The Aces of Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson added another piece of WNBA history to what was a remarkable 2024 season.
The two-time WNBA MVP became the first player in league history to score 1,000 points in a season. She accomplished the feat on Sunday. at home against the Connecticut SunWith just minutes left in the fourth quarter, Wilson hit a fadeaway jumper off the elbow of the key as her teammates and the home crowd erupted.
The celebration continued after the Aces’ convincing 84-71 victory over the Sun. Wilson danced with his teammatesand she was presented with the game ball alongside his parents.
Wilson’s milestone came days after she set the single-season record for most points scored in a season Wednesday against Caitlin Clark and Indiana FeverShe surpassed Jewell Lloyd’s record of 939 points, which the Seattle Storm star set last season.
Wilson is expected to be named the WNBA’s most valuable player this season after winning the award in 2020 and 2022. She is averaging a league-best 27 points and 2.6 blocks per game. Her 12 rebounds per game rank second in the WNBA behind Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese. Reese set the WNBA single-season scoring record for rebounds in a season, but Wilson can claim that record as well; he needs just three rebounds in the last two games to retake it.
If Wilson wins the MVP award, she will become the fourth player in league history to win it three times, joining Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson.
A’ja Wilson’s Coach and Olympic Teammate Praise Her
Aces head coach Becky Hammon said she wants Wilson to surpass 1,000 points in front of her home crowd so she can “get the love she deserves.”
“She’s dominant on both ends of the floor, and she’s a rare player. She’s a very humble person, always does the right thing. She always listens to her teammates and she always wants to win,” Hammon said. “I think A’ja is a great example of how she makes everyone around her great.”
Phoenix Mercury Guard and Olympic co-gold medalist Diana Taurasi said Sunday after the Mercury’s victory over the Chicago Sky that Wilson is “changing the evolution” of a post player and continuing to improve in all aspects of the court.
“I’ve been back and forth and I can probably say she’s the best rebounder I’ve ever seen. No doubt about it. And when you can secure the ball for your team, you’re always going to give your team a chance to win,” Taurasi said. “She just plays her ass off and she’s going to continue to do it because she loves the game.”
Contribute: Nancy Armour, Ellen J. Horrow
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Aces’ A’ja Wilson makes WNBA history with first 1,000-point season
