Caitlin Clark may have done enough to lock up the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award, but a tough challenge lies ahead if she hopes to be named league MVP later on in her career.
This year’s Most Valuable Player accolade is all-but guaranteed to go to A’ja Wilson, who is currently in the midst of one of the greatest individual seasons that the WNBA has ever seen. The Las Vegas Aces phenom made history Wednesday night in an 86-75 win over the Indiana Fever by recording the most points in a single season with 956. Jewell Loyd set the now-broken record of 939 last year.
Speaking to reporters on the heels of the magnificent feat, Wilson joked: “It feels great because now people will stop talking about it. Felt like it was just like lingering, lingering, lingering, so I’m glad that we got it done.”
On a more serious note, Wilson fought back tears while crediting her teammates for all their help. “I don’t want to sound cliche when I say this, but I don’t get any of that without every single teammate along the way,” she continued.
“And I’m so grateful to be able to play with selfless women. They give it their all every single day, and they’re their pure selves, and that’s what I love the most. My teammates, they’re the heartbeat, they keep me going.”
Through 35 games, Wilson leads the WNBA in points (27.3) and blocks (2.7) per game, while additionally ranking second in rebounds (11.9) and steals (1.9). The utterly dominant performance this season has caught the attention of stars across the world of sports, including former NFL quarterback Tom Brady.
Tom Brady praised A’ja Wilson for recording the most points in a single season (
Getty Images)
Taking to social media following Wilson’s latest historic accomplishment, Brady – who owns a minority share of the Aces – wrote: “There are so many incredible players in the @WNBA right now. But there’s only one @_ajawilson22.”
Brady’s high praise is a stark reminder to Clark, who is rightfully considered one of the “incredible” players actively in the WNBA but has a ways to go before reaching the same level of dominance as Wilson.
Ahead of Wednesday’s faceoff against Wilson, Clark heaped praise on the 28-year-old. “You watch her and it’s just unguardable,” she began.
“There’s nothing anybody can do to stop it. She’s just that dominant, whether it’s her mid-range game, she can put it on the floor, she’s just so athletic, but also she affects the game on both ends.
“Like, she’s a really great defensive player, great rim protector, just so athletic. And obviously she’s been able to shoot the three pretty well this year too. It’s fun to watch. Everybody in the league knows you can’t guard it, you basically just live with what she’s going to do to you every single night. You contain it as best you can.”