A winner at every level, a leader on and off the court, this is how the legend of Sue Bird is written in women’s basketball. Talking about her run at the Olympics, in her career of over 2 decades, Bird was part of the Summer Games 5 times since her first one in 2004 and won a gold medal in each outing. However, she is feeling puzzled over A’ja Wilson winning the Olympics MVP title, something that was introduced at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens but has only been given twice until now.

What seems to be the matter is that Bird was not aware of this award, which she expressed on her recently revived podcast, A Touch More, alongside her partner Megan Rapinoe. “Honestly, I didn’t know there was an Olympic MVP. This is something new, it’s new. I think FIBA is just doing it, I think it’s new, and I don’t know if I love it to be honest,” Sue Bird revealed on the podcast, maybe feeling displeased due to not receiving one herself despite recording 152 points, 124 assists, 72 rebounds, and 33 steals in her Olympics career.

On the other hand, Bird didn’t shy away from acknowledging A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart’s displays in Paris and described, “A’ja’s turnaround from the first half was coming back, drawing fouls. You gotta find other ways. She found another way, big blocks, and she got to the free throw line. Stewie blocked the 3-point attempt to tie the game.”

Further, she said, “Those two were so great all tournament cause they’re just great players you know. No matter, even when they have a bad game, it will be still better than everybody else,” attributing Wilson and Stewart for putting out stellar performances every time. As for Wilson, she added another accolade to her already illustrious career.

A’ja Wilson was crowned the 2024 Olympics MVP

Yet again, A’ja Wilson established why she is arguably the best player on the planet. She averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 59.2% from the floor.

Her participation increased the performance efficiency valuation by 25.7. In the gold medal game, she put out a double-double with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and helped Team USA to a one-point win over France.

“It’s amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB and it has been incredible. And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medalist, I am so blessed,” said Wilson after the tight 67-66 win over France.

Not only this, Wilson was also named to the All-Star Five for the 2024 Summer Olympics women’s basketball alongside Breanna Stewart, Gabby Williams (France), Alanna Smith (Australia), and Emma Meesseman (Belgium). While she was clearly the best, Sue Bird found the MVP award strange.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger