The awards keep stacking 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 Columbia native won the award. 

“Basketball has helped me achieve things that I never dreamed I could,” Wilson said. “To be named MVP is a tremendous honor. It's humbling to walk a path paved by so many legends of this game. Those who made this league what it is today, and for me to stand up here with my third one, shoutout to the legends.”

Wilson herself has been working towards becoming a WNBA legend. With her third MVP award, she tied Sheryl Swoops, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson for most in league history. Wilson previously won the award in 2020 and 2022. 

2024 was a historic year for Wilson and the league. She set 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, finishing with 1,021 in 38 games played. 

Her 26.9 points per contest average was the most in league history and her 451 total rebounds 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 of the people who helped her get to this point. 

“Obviously I want to thank my parents so much for just everything that they've done, the sacrifices that they've made and holding me accountable,” Wilson said. “I also obviously want to thank South Carolina and Coach Staley and my agent Jade, my team as well and Klutch Sports. I truly wouldn't be standing here today without the hard work and the sacrifices made by all of those people.” 

Wilson became the first player since Cynthia Cooper in the inaugural 1997 season to be named unanimous WNBA MVP. She received all 67 first-place votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Wilson said she never could’ve imagined being named an MVP when she entered the league, let alone a unanimous one. 

“I wouldn't imagine this at all. I would just be happy with making through a training camp roster,” she said. “I know how hard it is.”

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

The Aces finished the regular season 27-13 and earned the fourth seed in the 2024 WNBA playoffs. Las Vegas swept Seattle in the first round of the WNBA postseason two games to none. The team lost game one and two of the second round to New York. Games three, four and five are scheduled for later this week. 

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