Simone Biles is taking over the American sporting landscape. The gymnast who scaled historic heights in Paris with three gold medals is finding her name become a popular reference in the US sports scene. Last week, it was an NFL game involving her husband that led to a commentator making a cheeky reference and now it is the WNBA’s turn to bring up the GOAT.

Two-time WNBA MVP, A’ja Wilson led Las Vegas Aces to an 84-71 win against the Connecticut Sun, dropping 29 points and making history in the process. Her signature fadeaway jump once again earned her plaudits, and a former WNBA coach called for it to be associated with Wilson forever.

Wilson’s signature move to get Biles’ eponymous move-like status after making WNBA history?

The Michelob Ultra Arena erupted in cheers after Wilson reached the 1,000-point mark in the final minutes of the fourth quarter on Sunday. Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to surpass 1,000 points in a single season and also holds the highest single-season scoring record after last week when she passed Jewell Loyd’s record of 939 points against Caitlin Clark’s Fever.

Hailing Wilson for this achievement, Carolyn Peck, who was the head coach for WNBA franchise Orlando Miracle between 1999 and 2001 surfaced a peculiar demand. Peck, who’s currently a college and professional basketball analyst with ESPN, said, “Simone Biles has a gymnastics move named after her. This [her signature fadeaway jumper] has to be named the A’ja Wilson,” according to a tweet shared by USA Today’s Meghan L. Hall.

In gymnastics, a move can be named after a gymnast if they are the first to successfully perform it at a major international competition, such as the Worlds or the Olympics. Courtesy of which, Simone Biles has 5 namesake skills, across three apparatuses. One of the famous moves of the GOAT is The Biles II (vault), a Yurchenko-style vault with two flips in a pike position. She performed the move in Paris to win her third gold medal at the Games.

The fadeaway jumper is a signature shot where the player jumps away from the basket, leaning backward while shooting the ball toward the net, and it’s one of A’ja Wilson’s trademarks.

But does basketball have provisions for naming skills after players, like in gymnastics? Well, the fadeaway was also popularized by NBA legend Michael Jordan, and Michael Johnson was known for his no-look pass. Then there is George Garvin’s Finger Roll, a layup shot that earned him points and popularity and we also have “Iverson Crossover,” named after Allen Iverson’s quick, low dribble and change of direction signature move.

Talking about fadeaways, Dirk Nowitzki is synonymous with the one-legged fadeaway also called “The Dirk Fadeaway.” So there is precedent and we could see Carolyn Peck’s wish come true sometime in the future.

Meanwhile, the 11x Olympic medalist, Biles was all over the news during the Chicago Bears’ game against the Tennessee Titans on September 8. During the third quarter, Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, who joined the Bears this season recovered a blocked punt and ran it back for a touchdown which reduced the Titans’ lead to 17-10. However, during the broadcast an NFL commentator light-heartedly mentioned, “Mr. Biles getting in there.” Well, talk about being influential.

Her veteran rank and accomplishments in gymnastics have now become a reference point for others to cite. This is also not the first time, her name has done rounds in the WNBA circles. In fact, do you remember when A’ja Wilson herself acknowledged the GOAT’s legendary stature? Let us remind you.

Simone Biles left A’ja Wilson awestruck

As Simone Biles & Co. cruised to a golden victory in the team all-around event in Paris, the WNBA stars jumped on the bandwagon to praise them, like the rest of the world. For Simone, this was her 8th Olympic medal, and while she and the rest of her team strived to achieve it, A’ja had the opportunity to witness the spectacle from meters away. And naturally, the sight, the experience, and the win left her in raptures. “Watching that live was insane! the @USAGym girlies are goated & golden ! 🥇😮‍💨🤍,” she tweeted on X.

Soon, the 28-year-old star was captured singing praises for Biles yet again. While speaking to the reporters courtside at the Paris Olympics, the USA star shed light on how she met Jordan Chiles earlier in 2024 and the two hit off as friends right from the start. As she commented on her performance, she spoke highly of the GOAT, Simone Biles. Wilson remarked, “And then obviously, when you’re talking about the goat of all goats in my eyes is Simone and seeing what she has done, was incredible to see.”

And now a Simone-style demand for Wilson crops up. What do you think about it? Let us know below.