“A’ja Wilson is your WNBA Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved,” Dawn Staley declared earlier this year. Through the Las Vegas Aces star’s on-court records and off-court milestones, including the NBA 2k cover, the Gamecocks coach has been one proud mama. She made that known again in an interview with the 2k media. 

A day after A’ja Wilson broke the league record for most scores recorded in a single season, the NBA 2k social media handle shared a video of Staley talking about her pupil. “Actually a camper in our camps to coaching her in college, to watching her dominate and becoming the best player in the world. For her to be on the cover of NBA 2k means, she has made her mama proud, she has made her grandma proud, she has made all of South Carolina proud,” said Staley.

The 28-year-old star graduated from South Carolina in 2018 after a standout four years under Dawn Staley, who still remains a mentor to her. Being one of the earlier ones to give the Aces star her flowers when she recorded 956 for a new high in the WNBA, Staley knows the impact Wilson has had on the league.

“Most of all, she is driving a movement in women’s basketball like no other,” she says of the 2024 Olympics MVP; who had Tom Brady saying, “There are so many incredible players in the WNBA right now. But there’s only one A’ja Wilson,” Bam Adebayo “U’nanimous [MVP],” and Sheryl Swoopes, “THE BEST player in the world,” among others. 

Wilson has led the Aces two times to the WNBA title and is on a mission to accomplish three-peat. She is on the way to becoming the 4th WNBA player to have the most MVP. However, what adds a cherry to Staley comment is Wilson making to the cover of the NBA 2k.

A’ja Wilson shines on NBA 2K25 Cover

In what was a groundbreaking move in July, NBA and WNBA players were announced to share the cover of NBA 2K for the first time. Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson were selected as the cover athletes for the NBA 2K25 All-Star Edition. Wilson, who was the first WNBA player featured on a global edition of 2K, also made her mark on the cover of the WNBA edition of the game as a trailblazer.

“Being featured on the NBA 2K25 cover is a big moment for me and a testament to the ever-growing fandom of the WNBA. Seeing more and more WNBA athletes scanned into NBA 2K25 to best capture the style and confidence of the league has been empowering, and I can’t wait for fans to experience it in-game,” said the 2x MVP after the milestone.

Wilson leads the league in scoring (27.3 points) and blocks (2.7) and is only second to Angel Reese in rebounds (11.9). Alongside the massive numbers on court and the honoring feature, the Aces star also has her signature shoe line, Nike A’ONE, lined up, with a signature logo as well. There is indeed no shortage of legacy for A’ja Wilson.