A’ja Wilson Named TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year

TIME magazine has named A’ja Wilson, superstar forward of the Las Vegas Aces, as the 2025 Athlete of the Year—a recognition that crowns one of the most remarkable individual seasons in the history of professional basketball. Wilson’s excellence on court, combined with her powerful cultural presence and leadership in women’s sports, made 2025 a defining year in her career. Her journey reflects not just athletic prowess, but resilience, influence, and the evolution of the WNBA at a moment of rising global visibility.

A Historic Season: “Collecting Everything”

Wilson’s 2025 season is widely considered one of the greatest in basketball history—men’s or women’s. She led the Las Vegas Aces to their third WNBA championship in four years, while also securing an array of extraordinary individual honors. On her parade outfit, she wore a gold Thanos gauntlet with each Infinity Stone labeled with an achievement—an iconic symbol of her dominance.

Her record-breaking accolades include,

• WNBA MVP (4th time)
• Defensive Player of the Year (3rd time)
• Finals MVP (2nd time)
• Scoring title
• Fastest player to reach 5,000 career points
• 2025 WNBA Champion

Wilson made history as the first player in NBA or WNBA history to win a championship and simultaneously claim the scoring title, league MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

Background: Early Life and Rise to Stardom

A’ja Wilson’s journey began in South Carolina, where she grew up in a family that valued discipline, faith, and education. Despite being introverted and facing challenges such as dyslexia, she found confidence through basketball. Guided by her father, Roscoe Wilson, she transformed from a hesitant beginner to the No. 1 high school recruit in the United States.

At the University of South Carolina, under coach Dawn Staley, Wilson matured into a champion. She led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national title (2017), becoming a household name in women’s college basketball

Leadership and the 2025 Las Vegas Aces Run

The Aces faced a difficult start in 2025, even losing a game by 53 points, prompting Wilson to call out her team and demand accountability. Her decisive leadership — combined with strategic coaching from Becky Hammon — rebuilt team chemistry and performance.

Wilson introduced,

• Player-created scouting reports
• Accountability checklists
• Team activity bonding
• Honest, direct communication

Why TIME Chose A’ja Wilson

TIME selected A’ja Wilson as Athlete of the Year 2025 because,

• She achieved one of the greatest seasons in basketball history.
• She carried her team through adversity with unmatched leadership.
• She became a cultural symbol at a pivotal moment for women’s sports.
• She elevated conversations around representation, equity, and inclusion.
• She continues shaping the future of the WNBA and inspiring millions.

In many ways, Wilson now stands with legends like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, and Muhammad Ali — athletes whose impact reaches far beyond winning games.

Key Takeaways

• TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year: A’ja Wilson becomes the face of women’s sports globally.
• Historic 2025 Season: First basketball player ever to win Championship + MVP + Finals MVP + DPOY + Scoring Title in the same year.
• Leadership Role: Instrumental in guiding the Las Vegas Aces to their third title in four years.
• Cultural Impact: Signature Nike A’One shoe, bestselling memoir, strong advocacy for representation.
• Background: Overcame learning disability (dyslexia); played under Dawn Staley; won NCAA 2017 title.