American · Hopkins, South Carolina · Born 8 August 1996American basketball center/forward, three-time WNBA MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist, leading scorer in WNBA history with dominant paint presence.
A'ja Monika Wilson was born in Hopkins, South Carolina in 1996. The Las Vegas Aces selected her first overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft after an exceptional career at the University of South Carolina under Dawn Staley. She won WNBA MVP in 2020, 2022 and 2024 — becoming only the second player in WNBA history to win three MVP awards. She set the WNBA single-season scoring record in 2024 with 1,024 points — the first player to score 1,000 points in a single season. She won back-to-back WNBA championships with Las Vegas in 2022 and 2023. She won Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024. Her combination of scoring ability, rebounding and shot-blocking makes her the most complete player in WNBA history by statistical dominance. She has been vocal about social justice issues, racial equality and the pay disparity between the WNBA and NBA. She published a memoir at 27. She is the definitive player of the WNBA's modern era.
Dominant post player and three-time WNBA MVP
How They Played
Versatile big with excellent shooting range and defensive presence
Lasting Impact
One of the most dominant centers in WNBA history
Career Honours
- WNBA MVP 3x (2020, 2022, 2024)
- WNBA Champion 2x (2022, 2023)
- Olympic Gold 2x (2020, 2024)
- WNBA All-Star 6x
- WNBA scoring record (2024)
| Club | Period | Apps | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | 2018–2024 | — | #22 |
American Athletes