Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been named the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, extending her record as the most decorated player in the history of the award.
Wilson received 15 of the 17 first-place votes from a national media panel, finishing ahead of Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles and Indiana Fever guards Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.
The latest honour is Wilson’s fourth AP WNBA Player of the Year award since the honour was first introduced in 2016. She had previously been tied with New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart with three awards, but her latest victory moved her clear at the top.
Wilson Continues Historic Run
The 30-year-old centre produced another outstanding regular season for the Aces, leading the WNBA in scoring with 26.2 points per game.
She also averaged 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. Her 3.2 assists represented a career best, while she shot nearly 53% from the field.
Wilson’s performances have also put her in contention for another major individual honour. She is seeking her third consecutive WNBA MVP award and fifth overall MVP title.
Speaking about winning the AP award for a third straight season, Wilson described the achievement as an honour while acknowledging the quality of players across the league.
The Aces star has continued to establish herself among the WNBA’s most accomplished players while remaining a key figure for Las Vegas.
Reese Takes Defensive Award
While Wilson retained the AP Player of the Year honour, she did not win the AP Defensive Player of the Year award this time.
That award went to Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, who produced an impressive season after moving to Atlanta during the offseason.
Reese averaged 16.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game and finished third in the league in steals. She also led the WNBA in rebounding for the third consecutive season.
Wilson had won the AP Defensive Player of the Year award in three of the previous four seasons.
Miles, Clark Among Other Winners
Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles was unanimously selected as the AP Rookie of the Year after helping her team finish the regular season with the WNBA’s best record.
Miles, the second overall pick in this year’s draft, averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game. She also broke Caitlin Clark’s WNBA rookie scoring record during the final week of the regular season.
Clark, meanwhile, was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year after returning to action and averaging 22.3 points and 8.3 assists per game.
Other AP award winners included Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve, who was named Coach of the Year, Dallas Wings forward Jessica Shepard, who won Most Improved Player, and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun, who received the Sixth Woman of the Year award.
Wilson’s latest recognition comes as the WNBA enters its postseason, with the Aces hoping her continued production can help them make another championship run.