By Doug Feinberg • Associated Press
A’ja Wilson once again stood at the pinnacle of the WNBA in 2025, capturing a historic fourth MVP award while guiding the Las Vegas Aces to their third championship in four seasons. Her dominance earned her another prestigious honor on Wednesday: The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, the first time she has won the award. She follows Caitlin Clark, who received the award in 2024.
“It’s such an honor when you look at the women who’ve won this before,” Wilson said in a phone interview. “To have my name included—it’s truly a blessing.”
Wilson becomes just the fifth basketball player to receive the award since its inception in 1931, joining Sheryl Swoopes (1993), Rebecca Lobo (1995), Candace Parker (2008, 2021), and Caitlin Clark (2024).
A panel of 47 AP journalists and members voted on the award. Wilson led with 17 votes, followed by tennis star Aryna Sabalenka with nine, and Paige Bueckers with five. She was also recently honored as Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year.
Aces head coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson with rare emphasis:
“The things she’s done have never been done before. She’s in her own category. People ask who’s on your Mount Rushmore—I say she’s on Everest. No one else is up there with her.”
On the men’s side, Shohei Ohtani won AP Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time.
Hammon said Wilson’s greatness stems not just from her skill, but from her humility and grounded personality.
“She’s unbelievably talented but also the easiest star to coach. That mix of grace, humility, and incredible ability is why she keeps breaking barriers.”
This year, the Aces battled more adversity than in their previous title runs. With a month left in the regular season, Las Vegas was hovering at .500 and had just suffered a record 53-point loss to Minnesota. But Wilson carried the team, leading them to 16 straight wins to clinch the No. 2 seed—and ultimately another championship.
“I really found myself this season through all the adversity,” Wilson said.
Even though her numbers remained elite, Wilson heard the criticism that she wasn’t playing at the same level as the year before. She used the noise as motivation, finishing the season averaging 23.4 points and 2.3 blocks per game, both league highs.
“I’m always ready for the noise,” she said. “People will always talk. I’m just going to keep proving why I’m one of the greatest and why we’re a dynasty.”
Wilson elevated her play even further in the postseason. The Aces survived multiple win-or-go-home games and swept Phoenix in the Finals, with Wilson hitting the championship-winning shot in Game 3.
ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo noted Wilson’s remarkable consistency:
“Expectations for her are insanely high. Even if she wasn’t unanimous MVP this time, she played some of the best basketball of her career in the playoffs. Every year you wonder how she’ll improve—and she always does.”
Wilson became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and lead the league in scoring all in the same season.
By winning her fourth MVP, she surpassed legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, who each had three.
Wilson plans to enjoy a relaxed offseason without playing overseas or participating in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league. She’s already checked off one major bucket-list item: meeting Beyoncé at the Las Vegas Formula 1 race.
“It was amazing. Beyoncé is someone I’ve always wanted to meet—I admire her so much.”
Wilson continues to expand her influence off the court as well. Her Nike shoe and apparel line debuted to massive success, with her signature shoe selling out within minutes.
“It blows me away,” she said. “When I see people wearing my shoe, it reminds me every day how special this moment is. I’m so grateful.”
