A’ja Wilson wins her third straight WNBA MVP and record fifth overall

What the report says

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson has been named the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for a third consecutive season and for the fifth time overall, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on The Associated Press. The award was announced on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2026, and makes Wilson the first player in league history to win MVP three years in a row. Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was among those who congratulated her, sending a voice message praising Wilson’s impact on the league.

Wilson, 30, was presented with the trophy by her mother, Eva, alongside WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, Aces owner Mark Davis and team president Nikki Fargas. In comments reported by AP, Wilson said the recognition felt especially meaningful because of the work and expectations that have followed her since entering the league as the No. 1 draft pick in 2018.

On the court, Wilson led the WNBA in scoring with 26.2 points per game, while also averaging 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks. The award panel gave her 65 first-place votes and 713 points. Minnesota’s Olivia Miles finished second in the voting, followed by Indiana guards Kelsey Mitchell and Caitlin Clark.

The honor comes as Las Vegas continues its playoff run in the WNBA semifinals. The defending champion Aces were trailing Golden State 2-0 in the best-of-five series heading into Game 3. More broadly, Wilson’s fifth MVP places her among the most decorated players in league history, a distinction that underscores her long-term dominance and the continued prominence of the Aces.