A’ja Wilson Named Time’s 2025 Athlete Of The Year After Historic, Unmatched Season
Written by b87fm on 12/09/2025
A’ja Wilson is officially in a league of her own.
The WNBA superstar has been crowned Time Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, capping what she calls the most dominant stretch of her career — and arguably the greatest single season the league has ever seen.
Photograph by Kanya Iwana for TIME
Speaking with Time, Wilson didn’t shy away from defining the moment.
“When you’ve collected everything, that’s Thanos. And this year, I collected everything,” she said. “I don’t really talk much sh-t. I kind of let my game do it… because no one’s ever done what I’ve done.”
Her comments came after sportswriter Mark Gunnels claimed she had “finally hit a wall.” Wilson laughed off the suggestion.
“That’s when I was like, ‘Oh, people are really playing on my name,’” she said. “But my regression leads to a championship.”
Kanya Iwana for TIME
Wilson also leaned into the growing conversation around her status as the WNBA’s GOAT.
“I’ve been the GOAT since 1996 in my house,” she joked. “I think I’m on my way there. I’m making it real hard for people to chase after me.”
The 2025 season backed her up. Wilson powered the Las Vegas Aces to their third WNBA title, claimed her second Finals MVP, and became the first player in league history to sweep the WNBA scoring title, championship, Finals MVP, and regular-season MVP in the same year. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and secured spots on both the All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team.
For Wilson, this was the year the accolades finally aligned with the legend she’s been building.
“She’s exactly who she thinks she is.”
