A’ja Wilson turns 30 on Saturday, and she’ll mark the milestone on one of the WNBA’s biggest regular-season stages when the Las Vegas Aces visit the Minnesota Lynx at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. Already a four-time WNBA MVP and three-time league champion, Wilson has built a résumé most players can only chase — and she is still firmly in her prime. As she begins a new decade, the question feels more relevant than ever: has A’ja Wilson already entered the WNBA GOAT conversation?
The debate over the greatest WNBA player of all time still includes several towering names, most notably Diana Taurasi, the league’s all-time leading scorer, who retired with six Olympic gold medals and three WNBA championships. Wilson’s case, however, is becoming harder to ignore. She already owns the most MVP awards in league history, has captured three WNBA titles and continues to perform at an elite level with more basketball still ahead of her.
Watch the WNBA on Paramount+ throughout the season. Paramount+ and CBS are carrying a record 20 games during the 2026 regular season, including Aces at Lynx this Saturday.
Wilson told CBS Sports in June that she never takes the “gift of playing basketball” for granted. For her, each season is another chance to bring offseason work into the spotlight and keep pushing the standard for what dominance looks like in the WNBA. During All-Star weekend, though, she offered a more revealing glimpse into what continues to fuel her.
“My haters. I really do love proving people wrong,” Wilson said. “I love showing up as my true self and just making random people mad. I think that’s really kind of what I love doing. Now, does it come with rings, banners and trophies? Of course, that’s cute. But there’s nothing like showing up as your true self in life, loving in that, and loving in that space. Being in that space is always fun.”
There is no single formula for deciding the GOAT in any sport, and the WNBA is no exception. Longevity, championships, individual awards, peak performance and impact on the game all matter. With that in mind, Wilson’s accomplishments already stack up impressively against the greatest players in league history:
A’ja Wilson’s major WNBA achievements
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Four-time MVP
Wilson already holds the record for most MVP awards and is currently the top candidate for this season. Her first one came in 2020 during the shortened bubble season. In 2022, she won her second while leading the Aces to their first-ever championship. She was the unanimous MVP in 2024 after setting a single-season scoring record, and got the award again in 2025 while also being named Defensive Player of the Year.
And let’s be honest, it could have probably been five MVP Awards. It’s hard to forget how she lost to Breanna Stewart in 2023, with Alyssa Thomas being another top candidate. Wilson said “it hurt like hell” to lose that one, but she let the Aces’ championship trophy that year — and a t-shirt with the voting breakdown printed in the back — do the talking.
Most MVPs in WNBA History
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A’ja Wilson
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4
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Lisa Leslie
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3
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Sheryl Swoopes
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3
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Lauren Jackson
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3
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Three-time Defensive Player of the Year
There is no doubt that Wilson is one of the top defenders in the league. She has led the league in blocks per game in five different seasons (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and has already entered the top 10 for most career blocks in the WNBA, currently sitting at No. 6 with 591 and counting.
Tamika Catchings has the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards record with five (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, and 2012) and Sylvia Fowles is in second place with four (2011, 2013, 2016, and 2021). Wilson is tied with Sheryl Swoopes at three, while also being one of the favorites this season.
However, her combination of MVP and DPOY awards makes Wilson stand out. Notably, she is the WNBA’s all-time leader in career scoring average at 21.9 points per game while also ranking fourth in rebounds per game (9.4) and blocks per game (2.0).
Players with multiple MVPs and DPOYs
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A’ja Wilson
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4
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3
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Sheryl Swoopes
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3
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3
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Lisa Leslie
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3
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2
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Wilson looking to add more championship rings
Wilson is looking for her fourth WNBA title this season, which would tie her with legends like Cynthia Cooper, Maya Moore, Sheryl Swoopes and Sue Bird.
The only player in WNBA history to win five titles is Rebekkah Brunson. Wilson’s teammate, Chelsea Gray, won a championship in 2016 with the Los Angeles Sparks before joining the Aces and winning three titles alongside Wilson. If Las Vegas wins this year, Gray would make history with her fifth ring.
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Rebekkah Brunson
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5
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Seimone Augustus
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4
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Sue Bird
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4
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Cynthia Cooper
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4
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Chelsea Gray
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4
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Maya Moore
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4
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Sheryl Swoopes
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4
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Tina Thompson
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4
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How A’ja Wilson compares to legends before 30
Keep an eye on Wilson this weekend because she has played well on her birthday:
- 2023 against Dallas: 28 points on 10 of 18 shooting, 14 rebounds and zero turnovers
- 2025 against Seattle: 29 points on 11 of 24 shooting, 12 rebounds and just two turnovers
Her 30th birthday is also a good time to reflect on how much she has achieved in her 20s compared to other top players. For the under-30 crowd, she is first in points, second in rebounds, third in blocks, tied for first in Defensive Player of the Year awards and first in MVPs and All-Star nods.
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- A’ja Wilson — 6,491
- Lauren Jackson — 5,757
- Diana Taurasi — 5,444
- Tina Charles — 5,423
- A’ja Wilson — 8
- Lauren Jackson — 7
- 10 players tied with 6
- A’ja Wilson — 4
- Lauren Jackson — 3
- Breanna Stewart — 2
- Candace Parker — 2
- Elena Delle Donne — 2
- A’ja Wilson — 3
- Tamika Catchings — 3
- Brittney Griner — 2
- Sylvia Fowles — 2
Other WNBA GOAT candidates
When looking at these other candidates, we have to remember that these are their achievements at the end of their careers. Future longevity could give Wilson an edge because she is still in her prime with many years ahead.
Diana Taurasi
- WNBA’s all-time leading scorer (10,646 career points)
- Three WNBA championships (2007, 2009, 2014)
- MVP in 2009
- WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2004
- Single-season leading scorer five times (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- 11-time WNBA All-Star
Cynthia Cooper
- Four consecutive WNBA titles with the Houston Comets (1997–2000)
- Two-time MVP (1997 and 1998)
- Led the league in scoring three consecutive years (1997-99)
- Three-time WNBA All-Star
Lisa Leslie
- Two-time WNBA champion (2001, 2002)
- Three-time MVP (2001, 2004, 2006)
- Two-time DPOY (2004, 2008)
- Eight-time WNBA All-Star
Maya Moore
- Four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
- MVP in 2014
- Rookie of the Year in 2011
- Led the league in scoring in 2014
- Six-time WNBA All-Star
Tamika Catchings
- WNBA Championship in 2012
- MVP in 2011
- DOPY five times (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012)
- Ten-time WNBA All-Star
- Led the league in steals for eight seasons
- All-time steals leader (1,074 regular-season steals)
- Rookie of the Year in 2002
