Getty
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Team United States Head Coach Dawn Staley and A’Ja Wilson #9 pose for photographs with their gold medals during the Women’s Basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Getty
SAITAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 08: Team United States Head Coach Dawn Staley and A’Ja Wilson #9 pose for photographs with their gold medals during the Women’s Basketball medal ceremony on day sixteen of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games at Saitama Super Arena on August 08, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
A’ja Wilson was seen trash-talking during many WNBA games and fans wondered about the method behind the madness. But in the shrill of championship celebrations, the Aces remained tightlipped about it. But now, their captain, who led from the front has herself opened up about her expressive play with her teammates in the middle of the games.?
Watch What’s Trending Now!
A?ja Wilson played a crucial role in helping the Aces win back-to-back titles. Besides being a teammate, she’s also their leader. And it is the leader that has to do what has to be done to win. By decimating the New York Liberty in Game 4 of Finals Five, she proved her vocal leadership skills despite two of her trump cards sitting on bench.
A’ja Wilson has a unique trick to fuel her teammates
During a conversation with Jennifer Hudson on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Wilson opened up about the reasons behind her trash-talking with her teammates.?
Top Stories
Getty
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MAY 20: Alysha Clark #7, A’ja Wilson #22, Kelsey Plum #10 and Candace Parker #3 of the Las Vegas Aces react after a basket by Wilson during the second quarter against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on May 20, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
She said, ?I really like to amp them up because that?s when we get the best out of them. So, I told my teammate, Jackie Young, ?We get paid to shoot, so shoot!? That?s it. And I?m petty, so yeah! I?m petty, like, I like to poke a little bear here and there. So I started talking a little crazy to my teammates. I?m like, tell my teammates they?re not supposed to miss shots. I?m like somebody over there said they shoot better than you and then next thing you know we on a 10-0 run.??
A’ja’s ability to bring the best out of her teammates with a unique blend of encouragement, wit, and a bit of playful pettiness, has proven Wilson to be one of the most effective leaders in the league.
Read More: ?Just Win Baby?: WNBA Champion Kelsey Plum Shares Ritual Chats With Aces Owner Mark Davis
Notably, Wilson gave an impressive performance on the run toward the 2023 championship title.?
The Finals MVP
The star player of the Las Vegas Aces made the basketball fans call her the GOAT of the WNBA. Her outstanding performance throughout the 2023 WNBA season, even without two key teammates, left the world in awe.
During the season she averaged 22.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Her ability to score a basket even when there is no way is a testament to her status as one of the best players ever.?
Watch This Story: Impressing A?ja Wilson With NCAA Fierceness, Angel Reese Opens Up About Impact on WNBA
While she did lose a very close race of regular season MVP to Breanna Stewart, Wilson more than made up for it by securing the back-to-back championships and Finals MVP.?
Written by
Edited by
Bilal Handoo