A'ja Wilson shows why she's the face of women's basketball in dominant Team USA win

A'ja Wilson's dominant performance for Team USA on Monday made one thing crystal clear: she's the face of women's basketball.

The WNBA's best player was dominant in a 102-76 win over Japan, Team USA's first game in the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Wilson had 24 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks on 10-of-16 shooting, picking up where she left off at the WNBA midseason break.

Through the Aces' first 24 games, Wilson is averaging 27.2 points and 12 rebounds per game. She's built an ironclad case to win league MVP later this year and showed an international audience why she's the sport's most dominant player on Monday.

Her mid-range shot was falling against Japan and Wilson got several easy looks on passes in the paint. In the third quarter, she converted a three-point opportunity after she showed off her handles on an attack toward the basket

Anyone who's watched Wilson this year knows she's been on a mission since the WNBA season began. A two-time MVP, Wilson finished third in voting in 2023 and received one fourth-place vote.

In an interview with Uproxx's Megan Armstrong, she revealed that has been a driving force for her this year.

"When I got that fourth-place vote, I was like, 'Oh, I have work to do," Wilson said.

Wilson is seeking her second gold medal with Team USA after first appearing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021).

She tied for a team-high in points per game (16.5) with Brittney Griner three years ago and might be on the precipice of bigger things this year.

For a player who's been the best in her sport for the past few years, it would only be fitting for the 2024 Paris Olympics to serve as Wilson's coronation. Through one game, she's off to a fantastic start.