A'ja Wilson made basketball history last year with a fourth MVP award, but her thoughts turned away from herself. She used her moment to honor the women who guided her to this path.

In a clip shared on X from CBS Sports' exclusive interview, Wilson revealed what the record actually meant. 

"To be in the history books with most MVPs is something that’s special. Something that I kind of reflect throughout just days of my life. Because I don’t want these small moments to go, to leave, because I am here chasing something else. So I sit back, I think about ones before me. Ones who truly were the stepping stones to where we are now."

Winning 4 MVP awards moved Wilson past WNBA legends Sheryl Swoopes, her idol Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson, all of whom have three MVP titles. And if that's not enough, Wilson managed to overtake them before even turning 30.

When she talked about the people before her, she was acknowledging earlier generations. The players who built the league under much tougher conditions. Wilson thinks her greatness is part of their legacy rather than crediting herself completely for her success. 

Her records include MVP wins in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025. She had a brilliant scoring run in 2024, while 2025 came with a scoring title, a championship run, and her career’s 4th MVP.

Even in early 2026, she is at the top of the list to win MVP this season. However, Wilson is still talking about the history of the league instead of chasing the spotlight. 

Why the Conversation of A'ja Wilson's Legacy Keeps Getting Better

Considering her defensive honors as well, it is understandable to see why she is entering all-time debates.

As of mid-June 2026, she is averaging a league-best 26.1 points per game. She also adds 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 blocks per night. 

She leads her team in key categories, including Player Efficiency Rating and win shares. The Aces sit comfortably with an early record of around 12-4. As a result, she leads the MVP race yet again. 

Her 4th MVP became less about standing above history and more about standing inside it. Do you think she can grab her 5th MVP award this season? 

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Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar