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By Megan Armstrong
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Las Vegas Aces center and reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson is the face of the league, but she's also the voice of the league — producing mic-drop quotes and double-doubles at the same insanely high rate.
Wilson was named an All-Star for the eighth time. Prior to starting the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago on Saturday, July 25, Wilson appeared on ESPN and disclosed her primary motivation at this point in her all-time great basketball career.
"My haters!" Wilson said with a laugh. "My haters. I really do love proving people wrong. I love showing up as my true self and just making random people mad. I think that's really what I kind of love doing."
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"Now, does it come with rings, banners, and trophies? Of course, that's cute," Wilson continued. "But it's nothing like showing up as your true self and loving in that. Loving in that space, being in that space, is always fun. But then the next generation is also a key [motivator]."
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During her pregame presser, Wilson also made headlines when describing her relationship with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, saying, "My only relationship with Cathy is when she hands me awards, which is great. I love to see her in that light."
GOAT.
The Aces selected Wilson out of South Carolina with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Since then, she's become a four-time WNBA MVP — the only player to win four league MVP awards — eight-time All-Star, six-time All-WNBA selection, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, two-time scoring champion, and three-time WNBA champion.
Last season, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year, WNBA MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, and a WNBA title in a single season, per ESPN. In the Wilson era, the Aces have won three of the past championships.
Last month, Wilson became the fastest player to reach 6,000 career points in WNBA history. So far this season, she's averaging 26.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.6 steals across 24 games. She leads the WNBA in scoring and blocks.
The Aces are 18-8 — third in the league standings — and will resume their title defense against the Portland Fire on Tuesday, July 28.
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