Wilson, A’ja << AY zhuh >> (1996-…), is a star player in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Wilson stands 6 feet 4 inches (193 centimeters) tall and plays forward. A decorated high school and collegiate player, Wilson won the WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with the Las Vegas Aces in 2020 and 2022.
A’ja Riyadh Wilson was born on Aug. 8, 1996, in Columbia, South Carolina. Her father, Roscoe, had played professional basketball in Europe. As a young athlete, A’ja starred in basketball, track, and volleyball. She was named the Naismith and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association national high school basketball player of the year in 2014, after leading her school to a state championship. She then attended the University of South Carolina, where she became a three-time All-American. She led the university’s team to the 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship and was named player of the year. She set numerous career, season, and game records while playing for the university.
The Aces selected Wilson with the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. That year, she was named to her first All-Star team and won Rookie of the Year. In 2020, she averaged more than 20 points and 8 rebounds per game and won the MVP award. Wilson starred for the United States team that won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021) in Tokyo, Japan. In 2022, Wilson won the MVP award again and led the Aces to the team’s first WNBA championship. That same year, she led the WNBA in blocked shots and was named Defensive Player of the Year.
On Aug. 22, 2023, Wilson scored 53 points, tying the WNBA’s single-game scoring record. She matched Liz Cambage, who set the record in 2018. In October 2023, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their second WNBA championship. She was named MVP of the WNBA Finals and the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. In 2024, Wilson led the U.S. national team to a gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France. She was named MVP of the tournament.
