A Class By Herself

I'm not usually interested in Greatest of All Time debates. Generally speaking, they lead to people saying really dumb things.

The reality is that the 100th-best player at anything is still incredibly good. Too often these discussions devolve into tearing down legends in an effort to elevate someone else. That's rarely insightful and almost never useful. If people enjoy those debates, I suppose they're mostly harmless.

Still, after nearly two decades covering the WNBA, I do have an opinion.

A'ja Wilson is the greatest player in league history.

I started covering the WNBA in 2008 for a simple reason: nobody else in the office wanted anything to do with it. I embraced the assignment and it ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to my career. Over the years I've learned to appreciate the league, its evolution, its personalities, and yes, some of its occasionally quirky happenings.

I've watched a lot of great players. Tamika Catchings. Diana Taurasi. Candace Parker. Elena Delle Donne. Maya Moore. Sylvia Fowles. Lauren Jackson. Sue Bird. Breanna Stewart. The list goes on and on.

They were all special, but A'ja Wilson is simply better.

The on-court case is already overwhelming. Her combination of size, athleticism, skill, defense, versatility, efficiency, and consistency is unlike anything the league has seen. She impacts every possession on both ends of the floor and remains the player every opponent spends all week trying to stop.

But what separates A'ja from the other all-time greats isn't just basketball. It's leadership. As a Las Vegas Aces season ticket holder, I've had a front-row seat to one of the most remarkable careers in sports. What stands out most isn't the scoring, rebounding, shot-blocking, or MVP trophies.

It's the respect. I've rarely seen an athlete so universally respected by teammates, coaches, opponents, former teammates, and league personnel. When things go poorly, A'ja takes responsibility. When things go well, she gives credit to others. That's real leadership.

New players enter the Aces organization in awe of her accomplishments. Yet over and over again, those same players quickly learn that Wilson is not only the best player in the building but also a mentor, advocate, and trusted teammate. Most recently, Janiah Barker has spoken openly about the impact Wilson has had on her. Similar stories emerge every season.

You can see it in the small moments as well. Watch the postgame interactions between A'ja and former teammates like Kate Martin and Aliyah Nye. There is genuine affection there. Genuine appreciation. Those relationships don't happen by accident. They happen because people trust her. That's what makes A'ja unique.

There have been many elite players in WNBA history. There have been many champions. There have been many MVPs. There have not been many athletes who combined elite performance with elite leadership at this level. A'ja Wilson does both.

It's also worth noting that the WNBA is in a completely different place than it was when I started covering it in 2008. The league has experienced a massive surge in popularity over the last five years. Much of that growth has been driven by a wave of elite young stars who have brought new fans, new attention, and new energy to the sport.

And the pipeline isn't slowing down. Today's college players are better than ever. The talent level continues to rise, and future stars are going to keep entering the league year after year. The future of women's basketball has never looked brighter.

As great as many of these players are, and many of them are truly special, none of them are close to A'ja Wilson. That isn't intended as criticism of anyone else. It's only a compliment to Wilson.

The young stars entering the league today are incredibly talented and will accomplish remarkable things. Some will become MVPs. Some will win championships. Some will eventually find themselves in Springfield.

But A'ja occupies a different level.

I hope someday I see another player reach the same stratosphere. As someone who loves the league, I'd welcome it. I just don't expect it.

Most GOAT debates begin with an argument over who belongs at number one. In the WNBA, I think the discussion starts at number two. Number one is already firmly established.

A'ja Wilson isn't just the best player of her generation. She's the greatest player in WNBA history.