The WNBA is currently seeing a higher number of elite players take to the floor. The rookies and youngsters are making a name for themselves, with both Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese leading in assists and rebounds, respectively. The veterans, on the other hand, aren't showing any signs of slowing down, and one such is A'ja Wilson , who many believe should be in the GOAT debate.
A'ja's dominance
Last season, Wilson finished third in one of the closest MVP races in WNBA history, with Breanna Stewart capturing her second trophy even though not everyone agreed with it.
Currently in her seventh season, the two-time champion and MVP is setting her sights on the WNBA record for the highest season scoring average, averaging 27.3 points per game. Kelsey Plum , a fellow WNBA star, points out that the 28-year-old Las Vegas Ace's star doesn't get as much credit as she deserves.
"I sit back and watch just a body of work, and we talk about accolades, " Plum commented on Wilson. "Some people weigh it on accolades, some people weigh it on statistics, some people weigh it on big games, big moments—you name it, she's done it. I don't know what else she could have done."
In 2023, the Aces' star led the No. 1 Las Vegas Aces with 22.8 points per game, ranking third in the league. She did this on 55.7% shooting, which was sixth overall in the league and better than her previous best of 50.1% in 2022.
A consistent superstar
Wilson won her second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 after pulling down 9.5 rebounds per game, second in the league, and led the league in blocks at 2.2 per game. Throw in the fact that she was 13th in steals with 1.4 per game, and you've got a player who does it all on both ends of the floor.
On top of her WNBA dominance, she also helped Team USA secure gold at the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024, where she was the MVP, leading the team in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, field goals made, and free throws made.
"How do you win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, world championship, USA basketball world championship, and then win MVP?" Plum added. "I mean, that's the best players on the best teams, and you win the MVP; it's like a clean sweep. I can't remember the last player that's done that and she gets shorted all the time."
With No. 22 leading the line, the Aces are off to a flying start, and No. 22 is averaging a career-high 27.3 points per game and 11.9 rebounds per game.
She is also recording incredible performances, like when she scored 42 points against the Dallas Wings on August 28, 2024, the highest-scoring game by any WNBA player this season.
The Aces fell just short, losing 93-90. But the 28-year-old hit 16-of-22 from the field while the rest of her team struggled, going 15-of-40. In the game just before that, she missed a career-high 20 shots against the Chicago Sky. But true to her nature, she bounced back in a big way, reminding everyone why she's one of the most dominant forces in the league right now.
Related: A'ja Wilson on the additional changes that need to happen in the WNBA: "It would have to be storytelling"
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