If you had one word to describe Las Vegas Aces’ star center, A’ja Wilson: “Greatness” comes to mind. Very few players impact the game on both ends of the floor as she does. She has been a key piece in their two WNBA championships, she’s three-peated as the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player, and she recently helped lead Team USA Women’s Basketball team to its 10th gold medal.
With the popularity of the WNBA trending, Wilson continues to advocate for equity for female athletes. It’s no surprise she brings that same energy to carving out a space as a voice for change within her community and the broader sports world.
“I feel like it’s going to turn, it’s going to turn, and we’re going to really be in a good spot,” Wilson told TODAY.com in an interview earlier this year. Noting the importance of investments in women’s sports.
All signs point to that shift starting to take place. This past May, the WNBA confirmed its plans to begin a full, league-wide charter flight program. This past season, the WNBA posted its highest attendance in 22 years, as a total of 2.3 million fans attended games in 2024, up 48% from last season. Merchandise sales were up an incredible 601% compared to 2023. In addition, WNBA League Pass saw a 366% increase in paid subscribers.
Obviously, Wilson isn’t the sole accelerant for the WNBA’s recent success. The league wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for the path laid by predecessors such as Candace Parker and Lisa Leslie amongst others. Today’s athletes also can use social platforms to expand their personal brands and reach new fans, adding to the recent growth of interest in the WNBA.
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky. Image: Icon Sportswire/Getty Images.
It’s also fair to say that this sudden surge of fandom is due to the excitement surrounding Caitlin Clark and Angel Resse’s rookie seasons. Reese has credited Wilson on numerous occasions with being a constant support and inspiration.
Along with her on-the-court success, Wilson has been all about giving back to her community, social justice and speaking up about mental health—especially to younger Black women who may not see enough representation in the spaces they aspire to enter. She recently released her memoir, Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You, in which Wilson shared encouraging anecdotes from her life. Through her own experiences, she emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-love and the value of pursuing one’s dreams against all odds.
It’s no surprise that Wilson would find herself celebrated as one of the EBONY Power 100 Leaders in Sports. Balancing all of this is no easy feat, and truthfully, it isn’t for everybody. But clearly, individuals as genuine and talented as Wilson aren’t as prevalent as we may want to believe. She is a benefit to both the league and to her community. She is the definition of greatness.
