Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson took aim at WNBA fans who think the only reason people know her body of work in basketball is due to the popularity of Caitlin Clark.
Wilson remarked on the league’s unprecedented growth in an interview with Marie Claire but demanded respect for her resumé in the league.
And she’s right.
“I felt like I was mentally tired in that whole whirlwind of people constantly saying, ‘A’ja you’re only known because of Caitlin; we’re only here because of Caitlin,’” Wilson told the outlet.
“And that’s great, I get that, but while you’re here I’m not going to let you discredit me or the work that I’ve done, or my teammates or the people who came before have done.”
A’ja Wilson Is Right, Caitlin Clark Fans Are Too
Here’s the thing – both A’ja Wilson and fans of Caitlin Clark are right in some manner. Wilson has had an impeccable career in the WNBA and deserves credit as such.
She is the best player right now – by far. She’s been the best the WNBA has to offer for a few years – by far.
At just 27 years of age, Wilson is a two-time WNBA champion, a two-time league MVP, a Finals MVP, and has won just about every award one can think of during her career.
Earlier this season she put up a historic stat line in an Aces win over the Dallas Wings – 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 steals.
In doing so, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to have at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 steals in a game. She is also the only woman to eclipse 35 points and 5 steals in multiple games.
This season she leads the league in points by a wide margin with 27.2, leads in blocks, is second in rebounding, and fourth in steals. Meaning she’ll probably be getting her third league MVP when all is said and done.
RELATED: Las Vegas Aces Star A’ja Wilson Absolutely Blasts Team For Hanging With Usher After Brutal Loss
The American Dream
Wilson has every right to command respect from WNBA fans. She’s earned that right. And she can voice her opinion and defend herself if she feels it necessary.
Equally true though, is that very few people were paying attention before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
It’s just true. It’s up to the league to market Wilson appropriately now.
Four-time NBA champion Draymond Green has praised the Aces star as a potential “goldmine” for the WNBA.
“I’m not saying Caitlin Clark is the best thing since sliced bread, quite frankly,” he said during a podcast last month. “If you want my opinion, that’s A’ja Wilson.”
Green even went so far as to declare Wilson would wind up being the greatest player of all time.
“If you want my honest opinion, best thing since sliced bread in the WNBA, to me, is A’ja Wilson,” he continued. “A’ja Wilson is great. And by the way, A’ja Wilson to me is the American dream.”
Wilson is an established all-time great who can get her due now thanks in large part to Clark’s star power. That’s good news for both women. The rising tide of Clark is lifting all boats.
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