Already having arguably one of the best seasons in WNBA history, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson accomplished a league-first on Sunday.
In the Aces’ 84-71 victory, Wilson led the way with a team-high 29 points. The output helped her become the first player in league history to reach 1,000 points in a single season.
To put Wilson’s accomplishment into context, only six players in WNBA history have eclipsed 800 points in a season, per Stathead. Meanwhile, only three players have topped 900 points, including Jewell Loyd (939, 2023) and Breanna Stewart (919, 2023). The 27-year-old Wilson is the only player to do it twice, though, having accomplished the feat this year and last (912).
Wilson should get used to celebrating records as she’s likely to set another in the Aces’ next game, Tuesday at the Seattle Storm. Recording eight rebounds on Sunday, she has 443 on the year, four shy of overtaking Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese (446) for the single-season mark.
Wilson’s penchant for scoring is well-known, but her incredible rebounding numbers place her amongst rare company, too. She’s the fourth WNBA player to grab 400 or more boards in a season, joining Reese, Sylvia Fowles (404, 2018) and Jonquel Jones (403, 2017).
Along with reaching the 1,000-point mark and the rebounding crown to come, Wilson has a resume bursting at the seams with notable achievements. A two-time MVP and WNBA champion, she’s also a former Rookie of the Year (2018) and has earned numerous All-WNBA (4x), All-Defensive Team (3x) and Defensive Player of the Year (2x) honors.
With Reese and Rookie of the Year Award favorite Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever breaking onto the scene, there are more eyes than ever on the league. That should rightfully lead to more pub for Wilson, who is arguably one of the best players in WNBA history only seven seasons into her career.
