Women's Health August 8, 2026 0 Comments

A’ja Wilson Drops a Career Game-Changer: The Rookie Trap She Swears She’ll Never Fall Into Again

Ever wonder what it truly takes to be not just a star, but a legend in the WNBA? At a towering 6’4”, A’ja Wilson isn’t just another player on the court—she’s rewriting the very playbook of excellence. From rookie to reigning MVP, with three championship rings gleaming on her fingers, A’ja’s journey is nothing short of magnetic. But here’s a curveball: despite the fame, the accolades, and the high-octane pressure, she’s just a regular girl who’s learned to balance crushing goals with catching some serious Z’s. How does one keep evolving in a game that’s always the same yet somehow constantly changing? Dive into the mind and moves of A’ja Wilson, a powerhouse who’s not just playing the game but defining what it means to be a champion today—and tomorrow. LEARN MORE

3 min read

When considering the greatest basketball players currently in the WNBA, there’s one iconic name that is on just about everyone’s list: A’ja Wilson. The 6’4” center from South Carolina is a core player in the league and a superstar whose legacy is still being written.

Looking back in time, A’ja says that her rookie self would be “pleased and proud” with the player she is today. Now in her ninth season on the Aces (and with three championship rings), A’ja’s career highlights have made her powerhouse in the league. As a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-WNBA 1st Team member, and four-time league MVP, A’ja isn’t slowing down any time soon—even as the league evolves.

“My goals pretty much stay the same,” she tells Women’s Health’s Amanda Lucci at WNBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. “The main goal is to be better than I was last year, so it gives me a chance to really strive for big things every single year.”

A’ja used to believe that the game itself changed over time. Now, her mindset is different. “I don’t think it changes. People just get a little bit more talented, but it’s still the same game that we’ve all been playing since we were children,” she says.

The pace might feel different. From childhood to college to the pros, the sport definitely grows more intense. But basketball, she says, is still always basketball. A’ja continues to believe in herself, grow stronger (“buffer,” she says), and stay focused on the game as time goes on.

On Being a’Legend

A’ja is known as the M’VP (Most Valuable Player) and G’OAT (Greatest of All Time), titles that surprise her considering she’s still in the prime of her career. “I’m always shook, because I never would’ve imagined me even being in that conversation,” she says. “So when people say that, it’s blessed. I don’t take it for granted. It is a little weird, but it’s a good weird.”

To A’ja, winning is what defines legacy. “The more you win, the more you are more of a legend,” she says. “You’ve got to win a lot to be a legend, in my eyes.”

Being a legend isn’t just pushing herself to the limit. It’s also knowing when to rest and recover, which is something A’ja wishes she knew as a rookie. Now, taking care of her body and getting enough shut-eye is at the top of her checklist.

“[I’m] prioritizing slowing down and running my race at my own pace,” she says. “Really just coming into myself.”

And A’ja loves taking naps. She considers herself “elite” and “top-tier” at going to sleep.

A'ja Wilson in WNBA All-Star uniform, dribbling a basketball during a game, with crowd in the background.

Courtesy of Panini America

A’ja’s WNBA All-Star trading card

A’Lasting Impact

Through her partnership with Panini America, A’ja now has exclusive trading cards that fans can collect. Not only do they serve as a memento, but they also reflect her impact for years to come. (They also show her at her best: “My pictures are normally cute,” she says with a laugh. “I take some crazy pictures on court, but it seems like Panini always picks the best ones.”)

“Trading cards are so cool because so many people have them,” A’ja says. “For someone to really get my card in a pack, I think it’s pretty cool. If I get an opportunity to sign one, I’m always for it.”

The opportunity to have unique, personalized cards, a token of her legacy (and in some cases, even a piece of her game-worn jersey), excites her. But in the future, A’ja hopes people will remember her as a good person, more than a player or a face on a collectible. “I hope that they understand that I was a real human being,” she says. “I love what I do, and I love the people that I do it with.”

And at the end of the day, A’ja says she’s “just a normal girl”—fame, records, awards, and all.

Nia Watson is an editorial intern at Women’s Health. She completed her Master of Fine Arts degree in Journalism at New York University. She has written about chronic reproductive health conditions like endometriosis and nutrition for Rewire News Group and The 19th News, as well as about the food and beverage industry in NYC for AmNewYork. She loves starting her morning with yoga and coffee; and when she’s not writing, she enjoys wandering around Central Park.