A'ja Wilson becomes WNBA's first five-time MVP
Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson became the first five-time Most Valuable Player in WNBA history on 9 October 2026, and she was informed of the award by former US vice-president Kamala Harris. A ceremony to mark the achievement is due to take place on Friday night.
Wilson averaged 26.2 points this season, the second-highest single-season average in WNBA history behind her own 26.9 in 2024, and the award is her third consecutive MVP. No other WNBA player has won more than three MVP awards; Wilson previously won in 2020 and 2022 and now joins Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as five-time MVP winners, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won six.
She received 65 of 74 first-place votes for the honour and was handed the news via a voice message from Kamala Harris. After receiving the latest MVP on the Aces' practice court, Wilson became emotional, saying: "When you dream as a young girl, you dream so big and you write your goals out and you just never imagine you will be able to check them off," Wilson said "I think that's why I cried a little bit harder on this one because 15-year-old A'ja wasn't sitting up here dreaming about being a five-time MVP, she wasn't dreaming about being a three-time champion, she was dreaming about surviving this world."
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised Wilson's standing in the game, saying: "I've said [before] 'Take her off Mount Rushmore, she's Everest," Aces coach Becky Hammon said. "Now, I'm taking her off Everest and I just have to put her on a different planet." Despite the planned presentation, Wilson has declined to participate in the celebratory events ahead of the team’s crucial play-off fixtures.
Wilson cited recent history when explaining her decision after the Aces staged a pre-game ceremony for her last year and then lost game one of their play-off semi-final; the team also suffered a heavy defeat after receiving their championship rings in May. "I love the fans, but I will not be doing that," she said. "I will be warming up with my team. Everyone knows how much of a competitor I am [and] what my main focus is."
Statistically this season Wilson led the league in scoring for the third straight year, registered at least 20 points in 33 games — the third-highest single-season streak in WNBA history — and tied her own WNBA single-season record with 13 games of at least 30 points. She is an eight-time All-Star and has won three league titles with the Aces in the past four years.
The Aces currently trail the Golden State Valkyries 2-0 in their best-of-five semi-final and face elimination in a must-win third game.
