In a heartfelt and unexpected gesture, former WNBA icon and Australian Olympian Lauren Jackson has penned a deeply personal letter to WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, expressing how the two women have shaped the world of basketball—and more importantly, how their influence has touched the lives of her young sons.
Jackson, widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the sport, used the letter to spotlight not only the athletic dominance of Wilson and Stewart, but also the character, leadership, and humanity they consistently show outside the arena. For Jackson, their presence in the sport represents far more than wins, trophies, or MVP titles. It represents an example for young fans growing up in a global basketball landscape shaped by strong, confident, and morally grounded women.
A Message Rooted in Gratitude and Admiration
According to Jackson, her sons—both avid basketball fans—look up to Wilson and Stewart as role models. She described how they watch highlights of the two WNBA superstars, not just for their skill, but for how they conduct themselves in every setting:
how they celebrate teammates, how they address the media, how they treat fans, and how they carry heavy expectations with grace.
Jackson wrote that it means something profound for her children to see athletes who succeed without compromising authenticity or kindness. As a former professional athlete who once held that spotlight, Jackson emphasized that such leadership is invaluable for the next generation.
On-Court Greatness, Off-Court Legacy
In the letter, Jackson praised Wilson and Stewart for redefining excellence in the modern WNBA. She highlighted Wilson’s unmatched competitiveness and Stewart’s quiet but commanding leadership, noting that both players have set new global standards for what dominance looks like in the women’s game.
Off the court, Jackson applauded their advocacy—whether it’s fighting for equality, using their platforms to elevate women’s sports, or engaging in community efforts that move beyond photo ops. She said these qualities are what make them the type of people she wants her sons to admire.
A Legacy That Transcends the Game
Beyond the accolades, Jackson reflected on how the aura surrounding Wilson and Stewart has created space for women’s basketball to thrive internationally. She credited the two stars with helping push the sport into a new era of visibility and respect, an evolution that benefits not just girls dreaming of the WNBA, but boys who learn to value and appreciate greatness in women’s sports.
Jackson, a two-time WNBA champion and three-time MVP, acknowledged that she once carried the torch for women’s basketball on the global stage. Now, she sees Wilson and Stewart doing the same—while raising that bar even higher.
A Letter That Resonates Across Basketball
The sincerity of Jackson’s message underscores the impact Wilson and Stewart have far beyond stat sheets. For her sons, they’re heroes. For Jackson, they’re the embodiment of what she once hoped the future of the sport would look like. And for the global basketball community, her letter is a reminder that the WNBA’s brightest stars are shaping the values of the next generation.
Jackson’s tribute serves as a powerful testament to how representation, leadership, and integrity ripple outwards—affecting young lives even thousands of miles away. And in her words, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are doing far more than dominating the WNBA.
They are inspiring the world her sons will grow up in.
