No one, not even Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or anyone else, has ever done what A’ja Wilson just did. The Las Vegas Aces star won MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a championship all in one season. Now, outside of the court, her historic accomplishments matter in a high-stakes fight for player rights that could change the way professional basketball is played.

A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces is TIME’s Athlete of the Year. The 6-foot-4 South Carolina native earned this honor after having one of the best single seasons in basketball history. She won her second WNBA scoring title, her third Defensive Player of the Year award, and her fourth MVP award. This made her the first player in league history to do all of these things. Wilson was the best player in the league. In June, she became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points. Then, she led the Aces to a sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals, winning her second Finals MVP and third championship.

This constant excellence backed up her quiet claim that she had “collected everything.” Her father, Roscoe, made the moment perfect by joking about waiting for the Academy Awards and Emmys. Wilson is one of the best basketball players of all time. Only Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James have won four MVPs before turning 30. She has changed what is possible.

On all of ESPN’s networks, the number of people who watched went up by 5 to 6 percent. Wilson said, “You need proof in the pudding sometimes.” The message was clear: if you put money into players, fans will come. This wasn’t about one star making the league; it was about the whole foundation finally getting some attention.

A’ja Wilson’s unstoppable rise beyond the court

She isn’t just a basketball player anymore; she’s becoming a brand all over the world. As soon as her Nike signature shoe came out, it sold out. Her relationship with NBA star Bam Adebayo keeps her in the news. Wilson is everywhere now, and she’s only just getting started.

Wilson doesn’t think twice when asked about her future. “I think I can win three more,” she said about winning more championships. That’s the kind of confidence that makes legends stand out from the rest of us. She wants more than just medals and trophies; she wants to build an empire.

But what really sets Wilson apart is that she knows her presence alone speaks. “Give me rings. Let me take the picture and really show off who I am. I could hold this aura where everyone’s like, ‘Oh no, that’s A’ja Wilson.’ And I don’t have to say a word,” she explained.

That’s what real fame is like: you don’t have to say anything; people just know.

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This is Wilson’s time. She’s combined being a great basketball player with being a star in a way that few others do. There is no limit to what comes next.