GOATs when it’s all said and done,” Hammon said.

The WNBA will announce the rest of its awards over the course of the postseason.

AP awards

Wilson was also named the unanimous MVP by The Associated Press, whose 15-member media panel awards honors separately from the WNBA.

Other AP honorees were:

■ Sixth Woman of the Year: Tiffany Hayes, Aces.

■ Rookie of the Year: Clark.

■ Defensive Player of the Year: Collier.

■ Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve, Lynx.

■ Comeback Player of the Year: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Storm.

■ Most Improved Player: Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks.

■ All-WNBA first team: Clark; Collier; Stewart; Thomas; Wilson.