History of A'ja Wilson in Timeline

A'ja Wilson is an American professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players of all time and the best of her generation. She currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 8, 1996: A'ja Wilson Born

On August 8, 1996, A'ja Riyadh Wilson was born. She is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Champions Before Aces

In 2023, when the Aces won the WNBA title, they became the first back-to-back WNBA championship since the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2001.

2002: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Champions Before Aces

In 2023, when the Aces won the WNBA title, they became the first back-to-back WNBA championship since the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2002.

2014: National High School Player of the Year

In 2014, A'ja Wilson was named the National High School Player of The Year, a Parade and McDonald's All-American, and the #1 rated ESPN HoopGurlz prospect after leading Heathwood Hall to the state championship as a senior.

2014: Aces First Playoff Berth Since 2014

In 2019, A'ja Wilson helped the Aces get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

2016: First SEC Player of the Year Award

In 2016, as a sophomore, A'ja Wilson won her first SEC Player of the Year award and was a consensus All-American, leading the Gamecocks to an SEC regular season and Tournament Championship.

2017: NCAA Women's Basketball Championship

In 2017, A'ja Wilson helped lead the South Carolina Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship and won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award.

2017: National Championship Win and Most Outstanding Player

In 2017, A'ja Wilson led the Gamecocks to a SEC regular season and Tournament championship and won the school's first national championship, being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

May 2018: Graduation from the University of South Carolina

In May 2018, A'ja Wilson majored in mass communications at the University of South Carolina, graduating in May 2018.

May 2018: Signed with Nike

In May 2018, A'ja Wilson signed with Nike.

May 21, 2018: WNBA Career Debut

On May 21, 2018, A'ja Wilson made her WNBA career debut, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a loss to the Connecticut Sun.

June 16, 2018: Career-High 35 Points

On June 16, 2018, A'ja Wilson scored a career-high 35 points along with 13 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, becoming the second rookie in league history to achieve this feat.

August 2018: Signed with Shaanxi Red Wolves

In August 2018, A'ja Wilson signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018–19 off-season.

October 2018: Endorsement Deal with Mountain Dew

In October 2018, A'ja Wilson signed an endorsement deal with Mountain Dew, becoming the first female basketball player to sign with the brand.

2018: Drafted First Overall by Las Vegas Aces

In 2018, A'ja Wilson was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces, marking a significant milestone in her professional career.

2018: SEC Player of the Year and All-American Honors

In 2018, A'ja Wilson won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, led South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, became the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. She swept all National Player of the Year awards as the best player in women's college basketball.

2018: National Player of the Year Awards

In 2018, A'ja Wilson won all of the National player of the year awards and a record 3rd straight SEC Player of the Year award. She was also a Consensus All-American for the third straight year and finished her college career as the all-time leading scorer for the school.

June 29, 2019: New Career-High 39 Points

On June 29, 2019, A'ja Wilson scored a new career-high 39 points in an overtime victory against the Indiana Fever.

2019: Established A'ja Wilson Foundation

In 2019, A'ja Wilson established the A'ja Wilson Foundation, which advocates for preventing bullying and education around dyslexia.

March 2020: Summer Olympics Postponed

In late March 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government postponed the 2020 Summer Olympics until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: "Crossover Salon" Creation

During the 2020 Wubble season, A'ja Wilson continued her partnership with Mountain Dew and helped create the "Crossover Salon" to provide haircuts for players and coaches in the WNBA isolation zone.

2020: First WNBA MVP Award

In 2020, A'ja Wilson won her first WNBA MVP award with the Las Vegas Aces, recognizing her outstanding performance during the season.

2020: MVP Award and Finals Appearance

In the 2020 season, A'ja Wilson carried the Aces to the WNBA Finals and won the MVP award.

April 2021: Started Burnt Wax Candle Company

In April 2021, A'ja Wilson started Burnt Wax Candle Company, a luxury candle line.

June 21, 2021: Named to Team USA Olympic Roster

On June 21, 2021, A'ja Wilson was named to the 12-player roster for Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics. She and Team USA went on to win the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Japan 90–75 in the final.

2021: Limited-Edition Mountain Dew Hoodie and Durag Release

In the summer of 2021, before the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game, A'ja Wilson designed and released a limited-edition Mountain Dew hoodie and durag commemorating her 2020 MVP award.

August 2022: Partnership with Ruffles and Signature Chip Release

In August 2022, A'ja Wilson became the first female athlete to sign a multi-year sponsorship deal with Ruffles and released a signature chip, Smoky BBQ Ruffles Ridge Twists.

2022: First WNBA Title

In 2022, A'ja Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, marking a significant achievement in her career and for the team.

2022: Second MVP and First Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2022, A'ja Wilson won her second MVP and first Defensive Player of the Year award, averaging 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. She led the Aces to their second finals appearance, where they defeated the Connecticut Sun in four games, giving Wilson her first championship.

June 30, 2023: Contract Extension with Aces

On June 30, 2023, A'ja Wilson signed a contract extension with the Aces, ensuring she would remain in Las Vegas.

August 22, 2023: New Career High 53 Points

On August 22, 2023, A'ja Wilson achieved a new career high in points, scoring 53 points along with 7 rebounds in a 112–100 victory over the Atlanta Dream, tying the WNBA's single game record.

2023: Repeat as Defensive Player of the Year

Despite a strong 2023 regular season, A'ja Wilson repeated as Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.

2023: Second Consecutive WNBA Title and Finals MVP

In 2023, A'ja Wilson and the Aces won their second consecutive WNBA title, and A'ja was awarded her first Finals MVP for her impressive performance.

2023: Finals MVP and Second Title

In 2023, A'ja Wilson secured her second title while earning Finals MVP, cementing her dominance in the league.

February 2024: Publication of "Dear Black Girls"

In February 2024, A'ja Wilson published her first book, Dear Black Girls, which became a The New York Times best seller that same month, marking a significant achievement in her career beyond basketball.

Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You

Check it on Amazon

April 2024: Named one of Time's 100 most influential people

In April 2024, A'ja Wilson was named by Time in their 2024 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, marking a significant recognition of her impact and influence.

May 14, 2024: Response to commentary on Clark's popularity

On May 14, 2024, during the press conference before her professional debut in the WNBA, Clark responded to Wilson's commentary on Clark's rapid rise in popularity in relation to her race and emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for every player in women's basketball and sharing the love to elevate the league.

May 2024: Endorsement Deal with Gatorade

In May 2024, A'ja Wilson signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Gatorade and was featured in the company's "IT Hasn't Changed" ad campaign, a revival of its late 1990s "Is It In You?" campaign.

May 2024: Signature Sneaker Release

Six years later in May 2024, A'ja Wilson and Nike announced that she would be the 13th player in WNBA history to design and release a signature sneaker, the A'One.

June 5, 2024: Historic Performance Against Dallas Wings

On June 5, 2024, in a match-up against the Dallas Wings, A'ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in a single game.

June 2024: Named to US Olympic Team

In June 2024, A'ja Wilson was again named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France. She led the United States to defeat France in the final, earning her second consecutive gold medal and the United States' eighth consecutive gold medal. Wilson was named the MVP of the tournament.

July 7, 2024: Aces All-Time Leading Scorer

On July 7, 2024, A'ja Wilson became the Las Vegas Aces' all-time leading scorer in a game against the Dallas Wings.

July 2024: Cover athlete for NBA 2K25

In July 2024, A'ja Wilson was named the co-cover athlete for the All-Star edition (alongside Jayson Tatum) and solo cover athlete for the WNBA edition of NBA 2K25, a popular video game. This made Wilson the first WNBA player to be featured on a cover of a global edition of the game.

2024: Partnership with Nike to produce leggings

In 2024, A'ja Wilson began working with Nike to produce a line of leggings specifically designed for the single sleeve, influenced by her own fashion and sports trend of wearing a single sleeve on her left leg during basketball games.

2024: Stats Current Through End of 2024 Season

This entry indicates that the statistics are current through the end of the 2024 season.

August 10, 2025: 30+ Points and 20 Rebounds

On August 10, 2025, in a 94–86 win over the Connecticut Sun, A'ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to record 30+ points and 20 rebounds in the same game.

August 23, 2025: Multiple 30+ Point Seasons

On August 23, 2025, with 36 points in a win over the Washington Mystics, A'ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to record multiple seasons in which she scored 30 or more points at least 10 times.

September 21, 2025: Fourth League MVP Award

On September 21, 2025, A'ja Wilson was announced as league MVP, becoming the first player in WNBA history to earn the award four times.

October 10, 2025: Third WNBA Championship and Second Finals MVP

On October 10, 2025, A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA Championship, beating the Phoenix Mercury 4–0 in the series. This was her third championship in four years and second WNBA Finals MVP award. She is the only player in the WNBA or NBA to ever win the scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP in the same season.

December 2025: Athlete of the Year Awards

In December 2025, A'ja Wilson was named by the Associated Press as its female Athlete of the Year, and was also named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year.

2025: Third Championship Title and Historic Season

In 2025, A'ja Wilson led the Aces to a third championship title, becoming the first WNBA or NBA player to win a scoring title, be a champion, Finals MVP, MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.