In some seasons, the competitors for the WNBA MVP trophy is fierce, aggressive and compelling.
Final yr was a type of, when New York Liberty ahead Breanna Stewart edged out Connecticut Solar ahead Alyssa Thomas by simply seven votes, and Thomas had extra Three first-place votes. The 2005 season marked one other heated debate when Sheryl Swoopes acquired two extra voting spots than Lauren Jackson.
However this season is not a type of years. Frankly, there is just one logical alternative for the league’s MVP award. This ought to be a runaway and unanimous determination. This ought to be the third time that Las Vegas Aces ahead Aja Wilson takes dwelling the trophy. And it should not be shut.
A yr in the past, Wilson completed third within the hotly contested MVP race, simply 13 voting factors behind winner Stewart. The hole between the primary and third place MVP vote-getters has by no means been so shut in WNBA historical past.
If Wilson makes use of the bronze medal end as motivation, it would work. She dominated the whole 2023 playoffs, serving to the Aces win their second consecutive championship whereas incomes the Finals MVP award. If there was a comfort prize, that might be fairly good.
Then Wilson had one of many best seasons ever by a WNBA participant.
The 28-year-old ahead from Columbia, South Carolina, averaged 26.9 factors, 11.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and a pair of.6 blocks per recreation whereas capturing 51.8% from the sector and 84.4% from the sector. She leads all WNBA gamers in factors, blocks, defensive rebounds, subject targets made and free throws made.
No participant within the historical past of the WNBA, which performed its first season in 1997, has averaged as many factors, rebounds and blocks in a single season as Wilson this yr. Merely put, she’s doing one thing no participant has finished earlier than. The College of South Carolina product additionally just lately turned the primary participant to attain not less than 1,000 factors in a season, and he or she broke the league’s single-season rebounding report with seven rebounds in Tuesday night time’s win over the Seattle Storm.
“Since I have been on this league in 1999, I do not know if we have ever had a season like she’s having,” Aces coach Becky Hammon advised ESPN. “She’s a really stunning participant … and it appears straightforward. It is not straightforward. This can be a particular, generational expertise.”
Oh, and Wilson is nice at superior statistics, too. She ranks second within the WNBA in factors per recreation (1.12) and first in defensive rebounding share (31.8), participant effectivity (34.9) and win shares (10). She additionally posted a career-high defensive score of 90.5.
“Definitely, I can say she’s the perfect rebounder I’ve ever seen,” 2009 WNBA MVP Diana Taurasi stated of Wilson. “When you’ll be able to hold the ball to your staff, you all the time give your staff an opportunity to win. She’s simply loopy and he or she’s going to maintain doing it as a result of she loves the sport.
It is arduous to even make the case for who could be Wilson’s runner-up this season. Indiana Fever rookie Kaitlyn Clark attracts loads of consideration along with her long-range 3-point capturing and scorching assists (she leads the league), however her scoring and protection aren’t as fast and environment friendly as Wilson’s. Stewart is having one other All-WNBA season, however has but to succeed in MVP ranges. Napheesa Collier is arguably having her finest season as a professional and main the Minnesota Lynx again to the playoffs, however nobody can fairly assume she’s having a greater yr than Wilson .
The Aces now not seem like as dominant as they have been final season, after they went 34-6 and gained their second championship. This yr, they’ve suffered a three-game shedding streak and misplaced 5 of seven video games within the different stretch. Wilson’s efficiency, sturdiness, reliability and heroics are large explanation why Las Vegas returns to the playoffs with hopes of a 3rd straight title. She has missed only one recreation this season and is averaging a career-high 34.4 minutes per recreation.
“It is an honor to play along with her,” ace guard Jackie Younger advised ESPN. “She is available in day-after-day and exhibits us what it means to be an expert.”
So long as Wilson performs this manner, the Aces might be a championship contender.
Go forward and have her be a part of Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson as three-time MVPs.
