Aces’ A’ja Wilson takes on the doubters, trolls with her 5th WNBA MVP award

A'ja Wilson celebrated her fifth WNBA MVP award by speaking directly to her doubters and trolls in a celebratory video posted on Nike Basketball’s social media platforms. She said, 'I see the trolls. I hear the chatter. Y’all had a lot to say about the first four. I heard it all. I get it. Every year y’all find a new reason it shouldn’t be me. But it is me. Five, to be exact. So keep talking. But if I’m always on your mind … just say you a fan.'

Dawn Staley, who coached Wilson in college, provided narration for the Aces’ social media video and concluded with, 'So to those who doubted, what’s left to say now?' Staley also referenced the 2023 MVP vote on X, noting that Wilson had been the MVP in five of her nine pro seasons, including the controversial year when one voter placed her fourth. Aces minority owner Tom Brady praised the achievement on Instagram, writing '5 MVP’s. More work to do,' accompanied by a goat emoji, as did Raiders star Maxx Crosby, who added '5 time …. 1 of 1.' Wilson’s partner, Bam Adebayo, responded to a Hammon quote calling Wilson the 'best player in the universe' with a single period in the comments, while Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham said on her 'No Hesitation' podcast, 'She’s the best player in the world.'

The Las Vegas Aces will host the Golden State Valkyries in Game 3 of their WNBA semifinal series Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena, aiming to keep their season alive after losing Game 2 and facing elimination. Wilson led the league in scoring and was dominant in advanced metrics en route to her third straight MVP and fifth overall.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal