Aayush Kapoor is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. A Boston Celtics fan, Aayush has been following the National Basketball Association for a long time now. The fast-paced action of the league intrigues him the most. Aayush closely scrutinizes the basketball analyses of NBA reporters like Stephen A. Smith, Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc Stein to enrich his comprehension of the sport. Apart from covering the NBA, he also likes to hit the basketball gym as much as he can for pick-up games.

MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces won their first-ever championship in 2022, sending shockwaves through the league. Now, they stand as the defending champions in the 2023 WNBA Finals, ready to face off against the New York Liberty in a highly anticipated match. In a recent interview, A?ja Wilson talks about their approach in the Final games of the championship. THE ACES HAVE A WINNING MENTALITY FOR THE UPCOMING FINALS 2020 WNBA MVP A?ja Wilson helped the Las Vegas Aces win their first-ever title in 2022. In the ongoing season, the Aces have advanced to the Finals after beating the Wings [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-basketball-news-two-x-wnba-mvp-aja-wilson-lands-a-public-self-roast-after-las-vegas-aces-clinch-a-berth-in-wnba-finals-again/?utm_source=share-btn]?in the semifinals and are about to play against the New York Liberty. With two of the strongest teams in the league about to face each other in the championship Finals, fans are eagerly waiting for the outcome. [https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Aja-2.jpg] In a recent interview, A?ja Wilson talked about the Aces’ mentality towards defending the title. Wilson talked about the team?s strategy for the upcoming Finals. She said, ?I guess we just gotta keep doing what we?ve been doing.? She further added, ?It has gotten us far, so you don?t want to fix something that?s not broken. We?re gonna keep pushing, having fun while doing it, and always just (keep) enjoying the moments.? This shows that the Aces remain unfazed ahead of the 2023 WNBA Finals. The Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty are set to play against each other in a highly anticipated best-of-five series. Read More – Can A?ja Wilson Create a LeBron James-Like Legacy in WNBA? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/wnba-ncaa-college-basketball-news-can-aja-wilson-create-a-lebron-james-like-legacy-in-wnba/] Interestingly, the Aces appear to be on a path to building a dynasty that resembles the one that we saw with the Golden State Warriors [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/golden-state-warriors/]. THE ACES ARE ON THE PATH TOWARD A DYNASTY With great internal team dynamics and shining stars like A?ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, the Aces boast a roster that’s not only skilled but also shares a deep chemistry, which is crucial for long-term success. Much like the GSW of the past, with players like Stephen Curry [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/stephen-curry/], Klay Thompson [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/klay-thompson/] and Draymond Green [https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/draymond-green/] among many others, this lineup was referred to as a ‘Death Lineup’ as they were known for their incredible offensive and defensive power, which led the Warriors to a record-breaking 73-9 regular season record. As the 2023 WNBA Finals approach, fans eagerly wait for the unfolding story of a team poised for greatness. In the championship Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and the New York Liberty, who are you rooting for? Tell us in the comments section! Watch This Story -?Despite Donning LeBron James Mentality, A?ja Wilson ?Hurts Like Hell? After Losing Historic MVP Status to Breanna Stewart [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/wnba-basketball-news-despite-donning-lebron-james-mentality-aja-wilson-hurt-like-hell-after-losing-historic-mvp-status-to-breanna-stewart/] 

2020 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson and her team advance to the championship Finals with a winning mentality as they prepare to face the New York Liberty.

“With good observation comes good insight.” That’s how I see life and the game
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EssentiallySports writer. This is where I bring a distinctive blend of academic
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A Chance at Warriors-Like Dynasty, Defending Champions A?ja Wilson and Aces
Remain Unfazed Ahead of 2023 WNBA Finals: ?You Don?t Want to Fix Something
That?s Not Broken?

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One of the greatest to ever grace the game, A'ja Riyadh Wilson, is a WNBA powerhouse. Born on August 8, 1996, she was the 1st overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Per various sources, Wilson has amassed a net worth of $3 million as of 2024.

[caption id="attachment_3118988" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]<img class="wp-image-3118988 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-2163897112-3000x2000-1.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2000" /> PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 27: A'ja Wilson of Team United States speaks during a Team USA Women's 5x5 Basketball press conference on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Main Press Centre on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)[/caption]

A key player in the WNBA and an influential figure in women's sports, the 6â€™4â€ Center has a significant impact both on and off the court. Her achievements in basketball, coupled with her advocacy for gender equality and social justice, have established her as a prominent and respected figure in the athletic community.
<h2>A'ja Wilson's early life</h2>
Born to Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. and Eva Rakes Wilson in Columbia, South Carolina, Aâ€™ja was a name inspired by the song â€˜Ajaâ€™ by Steely Dan. The WNBA player revealed this on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! On the other hand, her middle name is one many might be familiar with - the Saudi Arabian capital where her maternal aunt was deployed in Operation Desert Storm.

Her high school education took place at the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private institution in Southern Columbia. There, she led the Highlanders to a regional title and the 2014 SCISA Class 3A state crown, a state runner-up finish in 2013, and the 2012 state semifinals. The Aces Center was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid.
<h2>College life and achievements</h2>
Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With Wilson, the team reached their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017. The star player also swept the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award that year.

In 2018, she won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season.

She finished college as the all-time leading scorer for South Carolina and majored in broadcasting. A statue of her likeness was erected near the main entrance to Colonial Life Arena, unveiled on January 18, 2021, as part of the university's observance of Martin Luther King Day.
<h2>Career in the WNBA and for Team USA so far</h2>
After being drafted first overall in 2018, Wilson won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, a feat she repeated in 2023 while earning Finals MVP. Wilson also won the MVP of the 2022 FIBA Womenâ€™s World Cup in Sydney after winning her second World Cup title (first in 2018).Â 

On July 7, 2024, in a matchup against the Dallas Wings, she became the Aces' all-time leading scorer. She also won the gold medal in basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

[caption id="attachment_3126118" align="aligncenter" width="4070"]<img class="wp-image-3126118 size-full" src="https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-08-11T161936Z_899472679_UP1EK8B19CMOE_RTRMADP_3_OLYMPICS-2024-BASKETBALL.jpg" alt="A'Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart" width="4070" height="2876" /> Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Women's Victory Ceremony - Bercy Arena, Paris, France - August 11, 2024. Gold medallists A'Ja Wilson of United States and Breanna Stewart of United States celebrate on the podium. REUTERS/Brian Snyder[/caption]

Wilson has also dabbled in writing and is a New York Times best-selling author with her book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You released in February 2024.Â 
<h2>A'ja Wilson contract</h2>
A'ja Wilson signed a 4 year, $232,178 contract with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, including an average annual salary of $58,045. This was followed by a 2-year, $398,422 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $199,211.

Wilson then signed a 2-year, $400,000 contract extension in 2023, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $200,000. In 2024, Wilson will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000 and a dead cap value of $200,000.

Before this, Wilson had an overseas stint in China when in August 2018, she signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018â€“19 off-season. The details of this contract are unclear and itâ€™s uncertain how much Wilson earned.
<h2>A'ja Wilson Family</h2>
Wilson's mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, worked as a court stenographer for the Richland County School District 1 in Columbia, South Carolina. Wilson's father, Roscoe Wilson, Jr., played college basketball at Benedict College and professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. Wilson also has an older brother, Renaldo, who also played professional basketball overseas.
<h2>A'ja Wilson awards won in the WNBA</h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">2Ã— WNBA Champion (2022, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">6Ã— WNBA All-Star (2018â€“2020, 2022â€“2024)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Rookie of the Year (2018)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Most Valuable Player (2020, 2022)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2023)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">2Ã— Best WNBA Player ESPY Award (2023, 2024)</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Best Female Athlete ESPY Award (2024)</li>
</ul>
<h2>A'ja Wilson awards won in college</h2>
From the SEC Freshman of the Year and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015 to four-time winner of First-team All-SEC (2015â€“2018), Aâ€™ja Wilsonâ€™s college career was decorated with honors. Along with being a two-time winner of SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018) and three-time winner of the SEC Player of the Year from 2016â€“2018, Wilson also led her team to become the three-time Consensus first-team All-American from 2016â€“2018. She was also the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2017.

Near the end of her college career, Wilson won the Lisa Leslie Award, USBWA Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, John R. Wooden Award, and the Wade Trophy, all in 2018.
<h2>A'ja Wilson business partnerships and endorsements</h2>
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Wilson, along with her mother, founded the Burnt Wax Candle Company in 2021. The candles were priced at approximately $40 at that time and were named after her numerous accomplishments â€“ National Champion, All-Star, MVP, Olympic Gold 2020, etc.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">As per Forbes, Wilson had also invested in Masters, a fitness app, during its seed round. Thus, Aâ€™ja was both a trainer and an investor for the app. For the unversed, the app has workout routines by top athletes that can be accessed from the comfort of home.Â </li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">The Las Vegas Aces star has added a high-profile sponsorship to her portfolio. Gatorade has signed the 2x WNBA MVP to a multi-year endorsement deal.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">Wilson became the first female basketball player to join Mountain Dewâ€™s roster, which already includes several National Basketball Association players, such as Philadelphia 76ersâ€™ Joel Embiid and Oklahoma City Thunderâ€™s Russell Westbrook.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400">A'ja Wilson announced that she'll have her own signature shoe with Nike prior to the Las Vegas Aces' preseason game against the Puerto Rico national team on Saturday.</li>
</ul>
<h2>A'ja Wilsonâ€™s signature shoes</h2>
Wilson's signature show, the "A'One," will debut in 2025. She's the 13th WNBA player to ink a signature shoe deal. The Olympic gold-medal winner joins tennis greats Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, soccer standout Megan Rapinoe, and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu on Nikeâ€™s roster of signature athletes.
<h2>A'ja Wilson social media accounts:</h2>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/">https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/</a>

Twitter: <a href="https://x.com/_ajawilson22">https://x.com/_ajawilson22</a>

Website: <a href="https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/">https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/</a>

A'ja Wilson

One of the greatest to ever grace the game, A&#8217;ja Riyadh Wilson, is a WNBA powerhouse. Born on August 8, 1996, she was the 1st overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Per various sources, Wilson has amassed a net worth of $3 million as of 2024. PARIS, FRANCE &#8211; JULY 27: A&#8217;ja Wilson of Team United States speaks during a Team USA Women&#8217;s 5&#215;5 Basketball press conference on day one of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Main Press Centre on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) A key player in the WNBA and an influential figure in women&#8217;s sports, the 6â€™4â€ Center has a significant impact both on and off the court. Her achievements in basketball, coupled with her advocacy for gender equality and social justice, have established her as a prominent and respected figure in the athletic community. A&#8217;ja Wilson&#8217;s early life Born to Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. and Eva Rakes Wilson in Columbia, South Carolina, Aâ€™ja was a name inspired by the song â€˜Ajaâ€™ by Steely Dan. The WNBA player revealed this on NPR&#8217;s Wait Wait&#8230; Don&#8217;t Tell Me! On the other hand, her middle name is one many might be familiar with &#8211; the Saudi Arabian capital where her maternal aunt was deployed in Operation Desert Storm. Her high school education took place at the Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private institution in Southern Columbia. There, she led the Highlanders to a regional title and the 2014 SCISA Class 3A state crown, a state runner-up finish in 2013, and the 2012 state semifinals. The Aces Center was diagnosed with dyslexia as a kid. College life and achievements Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in college and competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With Wilson, the team reached their first NCAA Women&#8217;s Basketball Championship in 2017. The star player also swept the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award that year. In 2018, she won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women&#8217;s basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. She finished college as the all-time leading scorer for South Carolina and majored in broadcasting. A statue of her likeness was erected near the main entrance to Colonial Life Arena, unveiled on January 18, 2021, as part of the university&#8217;s observance of Martin Luther King Day. Career in the WNBA and for Team USA so far After being drafted first overall in 2018, Wilson won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, a feat she repeated in 2023 while earning Finals MVP. Wilson also won the MVP of the 2022 FIBA Womenâ€™s World Cup in Sydney after winning her second World Cup title (first in 2018).Â  On July 7, 2024, in a matchup against the Dallas Wings, she became the Aces&#8217; all-time leading scorer. She also won the gold medal in basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Paris 2024 Olympics &#8211; Basketball &#8211; Women&#8217;s Victory Ceremony &#8211; Bercy Arena, Paris, France &#8211; August 11, 2024. Gold medallists A&#8217;Ja Wilson of United States and Breanna Stewart of United States celebrate on the podium. REUTERS/Brian Snyder Wilson has also dabbled in writing and is a New York Times best-selling author with her book Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You released in February 2024.Â  A&#8217;ja Wilson contract A&#8217;ja Wilson signed a 4 year, $232,178 contract with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, including an average annual salary of $58,045. This was followed by a 2-year, $398,422 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $199,211. Wilson then signed a 2-year, $400,000 contract extension in 2023, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $200,000. In 2024, Wilson will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000 and a dead cap value of $200,000. Before this, Wilson had an overseas stint in China when in August 2018, she signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women&#8217;s Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018â€“19 off-season. The details of this contract are unclear and itâ€™s uncertain how much Wilson earned. A&#8217;ja Wilson Family Wilson&#8217;s mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, worked as a court stenographer for the Richland County School District 1 in Columbia, South Carolina. Wilson&#8217;s father, Roscoe Wilson, Jr., played college basketball at Benedict College and professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. Wilson also has an older brother, Renaldo, who also played professional basketball overseas. A&#8217;ja Wilson awards won in the WNBA 2Ã— WNBA Champion (2022, 2023) 6Ã— WNBA All-Star (2018â€“2020, 2022â€“2024) WNBA Rookie of the Year (2018) WNBA Most Valuable Player (2020, 2022) WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023) WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2023) 2Ã— Best WNBA Player ESPY Award (2023, 2024) Best Female Athlete ESPY Award (2024) A&#8217;ja Wilson awards won in college From the SEC Freshman of the Year and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015 to four-time winner of First-team All-SEC (2015â€“2018), Aâ€™ja Wilsonâ€™s college career was decorated with honors. Along with being a two-time winner of SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2018) and three-time winner of the SEC Player of the Year from 2016â€“2018, Wilson also led her team to become the three-time Consensus first-team All-American from 2016â€“2018. She was also the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2017. Near the end of her college career, Wilson won the Lisa Leslie Award, USBWA Player of the Year, AP Player of the Year, Naismith College Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, John R. Wooden Award, and the Wade Trophy, all in 2018. A&#8217;ja Wilson business partnerships and endorsements Wilson, along with her mother, founded the Burnt Wax Candle Company in 2021. The candles were priced at approximately $40 at that time and were named after her numerous accomplishments â€“ National Champion, All-Star, MVP, Olympic Gold 2020, etc. As per Forbes, Wilson had also invested in Masters, a fitness app, during its seed round. Thus, Aâ€™ja was both a trainer and an investor for the app. For the unversed, the app has workout routines by top athletes that can be accessed from the comfort of home.Â  The Las Vegas Aces star has added a high-profile sponsorship to her portfolio. Gatorade has signed the 2x WNBA MVP to a multi-year endorsement deal. Wilson became the first female basketball player to join Mountain Dewâ€™s roster, which already includes several National Basketball Association players, such as Philadelphia 76ersâ€™ Joel Embiid and Oklahoma City Thunderâ€™s Russell Westbrook. A&#8217;ja Wilson announced that she&#8217;ll have her own signature shoe with Nike prior to the Las Vegas Aces&#8217; preseason game against the Puerto Rico national team on Saturday. A&#8217;ja Wilsonâ€™s signature shoes Wilson&#8217;s signature show, the &#8220;A&#8217;One,&#8221; will debut in 2025. She&#8217;s the 13th WNBA player to ink a signature shoe deal. The Olympic gold-medal winner joins tennis greats Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, soccer standout Megan Rapinoe, and New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu on Nikeâ€™s roster of signature athletes. A&#8217;ja Wilson social media accounts: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/ Twitter: https://x.com/_ajawilson22 Website: https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/

A Chance at Warriors-Like Dynasty, Defending Champions A?ja Wilson and Aces Remain Unfazed Ahead of 2023 WNBA Finals: ?You Don?t Want to Fix Something That?s Not Broken?

The Aces have a winning mentality for the upcoming Finals

The Aces are on the path toward a dynasty