The 2026 WNBA All-Star game is in the books, as Team Spoon won 129-122 over Team Coop on Saturday night in Chicago. Former South Carolina Gamecocks star A'ja Wilson didn't play much in the game, registering only 14 minutes. Still, she finished with 12 points, three rebounds and a block.
Before the game at the United Center in Chicago, Wilson was asked about her relationship with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. In her answer, she gave a hilarious response.
"My only relationship with Cathy is when she hands me awards," Wilson said. "Which is great, I love to see her."
A’ja Wilson on WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert:
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 26, 2026
“My only relationship with Cathy is when she hands me awards.”
(via @FOS) pic.twitter.com/mJyTJ0naVI
Engelbert has handed Wilson plenty of awards. She is a three-time WNBA Champion, a four-time MVP and a two-time finals MVP winner. The commissioner has come under fire in recent months for a variety of different issues, including officiating, the handling of Caitlin Clark's presence in the league and negotiating two CBAs.
Last year, Minnesota Lynx star Naphessa Collier claimed that the WNBA has some of the worst leadership in the world, adding that the commissioner is "negligent." Most recently, Engelbert came under fire for previously agreeing to sit down with NBC Sports' Dan Patrick with an interview, before bailing last minute and claiming she could not participate.
Although she has served as the commissioner since 2019, she has been quiet about her future with the league beyond 2027. Wilson is one of the WNBA's biggest stars, and her statements on Engelbert were clearly not meant out of spite for the commissioner. But her honest assessment of her relationship with Engelbert gives the league even more reason to have a change at leadership in the coming years. The league could potentially look hire someone who has more of a personal relationship with the players.
Coming out of the All-Star weekend, next up for Wilson and the Aces is a home game against the Portland Fire on July 28. Las Vegas is 18-8 on the season, and is looking to make a deep playoff run as the back half of the season heats up.
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