Former Gamecock great A'ja Wilson wins third WNBA MVP award after historic season

The accolades continue to pile up for former South Carolina women's basketball star A'ja Wilson. Last week, she was awarded the 2024 WNBA MVP trophy, marking the third time the Colombia native has won the award.

“Basketball has helped me achieve things I never dreamed of,” Wilson said. “The title of MVP is a great honor. It's humbling to walk the path paved by so many of the game's legends. Those who made this league what it is today and for me to be standing here with my third league, cheers to the legends.”

Wilson himself has worked toward becoming a WNBA legend. With her third MVP award, she ties Sheryl Swoops, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson for the highest honor in league history. Wilson previously won the award in 2020 and 2022.

2024 was a historic year for Wilson and the league. She achieved career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, steals per game and blocks per game. Wilson also became the first player in WNBA history to score more than 1,000 points in a single season, scoring 1,021 points in 38 games played.

Their average of 26.9 points per contest was the highest in league history and their total rebounds of 451 were also a league record. She became the first player in WNBA history to lead the league in points, rebounds and blocks.

During her acceptance speech, Wilson thanked many people who helped her get to this point.

“Of course I want to thank my parents so much for everything they've done, for the sacrifices they've made and for holding me accountable,” Wilson said. “I also want to thank South Carolina and Coach Staley and my agent Jade, my team and Klutch Sports, of course. Without the hard work and sacrifices that all of these people have made, I truly wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Wilson became the first player since Cynthia Cooper in the inaugural season in 1997 to be unanimously named WNBA MVP. She received all 67 first-place votes from a national jury of sports journalists and broadcasters. Wilson said she never imagined she would be named MVP when she entered the league, let alone unanimously.

“I wouldn't imagine that at all. I would just be happy if I made it to a training camp,” she said. “I know how hard it is.”

In her seven years, the Aces star has also won two championships, two Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Finals MVP. She is a six-time WNBA All-Star and four-time All-WNBA First Team selection.

The Aces finished the regular season 27-13 and secured the fourth seed in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs. Las Vegas defeated Seattle by two games to zero in the first round of the WNBA postseason. The team lost games one and two of the second round to New York. Games three, four and five are scheduled for later this week.

“That’s great, but the biggest message is the work that needs to be done,” Wilson said before the team’s first series. “How can I get better? How can I be a better teammate and leader?”