A’ja Wilson has officially entered mythical territory. TIME Magazine has named the Las Vegas Aces superstar its 2024 Athlete of the Year, and the cover image says everything you need to know about the dominance she displayed throughout her unforgettable season.
On the cover, Wilson poses with the Infinity Gauntlet—the iconic glove worn by Marvel villain Thanos—fitted over her left hand. But instead of universal powers, each of the six Infinity Stones represents one of the nearly impossible accomplishments Wilson collected this year. Written under each stone are the achievements that define what may be the greatest individual season in basketball history:
- Scoring Title (2nd of her career)
- 5K Milestone – becoming the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 5,000 points
- Defensive Player of the Year (3rd time)
- Most Valuable Player (Record 4th MVP)
- Finals MVP (2nd time)
- WNBA Champion (3rd title)
Wilson isn’t just rewriting the record books—she’s creating new ones. She’s now the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship and be named Finals MVP, League MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. That unprecedented sweep puts her in a category not even Michael Jordan or LeBron James ever reached.
She is also just the fourth player in NBA or WNBA history to claim four MVP awards before turning 30, joining a legendary trio:
Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and LeBron James.
Her father, Roscoe Wilson, joked to TIME about her expanding trophy shelf:
“I’m waiting on them to call for the Academy Award and the Emmy.”
The Star Who Didn’t Want Basketball
Despite becoming one of basketball’s most iconic figures, Wilson’s story began far from the hardwood. Growing up outside Columbia, South Carolina, her attitude toward the sport was simple: “Anything but basketball.” But once she embraced it, her rise became inevitable, powered by unmatched work ethic, rare versatility, and an unshakeable competitive instinct.
TIME’s feature highlights the evolution of Wilson’s game, her growing cultural impact, and the way she has redefined what dominance looks like in the WNBA. From anchoring Las Vegas’ dynasty to shattering individual records, Wilson represents both the present and the future of women’s basketball.
A Season Unlike Any Other
Wilson’s 2024 campaign may go down as the greatest individual season ever played in the WNBA. Her ability to take over games on both ends of the court—scoring at will, locking up opponents, and shining brightest when the stakes were highest—made her virtually unstoppable.
Her image with the golden Thanos gauntlet is more than a creative photoshoot—it’s the perfect metaphor for a player who collected basketball’s most powerful accolades like Infinity Stones, each one proof of her expanding mastery over the sport.
A Legend Still Building
At 28, with multiple championships, multiple MVPs, and multiple DPOY trophies, A’ja Wilson has already cemented her place among the greatest to ever play the game. Yet she’s still hungry, still evolving, and still climbing.
If this season proved anything, it’s that the universe of basketball might belong to her for years to come.
