NEW YORK — Another championship ring, check. Another title, check. Signature shoes selling out, check.
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson had an extraordinary year that few athletes could match. She not only excelled individually but also guided her team to the pinnacle of the WNBA standings.
In 2025, Wilson and the Aces will be remembered primarily as champions. Midway through the season, their prospects looked bleak with a balanced 11-11 record. However, after restructuring the team by releasing Kelsey Plum and adding Jewell Lloyd, the Aces rallied late in the season to secure a spot among the league’s top three, highlighted by a 16-game winning streak and the key mid-season acquisition of Narissa Smith.
Wilson dominated on the court, averaging 26.1 points and 12 rebounds in 12 of 16 games as the team surged to a 30-16 finish. They entered the playoffs as the No. 2 seed, advancing to the Finals for Wilson’s fourth time in eight seasons. The Aces then swept the Phoenix Mercury 4-0 to claim the championship, marking Wilson’s third Finals win and her second Finals MVP title.
At 30 years old, Wilson now shares the same number of WNBA titles as legends Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, and Jackie Young. Only a select few, including Rebecca Brunson, Chelsea Gray, and Sue Bird, have more championships. Wilson is also among the exclusive group of players who have won multiple Finals MVPs, alongside Cynthia Cooper, Lisa Leslie, Taurasi, Sylvia Fowles, and Breanna Stewart.
Wilson made history again by becoming the only WNBA player to earn both the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. With impressive stats — 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals — she received 51 first-place MVP votes. The Defensive Player of the Year honor was shared for the first time ever in league history between Wilson and Lynx’s Alanna Smith.
Off the court, Wilson’s impact extended to sneaker culture with her Nike A-One signature shoe, which sold out within minutes of its May 2024 release. The “Pink Aura” colorway especially captivated fans, commanding prices above retail on the resale market. Nike has since restocked the shoe in various colors and sizes, and Wilson’s merchandise line, including shirts and hoodies, has also been popular.
Complementing Wilson’s success, Reebok launched the Angel Wreath 1 sneaker, and Nike named Caitlin Clark as a signature athlete, releasing apparel but no official shoe yet.
Capping off an unforgettable year, Wilson was named Time Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year—an honor that transcends gender categories. She beat out future hall-of-famers Shohei Ohtani, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner to become only the second Black woman to receive this prestigious distinction, joining Simone Biles.
This recognition solidifies Wilson as the only player in WNBA or NBA history to claim MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, WNBA Championship, Finals MVP, and scoring leader honors—all in one career.
Fan Take: A’ja Wilson’s unprecedented achievements highlight how WNBA talent is reshaping the future of professional basketball. For fans, her incredible 2025 season not only celebrates excellence but also raises the profile of the league, signaling growth and increased visibility for women’s sports worldwide.
