Opinion: Has A'ja Wilson reached goat status?

Last weekend A’ja Wilson was named the 2025 WNBA MVP, and it was a historic honor to say the least. The Las Vegas Aces center is the first back-to-back MVP since Cynthia Cooper won the award in the league's first two seasons in 1997 and 1998.

That’s not why this award stands out; the reason it does is that Wilson is the first-ever four-time MVP in WNBA history.

With yet another extraordinary accolade to her name, it’s fair to start making the GOAT argument for Wilson.

The only thing that may stop fans from giving Wilson the GOAT name is the fact that she’s only 29 and hasn’t played a complete career, but at the same time, she’s only 29 and has achieved a career’s worth of accomplishments in only eight seasons.

In addition to four MVPs, Wilson is a two-time WNBA champion, Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, six-time All-Star, three-time All-WNBA selection, two-time First-Team All-Defense selection, WNBA single-season rebounds record holder, three-time WNBA blocks leader and the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Outside of the WNBA, Wilson is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, two-time USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year, NCAA National Champion, three-time SEC Player of the Year and Naismith College Player of the Year.

On Aug. 11 against the Connecticut Sun, Wilson put up 32 points and 20 rebounds, becoming the first player in WNBA history to record 30-plus points and 20-plus rebounds in a single game.

In 2024 Wilson became the first player in history to score 1,000 points in a single season and as a part of her historic 2025 season, she became the fastest player in league history to reach 5,000 career points.

If Wilson can help carry the Aces to another WNBA title, then it’ll be the franchise's third in four years. This would also give Wilson the same number of rings as other greats such as Candace Parker and Diana Taurasi.

So, with all this being said, is it fair to say Wilson officially reached GOAT status? Well, the resume certainly speaks for itself.

While these kinds of debates often come down to era, longevity, style of play, and personal opinions, the numbers and impact that the Las Vegas Aces star has put up are becoming impossible to ignore. Wilson is not just collecting accolades; she’s shattering records and redefining what dominance looks like in the modern WNBA.

Her ability to lead on both ends of the floor, game after game, season after season, is reminiscent of legends like Lisa Leslie, Tamika Catchings, and Sheryl Swoopes.

However, unlike many before her, Wilson’s greatness emerges during an era of peak competition, with deeper talent, a faster pace, and heightened global attention on the league.

And the cherry on top of everything is that she’s still getting better.

What sets Wilson apart isn’t just the stat sheet, though it's staggering; it’s her consistency, leadership, and unshakable presence in the biggest moments. Whether it’s a playoff run, a gold medal game or a mid-season matchup, Wilson is guaranteed to show up every single time.

Her offensive efficiency, defensive dominance and unmatched motor have made her the anchor of the Las Vegas Aces dynasty, which is what some have considered the WNBA’s next great team legacy.

This is about more than just how Wilson plays basketball; she also has a cultural and social impact on the game, because Wilson isn’t just a basketball player; she’s a force.

From advocating for equity in women’s sports to mentoring the next generation, her voice is as powerful as her game. That’s part of GOAT status, too.

So yes, she’s only 29. And yes, but that might be the strongest argument for Wilson’s case, not against it.

If this is just the middle of Wilson’s story, then we’re watching something even rarer than greatness; we’re watching a legacy and a generational impact being made in real-time. The records and accomplishments that Wilson has already achieved may never be touched by another player, at least not for a long time.

The answer to the question of if Wilson has officially reached GOAT status may not be as complicated as some make it seem. The facts are there, the stats are there and the impact is there.

At this point, it's no longer about if she’ll become one of the greatest; it’s about recognizing that she already is. The WNBA has seen icons, trailblazers and transcendent stars, but Wilson is carving out a legacy that stands apart. She’s not chasing history anymore, she’s making it.

With time still on her side, the scariest part for the rest of the league is that A’ja Wilson’s story isn’t nearly finished, and the best may still be yet to come.

Gianna Dowling is a third-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email gmd5738@psu.edu.