Las Vegas Aces standout A’ja Wilson secured two prestigious accolades at the 2026 ESPYs, further cementing her status as one of the leading figures in women’s sports. On Mercredi night, Wilson was honored with both the Best WNBA Player award and the Best Athlete in Sports féminins title, triumphing over formidable contenders including Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray, Hilary Knight, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Nelly Korda.
This achievement marks the second occasion on which Wilson has swept these particular honors, having previously claimed both in 2024. Despite her absence from the ceremony held at New York’s Lincoln Center, her awards were accepted by US rugby star Ilona Maher and NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns, who represented her on stage.
Beyond the ESPYs 2026: Inside Las Vegas Aces Star A’ja Wilson’s Milestone Season
Wilson’s dual victory at the ESPYs follows a historic 2025 campaign. During that season, she dominated the WNBA by capturing four major honors: Most Valuable Player, scoring champion, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP. This feat was unprecedented in both WNBA and NBA history, as no player had ever achieved all four distinctions in one season.
Her ESPYs success adds to an already remarkable summer. In June, Wilson was named Sportswoman of the Year at the BET Awards, demonstrating her influence beyond basketball. Additionally, she became the newest Wheaties box champion that same month, a nod to her growing cultural impact.
Earlier in the year, Nike launched Wilson’s second signature sneaker, the A’Two, in May, strengthening her profile as an athlete and brand ambassador.