The 2024 WNBA season will go down in history as a transcendent time year for women’s basketball. Statistically, the viewership skyrocketed across all levels. Whether the collegiate game, professional ranks, or international play, more people watched the sport than ever before. While much of this directly correlates with the rookie phenoms, the excitement certainly ranges beyond Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. That said, A’ja Wilson just concluded the most impressive season in league history by receiving unanimous MVP and DPOY honors. What made her year so unprecedented?
Let’s start with her overall production. Last season, Wilson averaged 26.9 PPG, 11.9 RBG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, and 2.6 BPG with 52/32/84 splits. She ranked top-ten in the WNBA across the following categories:
- Games (1)
- Minutes Played (4)
- Field Goals (1)
- Field Goal Attempts (1)
- 2-Point Field Goals (1)
- 2-Point Field Goal Attempts (1)
- Free Throws (1)
- Free Throw Attempts (1)
- Offensive Rebounds (9)
- Defensive Rebounds (1)
- Total Rebounds (1)
- Steals (3)
- Blocks (1)
- Field Goal Percentage (7)
- PER (1)
- Rebound Percentage (7)
- Block Percentage (1)
- Turnover Percentage (1)
- Offensive Rating (1)
- Defensive Rating (2)
- Win Shares (1)
The numbers are insane and the rankings are unbelievable. Wilson is firmly in her prime and just received her third MVP award in five seasons. While the growing popularity of the WNBA is phenomenal, folks need to understand that no one else should’ve even been considered. Kudos to the aforementioned names for having memorable rookie seasons, but there is no “MVP conversation” to be had. If anything, this is one of the most lopsided award races in modern sports history. Add in a gold medal as the focal point for Team USA and the universal acceptance of Wilson’s dominance among her peers, and it’s pretty difficult to ignore the obvious.
Taking it a step further, we can compare this MVP season to the previous 27 award winners. Wilson’s numbers this season rank in PPG (1), RPG (1), SPG (8), BPG (2), FG% (7), and win shares (1) among various other metrics. This is a unique, incredibly rarified situation for any player to reach this level of dominance in any sport. Today is yet another day Wilson should be celebrated, as she continues to trend towards being arguably the greatest women’s basketball player ever.