A'ja Wilson wins record fifth WNBA MVP and first-ever three-peat

Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson has been named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the fifth time, becoming the first player in league history to win the award in three consecutive seasons.

Wilson secured 65 out of 74 first-place votes to claim her fifth overall title, adding to her previous wins in 2020 and 2022. The 30-year-old was informed of the achievement through a voice message from former Vice President Kamala Harris. Al Jazeera reported that Wilson was presented with the trophy on the Aces' practice court, joined by her mother, team owner Mark Davis, and Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

The award places Wilson alongside NBA legends Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as a five-time MVP winner. BBC Sport noted that only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six titles. Aces coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson’s sustained success, stating that her resume now puts her on a "different planet" compared to other basketball greats.

Statistically, Wilson led the league in scoring for the third consecutive season, averaging 26.2 points per game. Fox News reported that she also led the WNBA with 79 blocks, while Al Jazeera noted her career-best averages of 9.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. BBC Sport added that Wilson registered at least 20 points in 33 games during the season.

Despite the accolade, Wilson has declined a formal pre-game ceremony scheduled for Friday night. She told reporters she intends to focus on warming up with her team instead of hoisting the trophy in front of fans, citing a desire to avoid distractions following previous losses after similar celebrations. The Aces currently trail Golden State 2-0 in a best-of-five semifinal series.

Background

A'ja Wilson was the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft and has since won three league titles with the Las Vegas Aces. Before her professional career, she won an NCAA Division I national championship with the University of South Carolina.