As we officially head towards the tail end of the WNBA regular season, conversations around the league MVP have intensified. It makes sense when we have names like the Fever’s Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell having career-best seasons, and rookie Olivia Miles has made her mark as a leader during Napheesa Collier’s absence in the first half of the season. For WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, however, one player stands above the rest of the contenders.

“To be an MVP five times? It’s ridiculous! No one does it!.. I mean, how could you not say she’s a goat if she wins five in a row?” Taurasi said when asked about Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson potentially winning her fifth MVP and making her case for WNBA GOAT, during her September 1 appearance on The Ringer.

The 30-year-old Las Vegas Aces star has already won four MVP honors in her career and has won the award three times since 2022. With the season Wilson is having, leading the league with 26.0 points per game, she is the frontrunner for the award once again.

Her two-way play also gives her an advantage over her rivals, if not for her averages of 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, along with 1.4 steals and 2.0 blocks (league-leading). A’ja Wilson is also shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from outside the arc.

As we enter the World Cup break, Caitlin Clark is considered the closest rival to Wilson for MVP, thanks to her added playmaking proficiency.

Clark is currently ranked third in scoring (22.5 points) and tied first in assists (8.4) with the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas. The Fever star is in the form of her life at the moment, as she finished last week averaging 35.5 points, 11.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.

This is easily one of the tightest MVP races US fans have witnessed in recent memory. While Taurasi made her choice final, she was not the only WNBA icon coming out to sing A’ja Wilson’s praises recently, as Lauren Jackson also made her choice clear for the MVP this season.

“A’ja. A’ja Wilson,” Jackson told reporters during her visit to the Philippines for NBA House, according to 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.”

As crazy as it sounds, A’ja Wilson is currently tied in MVP awards if we combine both Jackson’s (3 MVPs) and Taurasi’s (1 MVP) awards. One more, and Wilson will move into uncharted territory, more than she already has.

Wilson reaching the top of the WNBA mountain did not happen overnight, as Taurasi revealed she never expected Wilson to reach this level when she first saw her play at South Carolina under head coach Dawn Staley. However, through her rigorous work ethic and hours in the gym, A’ja Wilson went beyond the average player and reached new heights.

“You know, people always say, ‘Well, you know, during the summer, I want to add this. She actually did it. Every summer, every offseason, she’s added something. That’s really hard to do.” Taurasi said.

While A’ja Wilson opted out of the World Cup due to a recent issue with her back, it is likely not going to affect her MVP chances from here on. Moreover, with four games left for the Aces until the regular season is wrapped up, they face the Los Angeles Sparks, the Phoenix Mercury, and have two dates with the Seattle Storm.

The Aces have previously convincingly won against all three teams, who are now also eliminated from playoff contention. If Wilson continues her form following the World Cup break, she will probably break her own record and become a five-time MVP winner.