As the WNBA playoffs get set to begin in just a few days, the league’s MVP for this season is soon to be announced. As many expected at the beginning of the year, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is fully expected to take home the award. Wilson was once again extremely dominant all season, and she took her game to the next level at 28 years old.
The forward/center established career highs in points per game (26.9), rebounds per game (11.9), steals per game (1.8) and blocks per game (2.6). Her prowess on the boards is what really stood out; so much so that she ended up breaking the single-season WNBA record for rebounds. But she got there mainly due to Angel Reese being shut down for the season with an injury – Reese had set the record before she got injured.
A’ja Wilson downplays single-season rebound record
While speaking about the record, Wilson was quite nonchalant, not placing much emphasis on it. In fact, some people believe she took a veiled shot at Reese in the process.
That’s cool… I don’t hunt rebounds, so it’s not something that’s always on my mind. When it comes to just getting the basketball for my team, I’m 6-4 and I’m around the basket, I hope I can grab a couple rebounds for my team. But when it comes to just getting them to get them, I’m not focused on that, I’m focused on putting the ball in the hoop.
Wilson likely wasn’t fully taking aim at Reese, but her answer definitely opened some fans’ eyes. Reese has been criticized all season for inflating her rebounding stats, with many realizing that she gets a ton from missing close-range shots and grabbing her own offensive boards.
Although Reese takes pride in her rebounding prowess, it sounds like Wilson is way more focused on being an offensive juggernaut and being efficient in the paint offensively.
