A’ja Wilson continues to pile up hardware, snatching the Associated Press WNBA Player of the Year for the third straight season. The Las Vegas Aces star, who led her squad to the No. 3 playoff seed, now has *four* of these bad boys, absolutely shattering Breanna Stewart’s record for most in WNBA history since the award started in 2016! Talk about making a statement right before the playoffs kick off.
Wilson’s Record-Shattering Dominance Is A Problem For The League
Let’s be real, Wilson is playing on another level. She didn’t just win; she made history. Breaking Stewart’s tie for the most AP Player of the Year awards? That’s legendary stuff. When asked about it, Wilson’s response, “That’s got a nice ring to it,” and “That’s pretty cool,” just screams quiet confidence. She knows she’s a force. She pulled in 15 of 17 first-place votes, proving the respect she commands across the league. Winning it three times in a row “isn’t easy,” she said, giving props to her “really good” counterparts, but come on, the numbers don’t lie.
Her box score averages for the season were simply ridiculous: 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game! That’s an MVP stat line, no question. She’s only 30 years old, but her resume already has her in discussions for the greatest player in WNBA history. Four league MVPs, three WNBA titles, three scoring titles, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Rookie of the Year, two WNBA Finals MVPs, six block titles, six All-WNBA selections, and five All-Defensive selections. Seriously, she’s probably adding a fifth MVP and more accolades to that list this season.
Angel Reese Steps Up Big in Her Rookie Season
While Wilson was grabbing POY, Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream was busy proving she’s the league’s new defensive menace. Reese snatched the AP’s Defensive Player of the Year honor, a massive achievement in her *first season* with the Dream! This LSU product has been an All-Star for the third straight year, and her suffocating defense even helped the United States grab the gold medal in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. She’s not just a rookie making noise; she’s a certified playmaker.
Reese averaged 16.4 points, a staggering 12.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. That 12.1 rebounds average is just insane, showing her impact on the glass. She’s heading to the postseason for the first time in her career, helping lead the Dream to the No. 4 seed.
The WNBA playoffs are about to erupt this Sunday. Wilson’s Aces are hosting Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, while Reese’s Dream will battle the Washington Mystics. Can you imagine if these two defensive powerhouses face off? We wouldn’t see Wilson and Reese go head-to-head until the WNBA Finals, but if that happens, get ready for an absolute classic. The stakes are huge, and the WNBA is officially on notice.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply