As we near the all-important WNBA playoffs, the race for the MVP title will continue right till the end, as this is one of the tightest ones we have ever witnessed, considering the stars competing. While fans are confused over who should win among the likes of A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Paige Bueckers, and Breanna Stewart, WNBA legend Lauren Jackson has a clear choice.
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“A’ja. A’ja Wilson,” Jackson told All-Star Magazine.
“Again, she has had another remarkable season, and I don’t think anyone can really stack up to her. There are so many great players over there. Obviously, I love Stewie. She’s a great player. But there’s also Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark. Actually, I’m naming everyone now, but I would say A’ja.”
“I just think it’s her pure dominance, especially in an era when the league has grown so much. She has been unstoppable for a period of time, so it’s been awesome to watch. And then, obviously, she’s a four-time, possibly five-time, MVP. It’s hard to argue against that.”
While the Australian icon and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer retired with career averages of 18.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks and won three MVP awards herself, Wilson has taken it to a whole new level.
In her first 36 games this season, the four-time MVP averaged 26.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.4 steals while shooting 52.1 percent from the field, 40.7 percent from three, and 85.8 percent from the free-throw line. With such box score numbers, there is no wonder the Aces star is the favorite to extend her record to five MVP titles.
From one of the best players to come out of the NCAA and head coach Dawn Staley’s program, to now being considered the greatest in women’s basketball history by legends like Jackson, Wilson’s presence creates success wherever she goes.
Last season was probably the Aces forward’s defining one, when she became the first player from either the WNBA or the NBA to win the scoring title, regular-season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP in one season.
Wilson led the Aces to their third championship in the last four years, averaging 28.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks during the Finals. She also won the Female Athlete of the Year for her efforts on the court.
While the conversation around the greatest WNBA player in history remains subjective, with names such as Diana Taurasi, Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, and Sue Bird always in the running, if the 30-year-old Wilson wins her record fifth MVP title followed by another generational WNBA Finals performance, we may see the debates shift in her favor completely.
But for now, Wilson needs to get past the new generation of stars like Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles first, which will only further cement her legacy.