A’ja Wilson just did what no other WNBA player has ever done. The Las Vegas Aces superstar put on a show for the ages, dropping 45 points in a single game and breaking records that have stood for years.
The 29-year-old from Columbia, South Carolina, led her team to a 101-94 victory over the Connecticut Sun on the evening of May 15 at Mohegan Sun Arena. She didn’t just score a lot—she did it with stunning accuracy. Wilson made all 13 of her free throw attempts and shot an incredible 80 percent from the field. No other player in WNBA history has ever scored 45 or more points while shooting that well.
A Record-Shattering Night That Cemented Her WNBA Legacy
This performance wasn’t just a great game. It was history in the making. Wilson now holds the WNBA record for the most 40-point games in a career with five total.
Sports critics and fans alike praised the champion for her efficiency. She was nearly unstoppable in the first half alone, scoring 19 points. During that opening half, she made six of her seven field goal attempts, including all five shots she took in the first quarter. The Connecticut Sun simply had no answer for her. Every time they tried a different defender or a new strategy, Wilson found a way to score. Her ability to mix power moves in the paint with smooth mid-range jumpers made her impossible to guard.
From the MET Gala to a Supermax Deal: A’ja Wilson’s Amazing Year
Wilson is having the kind of year most athletes only dream about, and we are only five months in. Earlier this month, she attended her first MET Gala looking stunning in a gold Prabal Gurung dress.
But the glamour doesn’t stop there. She is also gracing the cover of the latest issue of Vanity Fair, proving that her influence reaches far beyond the basketball court. Just last month, she signed a $5 million Supermax deal with the Las Vegas Aces. That is the biggest contract in WNBA history. Sis is getting her well-deserved coins, as the fans like to say. And off the court, she is dating Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo. You could almost hear the Love & Basketball soundtrack playing in the background.
Giving Back While Breaking Records and Inspiring Youth
Despite all the fame and success, Wilson hasn’t forgotten where she came from. She continues to give back to young people through important mentoring programs.
One of her key efforts is the Disney Dreamers Academy, where she helps mentor and inspire the next generation. Wilson is booked, busy, and blessed, as her fans often say. But she always makes time to lift others up. That combination of elite skill and genuine kindness is what makes her so special to fans across the league. She is not just a great player; she is a great role model.
The Gamecock Bond With Coach Dawn Staley That Started It All
Long before the WNBA records, Wilson was a star at the University of South Carolina. There, she formed a legendary bond with her then-coach, Dawn Staley.
During her college years, the 6’4″ center and power forward set impressive records. She led the Gamecocks to their first-ever NCAA National Championship in 2017. She also left as the program’s most decorated player and all-time leading scorer. Staley and Wilson remain incredibly close to this day. They are always seen supporting each other’s careers, whether it is Staley cheering from the stands or Wilson shouting out her former coach in interviews. That bond helped shape Wilson into the superstar she is today.
A New Rivalry With Angel Reese and the Growing WNBA Excitement
Another WNBA game-changer getting major shine right now is Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream. The two faced off in an epic game just two days after Wilson’s record night.
On May 17 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Wilson and Reese battled in what fans dubbed a “Battle of the Bigs.” Wilson helped the Aces take home the win in a tight 85-84 game. But the real story is the interest and excitement continuing to grow in women’s basketball. It is refreshing to witness the WNBA getting the spotlight it has always deserved. From stylish tunnel looks to lucrative endorsement deals, these dedicated athletes are finally getting everything coming their way. We look forward to seeing A’ja Wilson break even more records this season as we celebrate the history she is making right now.
