A’ja Wilson's historic season

A’ja Wilson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and arguably one of the greatest women's basketball players ever, has been nothing short of amazing this season. The Olympic gold medalist and New York Times best-selling author has broken records every time she stepped on the court.

The two-time MVP won her third MVP award early Sunday afternoon, just before Las Vegas's first playoff game against the Seattle Storm. This achievement made her the fourth player in league history to win three MVP awards, joining Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.

Wilson had jaw-dropping scoring performances, game-winners, and statement wins that solidified her status as the front-runner in the MVP race. She became the second unanimous MVP since 1997, receiving 67 first-place votes. Cynthia Cooper, who played for the Houston Comets, was the other unanimous player in the WNBA's inaugural season.

Wilson averaged 27 points and 12 rebounds per game, both career highs. She finished the season with the highest scoring average, surpassing Diana Taurasi’s record of 25.29 points per game set in 2006. Additionally, she became the first player to average over 25 points and 10 rebounds in a single season.

On Sept. 15, she became the only player in league history to score 1,000 points in a single season during a matchup against Connecticut.

On July 7, 2024, in a game against the Dallas Wings, Wilson became the Aces' all-time leading scorer, surpassing Sophie Young Malcom’s total of 4,300 points in franchise history. She scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds that night, marking her 10th double-double of the season. She shot 3-of-4 from three-point range on 11-of-22 shooting.

Wilson had nine 30-point games and two 40-point games this season, with her highest-scoring performance coming against the Dallas Wings, where she scored 43 points in a 93-90 loss on the road.

In addition to her scoring prowess, Wilson is a dominant force on the boards. "I don't hunt rebounds, so it's not something that's always on my mind," she said at a press conference. "I'm 6-foot-4 and I'm around the basket; I hope I can grab a couple rebounds for my team."

On September 17, she became the player with the most rebounds in a single season, grabbing seven boards against the Seattle Storm to surpass Angel Reese’s record of 447. Wilson finished the season with a total of 451 rebounds.

As formidable on defense as she is on offense, Wilson was a candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year but finished second in voting behind Napheesa Collier. She ranked fifth in blocks per game, averaging 2.6.

The talented forward will continue to play at a high level as she aims to break more records in the postseason, starting with Sunday’s matchup against Seattle.

Kiera Baker is a fourth-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email ksb5617@psu.edu.