WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson Gives Perfect Reasoning for Wanting More Trophies
During the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, I interviewed Las Vegas Aces perennial All-Star A’ja Wilson, and she spoke of how difficult it can be to “keep my inner pettiness in” when people speak with authority on matters about which they know nothing.
Wilson let it all fly for Aces media day on Tuesday.
During her press conference, Wilson, 29, was asked what drives her after already accomplishing everything there is to accomplish in the WNBA in the eight seasons since the Aces drafted her No. 1 overall out of South Carolina in 2018.
“I mean, the real answer? I like making people mad,” Wilson said. “I like proving people wrong. I like to let people just burn because me and my team are doing great, or they never could have imagined it would have been me in this situation or my team in this situation. That’s the real answer.”
Wilson continued, “Politically correct answer? The youth. The kids make me go. The next generation, inspiring them to be able to use their platform, their voice, and who they are and live that truth is what inspires me to continue to be that tangible role model for them.”
If people are mad about Wilson’s greatness, they may want to seek anger management before the WNBA’s 30th season tips off on May 8.
The Aces are the reigning champions, having won three of the past four WNBA titles, and Wilson is the reigning WNBA Finals MVP, WNBA MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2025, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win a championship, league MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. She also became the first player in WNBA history to have four WNBA MVP awards to her name. She’s also a seven-time All-Star, six-time All-WNBA and five-time All-Defensive center, and three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
The TLDR version? A’ja Wilson is the best basketball player alive.
The Aces signed Wilson to a three-year, fully guaranteed $5 million supermax contract earlier this month. It was the richest total salary in WNBA history until the Indiana Fever signed All-Star Aliyah Boston, a fellow South Carolina alum, to a four-year, $6.3 million contract extension.
Both contracts were made possible by the WNBA and WNBPA reaching a historic new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified on March 24.
“We really capitalize on our voices,” Wilson said of the CBA negotiation. “We really capitalize on the platform that we have. There’s nothing better than a room full of women that has one goal, and they want to make sure they obtain it.”
Wilson added, “The united front that we kept, I think that was something that was truly special. If you want something, you’ve got to stand on it. You can’t move from it. You can’t let anyone shake you from it. I think we spoke to that when it came to this CBA. Obviously, I’m super grateful, but I’m greedy. This is just the beginning. I don’t want us to be satisified in this.”
Watch Wilson’s full media day presser below.
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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 6:36 PM.