A’ja Wilson has made WNBA history once again. The Las Vegas Aces superstar has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the fifth time, becoming the first player in WNBA history to win the award in three consecutive seasons. The honor adds another achievement to a career that has already placed Wilson among basketball’s greatest players.

According to ESPN, Wilson received 65 of the 74 first-place votes, finishing ahead of Olivia Miles and Kelsey Mitchell, who placed second and third, respectively. Caitlin Clark finished fourth in the voting, followed by Breanna Stewart. Wilson previously won the award in 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025, and now holds the league record with five MVP honors.

The 2026 season offered another example of Wilson’s dominance. The 30-year-old averaged a league-leading 26.2 points per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. She also averaged 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, leading the WNBA in the latter category. Her scoring average was the second-highest in league history, trailing only the record she established two seasons earlier.

Wilson also became the first player in WNBA history to average at least 25 points while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Despite dealing with back issues during the season, she appeared in 41 of Las Vegas’ 44 games and averaged 32 minutes per contest.

Her latest MVP places her in select company in professional sports. Wilson now shares the distinction of winning five regular-season MVP awards with NBA legends Michael Jordan and Bill Russell, as well as former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Within the WNBA, she has surpassed Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson, who each won the award three times.

Since the Aces selected her with the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Wilson has helped establish Las Vegas as one of the league’s premier franchises. She has led the organization to three championships, including titles in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and earned two WNBA Finals MVP awards.

The former University of South Carolina standout continues to deliver for the franchise that drafted her. Las Vegas finished the regular season with a 31-13 record, winning its final seven games to secure the third seed in the playoffs.

With five MVP awards and three WNBA championships already to her name, Wilson continues to build a career that will be remembered for generations.

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.