A’ja Wilson’s remarkable run of dominance continues to build, adding another major milestone to an already defining stretch of her career. The Las Vegas Aces star has collected MVPs and championships at a historic pace, and now her impact has been recognized on an even larger stage.

The Aces announced on Wednesday that Wilson has been named The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, placing her among a select group of basketball legends. This honor arrives just weeks after she secured her fourth MVP and her third championship in four seasons, underscoring a year that reshaped expectations of greatness in women’s basketball.

Wilson earned 17 votes from AP sports journalists across all sports, outpacing tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka and joining an elite list that includes Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Candace Parker, and Caitlin Clark. Behind A’ja, tennis star Aryna Sabalenka was second with nine, and Paige Bueckers was third with five. Growing older without slowing down!

“A’NOTHER ONE—The M’VP has been named @AP Female Athlete of the Year! Congratulations, @_ajawilson22!”

Reacting to the honor, Aces coach Becky Hammon said, “Her relatability, her being down to earth, makes her a great superstar. Her skill set is unmatched, but she’s also the easiest player to coach. To have that mixture of humility, grace, and skill, there’s a reason why she’s doing things that have never been done.”

That perspective becomes even more powerful when viewed through the adversity of the 2025 season. The Aces hovered near .500, hit rock bottom in a 53-point loss to Minnesota, and faced real questions about the end of an era. Wilson responded by leading a 16-game surge that restored their identity, secured the second seed, and carried them to another title.

Through all the skepticism and comparisons to rising stars, Wilson delivered one of her strongest seasons. She averaged 23.4 points, 2.3 blocks, and became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in one season and the 29-year-old star isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Also, Wilson is now a free agent.

A’ja Wilson’s free agency becomes the WNBA’s biggest offseason question

A’ja Wilson is set to become a free agent, putting one of the league’s biggest stars at the center of a pivotal offseason. Her value has never been higher after another dominant year, and the entire WNBA will be watching to see what she decides as the market opens.

The ongoing CBA negotiations add another layer of uncertainty. Players are fighting for a fairer salary system, better facilities, and stronger retirement benefits. However, under the current proposal, max contracts could reach around 1.2 million in total compensation, but the revenue share would still sit under 15 percent.

So, until the deal is finalized, teams cannot fully plan their cap space, which makes Wilson’s next move even harder to predict. But be assured, the Las Vegas Aces will do everything they can to bring her back.

Wilson is the face of the franchise and the driving force behind their championship. But with the CBA talks still unresolved and other teams preparing major offers, the path to keeping her in Las Vegas is far from simple.