LAS VEGAS — A’ja Wilson has officially made basketball history again. The Las Vegas Aces superstar has been named the 2026 WNBA Most Valuable Player, becoming the first player in league history to win five MVP awards and the first to capture the honor in three consecutive seasons.
The announcement on Thursday, October 8, marks another extraordinary milestone for the 30-year-old superstar, whose dominance continues to reshape conversations about the greatest players in women's basketball history.
A Historic Three-Peat That Sets Wilson Apart
Wilson previously earned WNBA MVP honors in 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Her latest victory extends her all-time record to five awards, placing her two ahead of former WNBA legends Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Lauren Jackson.
Even more impressive, Wilson becomes the first player in the WNBA's 30-year history to win three consecutive MVP awards.
Her achievement also puts her in elite company across professional basketball. NBA legends Michael Jordan and Bill Russell each won five regular-season MVP awards, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds six.
Wilson has now reached a level of individual recognition that few basketball players, regardless of league, have achieved.
A'ja Wilson's Dominant 2026 WNBA Season
Wilson's latest MVP award was supported by another outstanding statistical performance.
26.2
Points per game
9.4
Rebounds per game
3.2
Assists per game
1.9
Blocks per game
Wilson led the WNBA in scoring for the third consecutive season while shooting approximately 52.7% from the field. She also averaged 1.4 steals across 41 games, demonstrating her influence on both ends of the court.
Her combination of scoring efficiency, rebounding, defensive presence and leadership made her one of the league's most complete players throughout the regular season.
Wilson Dominates the 2026 WNBA MVP Voting
Wilson received 65 of 74 first-place votes from the national media panel, finishing with 713 total voting points.
The final MVP voting results were:
Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
A'ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | 713 |
Olivia Miles | Minnesota Lynx | 442 |
Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | 287 |
Caitlin Clark | Indiana Fever | 212 |
Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | 171 |
Minnesota rookie Olivia Miles finished second after an impressive debut season, while Indiana's Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark placed third and fourth.
Wilson's substantial lead in the voting reflected the recognition she received for her remarkable regular-season production.
Las Vegas Aces Continue Their Championship Pursuit
While Wilson celebrates another individual achievement, her attention remains focused on helping Las Vegas compete for another WNBA championship.
The Aces finished the regular season with a 31-13 record and advanced to the WNBA semifinals for the eighth consecutive season.
However, Las Vegas faces a difficult challenge against the Golden State Valkyries, trailing 2-0 in their best-of-five semifinal series as of October 8.
With three WNBA championships already on her résumé, Wilson continues to pursue the team success that has helped define her career.
Is A'ja Wilson the Greatest WNBA Player of All Time?
The debate surrounding the greatest player in WNBA history has featured legendary names such as Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Sheryl Swoopes, Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson.
Wilson's fifth MVP award strengthens her argument for the top spot.
Her career now features an unprecedented collection of regular-season MVP honors, multiple championships, defensive awards and scoring accomplishments.
What separates Wilson from many of her contemporaries is her ability to dominate offensively while remaining one of basketball's most intimidating defensive players.
And at just 30 years old, she could have several more productive seasons ahead.
A Defining Moment for Women's Basketball
Wilson's historic achievement arrives during an era of growing attention around women's professional basketball.
As new stars enter the league and established veterans continue to compete at an elite level, Wilson remains one of the defining figures of her generation.
Her fifth MVP trophy represents more than another personal accomplishment. It establishes a new standard for sustained excellence in the WNBA.
For A'ja Wilson, the record books have already been rewritten. The question now is how much further she can extend her legacy.
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