A’ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion, was named TIME magazine’s Athlete of the Year on Tuesday. By 2025, she had secured her fourth MVP title before turning 30 and was a strong contender for several other honors, including Defensive Player of the Year, Scorer of the Year, and Finals MVP. She also became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points.
Wilson’s impact extends beyond the court; her influence has reached cultural heights. She launched her first signature shoe, the Nike A-One, which sold out within minutes, and authored a New York Times bestselling debut novel, Dear Black Girls: How to be true to yourself. Known for her humble confidence, Wilson lets her performance speak for itself without boasting about her immense talent.
Wilson is not flashy, yet her excellence naturally stands out. She modestly waits until she has undeniable proof of her greatness before acknowledging it, now entering a phase in her career where she can be admired and focus on building her legacy.
TIME’s feature on Wilson included highlights from the Las Vegas Aces’ victory parade, showcasing her iconic Marvel Thanos gauntlet customized to reflect her achievements during the 2025 season. She reflected on the Aces’ remarkable transformation from a .500-level team to midseason champions, calling it a “wake-up call.”
The article also touched on the growth of the WNBA, including the ongoing negotiations for a historic Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Wilson asserted, “The players won’t move until we get exactly what we want,” emphasizing their determination.
Interestingly, the feature also mentioned Caitlin Clark, highlighting how her rookie season in 2024 helped the WNBA achieve record viewership and attendance. However, the article sparked controversy by suggesting Clark’s injury was “justified” due to the league’s success without her, a narrative Wilson criticized. She stressed the importance of honoring the history and contributions of the league’s predominantly Black player base, saying, “Let’s not lose the recipe. Let’s not lose the history.”
Despite Clark missing much of the 2025 season with injury, WNBA viewership rose by 5-6% per game. Wilson emphasized that this growth was evidence of the players’ continued dedication and collective effort, not tied to any one individual.
While Clark is indeed a significant figure in the league, inserting her narrative into Wilson’s accolade seemed unnecessary and risked sowing division. Wilson herself expressed that the WNBA’s success is about unity, not rivalry, and praised how the players have risen to the occasion despite challenges.
The 2025 WNBA season was the most-watched in history, averaging 1.2 million viewers, with the Finals ranking as the second most-watched ever. This growth coincides with strong support for the players during contract talks and fan backing.
Wilson’s message underlines that the league’s progress comes from collective investment in the craft and camaraderie, not from individual stardom. She continues to lead by example, showing that greatness does not require diminishing others.
A’ja Wilson was the clear Women’s Basketball Player of the Year in 2025, showcasing talent that’s “hard to keep up with,” as she puts it. Her pursuit of greatness is about maintaining a position at the top without knocking others down.
What sets Wilson apart as a role model is her self-reliance and focus on her work, allowing her natural star power to shine without needing external validation. She simply is great, quietly commanding respect through her achievements.
Fan Take: A’ja Wilson’s recognition as TIME’s Athlete of the Year underscores her transformative impact on the WNBA, both on and off the court. For fans, it signals the league’s rising prominence and the powerful role players like Wilson play in shaping the sport’s future and inspiring the next generation.
