A’ja Wilson’s last year’s championship win was bittersweet. While she had clinched the trophy in 2023, Wilson was denied the MVP award. Something she regretted even during the victory parade. Although this year the 27-year-old looks in no mood to spare it. She has been performing exceptionally well and helping her team win matches. On Monday, celebrated journalist Stephen A. Smith in acknowledgement of Wilson’s dominant display handed her the Player of the Week award and was all praises for her.

Smith was present in his own namesake show when he reflected on Wilson’s on-court brilliance. The sports analyst didn’t hold himself back from applauding Wilson and presenting her with a special award. “Did you see her last night against Angel Reese? In the Sky, she dropped 31 points 10 of 19 shooting 19… 90… was it 95-83 win? It was the 18th 30-point game of Wilson’s career in the 12th this season with at least 25 points. A’ja’s leading the WNBA and both scoring and rebounding,” Smith mentioned, via his YouTube channel.

He also took the liberty of negating any competition from the Minnesota Lynx, the New York Liberty, and the Connecticut Sun. These are top contenders for the WNBA titles apart from the Aces. Meanwhile, Wilson had scored 31 points with 6 rebounds against the Chicago Sky, helping them win the game on Thursday by a 95-83 margin.

Wilson at present averages 26.9 points per game with 11.1 rebounds per game. She is also at the top spot in both scoring and rebounding this season. Therefore, she is the chief contender for the MVP award this season. Except for the game against the Washington Mystics on Saturday, Wilson has added more than 20 points in all her games. This also makes her a crowd favorite.

“I’m telling you right now, A’ja Wilson ain’t no joke. You have to deal with her,” Smith closed his remarks on Wilson. He also warned teams to take Wilson seriously and plan their strategies when they have to face the Aces leader in a best-of-3 or 5 series. Meanwhile, despite the battle against Angel Reese, the two looked to be quite friendly with each other.

A’ja Wilson and Angel Reese are friends

Wilson and Reese were photographed together many times during the game. The two looked to have cordial relations despite the contest between them. The snaps from the game were shared by the official WNBA channel where Wilson and Reese were seen giving a high five. Reese had during her NCAA career revealed that Wilson was her inspiration behind wearing a one-legged sleeve.

Co-incidentally, the two were donning the sleeve in their current clash on Thursday. Hence, Wilson has always been a sort of an idol for Reese. This also led to many fans believing that they needed more such stories from the WNBA.

If Wilson continues her on-song performances, she will be a prime contender for the MVP award this season. And reporters like Smith will continue to sing her praises like he has been doing right now.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.