Las Vegas Aces center-forward A’ja Wilson is the 2024 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, marking her third career MVP honor. The WNBA announced today that Wilson joins the exclusive ranks of three-time MVPs, tying a record previously held by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. Wilson first won the MVP award in 2020 and earned it again in 2022, solidifying her status as a dominant force in the league.

In an extraordinary feat, Wilson received all 67 first-place votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, attaining the title of unanimous MVP for the first time since Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets earned it in the WNBA’s inaugural season in 1997.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by PlayersTV (@playerstv)

Historic MVP Race

Thanks to her commanding performance, Wilson was awarded 670 points in the MVP voting. Napheesa Collier, a forward for the Minnesota Lynx, came in second place with 467 points, followed by Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, and Alyssa Thomas of the Connecticut Sun.

Record-Breaking Season

In her seventh WNBA season, Wilson, who is 6-foot-4, assembled a season for the record books. His lead matched Wilson’s career highs in almost every statistical category in points (26.29 per game), blocks (2.58 per game), and finished second in rebounds (11.9 per game). Her scoring average broke Diana Taurasi’s single-season record of 25.3 points. Wilson became the most successful player in WNBA history regarding total points, rebounds, and blocks for a season.

Wilson also set WNBA single-season records with 1,021 points and 451 rebounds. By finishing fifth in steals and seventh in field goal percentage (51.8%), she enhanced her impressive résumé. She was a model of durability and consistency, playing an average of 34.4 minutes in 38 games this season.

Leading the Aces to the Playoffs

The Las Vegas Aces, who have twice been WNBA champions, secured the fourth seed in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs thanks to Wilson’s exceptional season. The Aces have a 27-13 regular-season record and will face the Seattle Storm in their first-round playoff series tonight.

Honors and Accolades in 2024

Wilson received many accolades throughout the 2024 season. She was named Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month four times and WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week six times. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wilson played a key role for Team USA, winning a gold medal and being named MVP of the tournament.

 

Among her other notable accomplishments this season:

• Scored the two highest-scoring games in the WNBA in 2024, with 42 points against the Dallas Wings and 41 points against the Phoenix Mercury.
• Set WNBA single-season records for consecutive games with 20 or more points (15), at least 20 points, and 10 rebounds (8).
• She became the second player in WNBA history to record a game with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks.
• Led the league in steals-per-turnover ratio (1.42:1) and averaged a career-low 1.3 turnovers per game.

In addition to her outstanding court performance, Wilson was given the 2024 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her dedication to community service. Staley mentored Wilson and coached her at the University of South Carolina, where they won a national championship in 2017.

A Legacy of Success

Wilson has been a vital part of the team since being selected by the Las Vegas Aces as the No. 1 pick in 2018. The Aces won two championships in 2022 and 2023, and she was awarded the WNBA Finals MVP Award in 2023. Wilson was the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year for many years, Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and All-WNBA Team selections.

Wilson’s latest MVP win reinforces her reputation as one of the most dominant and influential players in WNBA history.

Wilson can expect to receive $15,450 and a Tiffany & Co. Gift card, as well as a trophy made specifically for her MVP recognition.