A Class By Herself

A’ja Wilson Stands Alone

I generally avoid G.O.A.T. arguments because they almost always turn into people making ridiculous arguments against other all-time greats. That has never made much sense to me. The greatest 100 people ever at anything are unbelievable. On the right day, in the right moment, with the right circumstances, plenty of them had the talent, preparation, and fire to be the best in the world.

That said, I have been covering the WNBA since 2007, and I am comfortable saying this: A’ja Wilson is the greatest player I have ever seen in this league.

It is not particularly close.

Yes, the résumé is overwhelming. The MVPs, the championships, the defensive dominance, the scoring, the rebounding, the efficiency, the consistency — all of that matters. But what separates A’ja is that her greatness is not limited to production. She is also one of the best leaders the league has ever had.

Countless Aces players have come and gone, and the theme is always the same. They talk about her presence. They talk about her standard. They talk about the way she carries herself, the way she competes, and the way she makes everyone around her understand what championship basketball is supposed to look like.

That is rare.

A’ja dominates the game physically, mentally, and emotionally. She can carry an offense, anchor a defense, set the tone in the locker room, and still represent the league with class away from the court. She is a superstar who understands responsibility, and that matters.

Maya Moore and Candace Parker would be No. 2 and No. 3 for me. Both were incredible. Both changed the league. Both belong in every serious conversation.

But A’ja Wilson is in a class by herself.