Stephen A. Smith Didn’t Hesitate When Naming His Pick For WNBA MVP

With the 2024 WNBA regular season drawing to a close in less than a month, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has revealed his pick for the league's most valuable player.

This year has been one for the books, with the attention both on promising rookies and seasoned stars.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese have made waves with their impressive debuts, while veterans like Kahleah Copper, Arike Ogunbowale, and Napheesa Collier have been lighting up the scoreboard, each landing in the league's top four for scoring.

Despite these players' impressive seasons, Stephen A. Smith didn't hesitate to show his support for A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. The third-year center is having a standout season, delivering one-of-a-kind performances.

"She's going to be the unanimous MVP, and she's the defensive player of the year," Smith stated when discussing Wilson on ESPN's First Take. "She is undoubtedly the best player in the WNBA."

In 2024, Wilson is averaging 26.6 points, 2.3 assists, and 11.9 rebounds. If she maintains her 26.6 points-per-game average, she will surpass Diana Taurasi's 25.29 from 2006 and set the all-time record for the highest points-per-game average in a single season.

Wilson is a dominant force on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. She is averaging 2.7 blocks per game, leading the league, and is aiming to capture her third straight Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Clark, the No. 1 pick in April's WNBA draft to the Indiana Fever, has more than lived up to the high expectations set for her coming out of Iowa. The NCAA's all-time leading scorer is averaging 17.9 points per game and leading the league in assists per game with 8.3.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Reese, the No. 7 overall pick for the Sky, is averaging 13.5 points per game and leading the league in rebounding with 12.9 boards per contest.

Smith ensured that Clark and Reese received their recognition, but ultimately, he chose Wilson as the MVP.

On Sunday, Wilson hit a buzzer-beater against the Sky, leading to Reese's 18th loss of her rookie season.

"Let me tell you something right now," Smith added. "Angel Reese is doing some special things. I give her a lot of props. There's no question about it. And not only that, she's doing it while Caitlin Clark is elevating her level of play. So the two of them together have done such sensational things for the WNBA, and they deserve a lot of credit for it. But this is A'ja Wilson's world."

The next time Wilson will be in action will be Tuesday, August 27, in Dallas to take on the Wings. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET.

Related: Fans Marvel at Aces Star A'Ja Wilson's Viral Game-Winner Against Chicago Sky