How A’ja Wilson’s leadership fueled the most impressive season of a player already in the GOAT conversation

By the time the buzzer sounded in Phoenix on Friday night and Las Vegas Ace clinched victory in the WNBA Finals over Phoenix Mercury to win their third championship in four years, there was no doubt who would be named Finals MVP.

It was Aja Wilson Presented at the culmination of Agee Wilson's season, the trophy is reminiscent of the midpoint of the Agee Wilson era of women's basketball. It's hard to have a real conversation about the GOAT when a player is in the prime of her career, but it's clear that you can't start that conversation without mentioning Wilson – and it seems inevitable that one day soon her name will end, too.

But there will still be time for this debate, however short it may be. At this point, I can confidently say this: This was the most impressive season of her already HOF-worthy career. And it's not that he led the league in points (23.4), blocks (2.3) and efficiency (29.2), was second in rebounds (10.2) and fourth in steals (1.6). Or because she led the Aces to a 16-game winning streak to end the regular season. Or because last month she won the MVP award over Lisa Leslie, Lauren Jackson and Cheryl Swoopes to become the first four-time MVP in WNBA history. Or because she averaged 26.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.5 blocks and 2.1 steals per game this postseason, career highs in every category except rebounding. Or because on Wednesday night she hit one of the most iconic game-winning shots in Finals history to give the Aces a 3-0 series lead. Either because she became the first WNBA player, or NBA to win scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same year.

Of course these things matter. But what really set her season apart was her leadership.

I'm not the only one who says this. Las Vegas head coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson's leadership ahead of last month's MVP presentation, recalling that during “awkward moments” this season, Wilson began pulling her teammates aside one by one and joining in with them.

“It’s the result of all the work you don’t see,” Hammon said. “You know, she's just a tireless worker, and where she's led us this year from where we've been – if there was a leadership prize, you know, it's the MVP skills prize, but she's been great at navigating through some really rough waters.”

All championship teams talk about their struggles in dramatic terms. But Hammon and the A's aren't exaggerating when they look back on their lackluster performance in 2025. The A's hovered around the .500 mark for the first few months of the season, and things went south on August 2 when they lost by 53 points at home to the A's Minnesota Links drop to 14-14. At this moment Nafisa Collier was also the overwhelming favorite to win the MVP award.

ESPN's Michael Vaupel reported that after the 53-point loss, Wilson sent her teammates a message that set the tone for the rest of the season: “If you weren’t embarrassed about yesterday, don’t come to this gym. You are not wanted or wanted here. We need to change our mindset because it was awkward.”

But she didn't approach them simply as a group and digitally; she found a way to tell the truth to each of them and bring out the best in them in the process.

According to the point guard Chelsea GrayDuring the first half of the season, Wilson bluntly told her, “I'll never have more assists than you.” According to ESPN's Katie BarnesPrior to this remark, Gray averaged just 4.3 assists per game; For the remainder of the season, Gray averaged 7.1 assists per game. Gray has averaged 7.5 assists per game this postseason, a career high for the 32-year-old point guard, who now has four WNBA championships – three with Wilson and the A's and one since 2016 with Los Angeles Sparks.

It says a lot about Wilson's character that not only was she willing to call out one of the best point guards in WNBA history, but that over the years she had built up enough trust and influence with Gray that Gray could actually listen to her and not just defend himself.

What's even more telling is that she seems to have the same level of trust and influence over every member of the team. Twenty-five-year-old forward NaLissa Smith was traded to the Aces from Dallas Wings mid-season. She had never played with Wilson before, but had long been a fan of his, and cameras captured Wilson giving Smith advice and encouragement on the court. during a preseason game earlier in the year when the two were still on opposing teams.

Wilson immediately took Smith under her wing after the trade, helped her adapt to the team by giving her advice, motivating her throughout the game, and making sure she stayed mentally focused. This investment has paid off. Smith played some of the best basketball of her career this summer and played a key role in the A's success.

But in my opinion, the most impressive display of her leadership was the video the Aces posted on social media after Wilson won the MVP award. In the video Wilson was surprised by the handwritten congratulations from each of her teammates. She cried while reading each one out loud, and after hearing them all, I don't blame her.

One by one, her teammates showered Wilson with words of praise, words that went well beyond the normal conversations with teammates.

“I remember last year at your last press conference you mentioned that you wanted to become a better leader. I just wanted to tell you that you are the best leader I have ever had and I am so lucky to compete with you.” Dana Evansbackup point guard in his first season with the A's, wrote.

“People can talk all day long about what kind of basketball player you are because you are the best. But I want to tell you how much you mean to people as a person.” Kierstan Bellwho just completed her fourth year with the Aces, said. “You show up every single day and make it clear that you will run through a wall for the people you love, so there is no doubt that I will do the same for you someday.”

Megan Gustafson added that Wilson is “truly one of the best leaders I have ever seen. When you leave, we will leave.” Kia Stokes wrote: “You are the epitome of a humble superstar, a leader by example and a selfless person.” Jewell Loyd said: “Being your teammate is a privilege, but being your friend is a blessing. The way you serve and show interest in your people is a testament to your character.” Jackie Young wrote: “I thank you for making me come out of my shell, always believing in me and scolding me when I needed it.” Cheyenne Parker-Tueswho gave birth to her second child this season, said, “The way you carry yourself is truly top notch and I pray that my daughter has the same amount of love, strength and greatness that you show every day as a true leader and champion.”

And Smith shed light on exactly why Wilson's leadership is so effective: “The type of person you are, the type of leader that you are, makes me want to work harder every day, not just for myself, but because my favorite player believes in me. … I thank you every day from the bottom of my heart for being the person you are to me and helping me fall in love with basketball again.”

Even more touching than the words themselves were Wilson's reactions to every name she read and every compliment she received. Her obsession and adoration for each of her teammates was palpable on screen.

“This team, oh man, I will never stop talking about this team and my teammates. They are my heartbeat, they are my heartstrings. They are the reason I love coming to work every single day and I am so grateful that I get to call them my teammates, my sisters, my assistants, my partner, everything in between. I'm blessed. I’m truly blessed,” she said.

It's not unusual to see stars getting along with or admiring teammates during important moments. But to see a superstar of Wilson's caliber having such a genuine connection with her entire cast, top to bottom, is truly rare. Ultimately, this is what sets Wilson apart from everyone else. Her greatness comes from responsibility, not drama. Her confidence lifts people up rather than tearing them down. She knows how important she is to her team and the game as a whole, but seems to truly believe that everyone in her circle matters equally.

This season has tested Wilson like no other. And she didn’t just pass, she made sure that everyone around her passed too. This is also on her GOAT resume.