Chiles: The diversity in our sport has obviously changed a lot. Knowing there weren’t a lot of women of color when I was younger, and knowing that I can help that—and I’ve been helping that—is really cool. That all-Black podium was just the beginning of something that will hopefully continue, not just within our sport, but within sports in general. It’s always going to be in history books, no matter what, and I really appreciate knowing that I was a part of that. Having two icons, two legends that you looked up to ever since you were younger, and you’re on that podium with them, it just makes it more memorable.

A’ja, what would it take for there to be true equity between WNBA and NBA?

Wilson: A lot. We would have to switch body parts. I’ve seen a lot of comments like, Oh, your sport doesn’t matter. And I’m like, but you’re a basketball fan. That doesn’t make sense to me. For us to get a little equity in that sense, realistically, it will take a shift of the world. It will take a shift of society to understand that we are all, both leagues, great at what we do. 

We can’t worry about constantly having to work to be equal. We’re gonna do it with what we have now and showcase why we are the greatest. Yeah, I would love for my bank account to look like an NBA player’s, but realistically, will it ever get there? I don’t know. But what I do know is what I got now and how I can continue just to spread that out to young girls, so then when they get up and want to play in the W, maybe the accounts will look the same. 

I heard a podcast. It was a former NBA player…

Wilson: Oh, the one-on-one thing?

Yes, Jeff Teague was saying on the Club 520 podcast that you would not be able to beat any man in the NBA one-on-one, since you told the Knicks’ Josh Hart on his show that you thought you could beat him. What do you think about that?

Wilson: I said it in a way, to a great friend of mine, Josh Hart, in a sense of just a competitor, and I don’t think Josh saw it in any disrespect. I could look anyone in the eye, and I’m like, Yeah, I’m gonna beat you, because that’s the competitor in me. I have random little guys in my DMs, like, Oh my God, you are delusional for thinking that. Am I? OK, I could be a little delulu, but I’m still gonna believe in me. 

Would you ever do a Battle of the Sexes-type Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs game?

Wilson: I don’t really care for too much of that, because it’s one of those situations where you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. If you win, they’re gonna have an excuse for it. If you lose, they’re gonna be like, Duh, you look dumb for doing that. But if we do a little two-on-two, I do got my partner.

Why did you decide not to participate in Unrivaled?

Wilson: I like to enjoy my offseason. That’s my time to really just decompress. Unrivaled seems great—my teammates are loving it. Obviously, the money in it is amazing. And it’s like, Dang, missing out. But wholeheartedly, not even trying to front, I just didn’t want to. I just want to protect my peace. Because once the season gets in, no one’s gonna think, Oh, you just got done playing Unrivaled, let’s take it easy.

Would you ever play for a different WNBA team?

Wilson: I don’t want to. That’s more of a front-office question, but Vegas will forever be my home. I was their first draft pick ever of the franchise, so they really brought me in. And the things that we’ve done—straight out the gate, we set the standard for the league to follow, and we put a lot of other franchises in the league on their heels. If I could retire an Ace, I would love to. I don’t see myself putting on any different jersey. 

Are we going to see you in L.A. for the 2028 Olympics?

Chiles: Why are you looking at me? She asked you!

Wilson: She asked both!

Chiles: Mine’s not a yes and mine’s not a no. 

Wilson: Mine is a better—you better. 

Chiles: Period. 

Wilson: She’s gonna be there too. See us in L.A.

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Styled by Jessie DuBois; hair by Myesha Jamerson; make-up by Regina Craig; production by Crawford & Co. Productions