When A’ja Wilson lifted the WNBA trophy for the third time yesterday, the moment resonated across the basketball world. One person who featured prominently alongside the Las Vegas Aces superstar was her partner, Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. Adebayo has been a pillar of support for Wilson, and they share more than just Olympic medals and defensive dominance – they share a mindset built on work and resilience.

Recently, in an interview, Adebayo was asked, “What’s it like to share in someone else’s joy like that?” he replied, “That’s the thing about shared success. You’re blessed to see somebody have that much success, somebody who they compare to Bill Russell, and you talk about how much greatness that they have.”

It was more than a compliment; it was an acknowledgment of how sustained excellence remains truly rare, and how deeply Adebayo identifies with the effort it takes to stay at the top. The Heat center has himself been a part of consistently good teams for the last few years, making it to two Finals on top of multiple great playoff runs.

Wilson and Adebayo have connections that run deeper than social media appearances. Their relationship dates back many years, having been friends and openly supporting each other during games, especially during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Wilson was also spotted in the audience when Adebayo received a key to the city of Miami for their performance in the Olympics, with the mayor of Miami-Dade also cheekily calling the pair out, saying, “A’ja Wilson, she won gold in women’s basketball… I guess that has something to do with Bam and the Heat being here today.”

Similarly, the Las Vegas Aces found a beautiful way to celebrate history. During a recent team practice, Bam Adebayo helped deliver a surprise that left A’ja Wilson in tears of joy. The Miami Heat star and Wilson’s boyfriend walked into the gym alongside WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, carrying what Wilson didn’t expect to see: her 2025 WNBA MVP trophy.

As Adebayo handed her the award, Wilson fell to her knees, overcome with emotion, while her teammates erupted in cheers. The moment grew even more special with her father and Aces owner Mark Davis also present to witness it. The heartfelt surprise marked a piece of WNBA history- Wilson becoming the first player ever to win four MVP awards.

For Adebayo, seeing Wilson thrive is a vision of the future in Miami. His appreciation for A’ja and the Aces’ success isn’t just about the rings, but the process behind them, and the patience and hard work it takes to grow into a champion.

A’ja Wilson’s Dynasty Moment in the WNBA Finals

The WNBA Finals have displayed dominance for Wilson and the Aces. After a grueling first-round series against the Seattle Storm and a five-game thriller against the Indiana Fever, the Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury in a 4-0 sweep, winning their third championship in four years and Wilson’s second Finals MVP across the three championships. The accolades confirm what many believe: Wilson and the Aces are a modern sports dynasty.

Her resume reads like a legend’s script: four MVPs, three Defensive Play of the Year awards, Olympic Gold. She has long been compared to the greats, but her latest triumph has placed her in rare company, including being the only player in WNBA history to win MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP in the same season.

Her leadership and composure under pressure have set a standard for not just women’s basketball but sport as a whole.

On top of that, A’ja Wilson and Bill Russell share a rare and unprecedented achievement in basketball history: they are the only two players in the NBA or WNBA to win 3 MVP awards and 3 championships within a 4-season span.

Russell accomplished the feat during the Boston Celtics’ dominant run in the 1960s, specifically across the 1961–1962, 1962–1963, and 1963–1964 seasons, where he secured MVP awards in 1962, 1963, and 1965 alongside championships each year.

No other player- male or female, across leagues- has matched this combination of individual and team dominance in such a compressed timeframe.

Adebayo has been alongside her the entire journey in these playoffs. After the win, one of the first people Wilson sought out was Adebayo, hugging him while saying, “Thank you for believing in me, baby,” while tears streamed down her face. Three championships in, A’ja Wilson’s greatness is definitely historic.