{"id":346360,"date":"2025-12-13T12:41:27","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/346360\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T12:41:27","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:41:27","slug":"aces-superstar-aja-wilson-named-times-2025-athlete-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/346360\/","title":{"rendered":"Aces superstar A’ja Wilson named TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson<\/a> is TIME’s Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is.<\/p>\n

The 6-foot-4 South Carolina native earned her second WNBA scoring title, third Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award<\/a> and fourth MVP<\/a> (the first in league history to accomplish the feat) weeks before winning her third championship. The now two-time Finals MVP<\/a> and the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury<\/a> in the WNBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Wilson is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP and DPOY award in the same season. She\u2019s also one of four players in the WNBA or NBA to win four MVP trophies before the age of 30. Fittingly, Wilson wore a Thanos-inspired glove<\/a> to Las Vegas’ championship parade earlier this year to celebrate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019ve collected everything, that\u2019s Thanos,\u201d Wilson told TIME<\/a>. \u201cAnd this year, I collected everything. I don\u2019t really talk much s—, I mean crap. I kind of let my game do it. This was my biggest moment of doing it, because no one\u2019s ever done what I\u2019ve done. And I think people really needed to understand that.\u201d<\/p>\n

1 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces’ Jewell Loyd (24) and A’ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces’ Jewell Loyd (24) and A’ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

2 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

3 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

4 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

6 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

7 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

8 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

9 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

10 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

11 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

12 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: A’ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

13 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

14 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

15 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

16 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

17 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

18 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

19 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

20 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

21 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

22 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

23 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

24 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

25 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

26 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

27 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

28 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

29 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

30 \/ 30<\/p>\n

The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals<\/p>\n

Game 1: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.<\/p>\n

Wilson was part of several TIME honorees for 2025, including KPop Demon Hunters as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year, YouTube\u2019s Neal Mohan as the CEO of the Year and Leonardo DiCaprio as the Entertainer of the Year.<\/p>\n

Her ascension to the greatest year in her career did not come without some struggles<\/a>. At the midway point of the WNBA season, the Aces were sitting at .500 and were on the receiving end of a 50-plus blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Then, a switch flipped. Las Vegas rattled off 16 straight wins to get to the postseason, and endured back-to-back playoff series that required the team to play every game possible (three against the Seattle Storm<\/a> and five against the Indiana Fever) before getting to the Finals.\u201cSometimes you\u2019ve just got to get knocked down to get built back up,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cI think 2025 was a wake-up call that I needed, to let me know that I can\u2019t be satisfied with anything. There\u2019s somebody out there that\u2019s going to try to take your job. You need to make sure you\u2019re great at it, every single day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wilson further cemented her legacy and perhaps her TIME Athlete of the Year award when she hit a game-winning shot<\/a> against the Mercury during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The shot, released with a fitting 2.2 seconds left on the clock (a subtle ode to her No. 22 jersey), cemented the series for the Aces and catapulted Wilson into the conversations for the WNBA’s greatest player of all time. Still, the WNBA star wouldn’t quite put herself in that category just yet. That said, she believes that she’s making it hard for people to chase after her.<\/p>\n

“When you think about a lot of GOATs, they have those career-defining shots that solidify you as the best\u2026”, she said. “I didn\u2019t really have one of those. I had championships, yeah. But it was never really like a moment of like, ‘Whoooooooo. That\u2019s why she is who she is. She\u2019s exactly who she thinks she is.’\u201d<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson named TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is TIME’s Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is. The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":346361,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[56820,95131,2839,2114,4677,1077,5551,4676,99,434,38265],"class_list":["post-346360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-defensive-player-of-the-year","tag-finals-mvp","tag-indiana-fever","tag-las-vegas","tag-las-vegas-aces","tag-minnesota-lynx","tag-phoenix-mercury","tag-seattle-storm","tag-sports","tag-wnba","tag-wnba-finals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=346360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/346360\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/346361"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=346360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=346360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=346360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}