South Carolina basketball fans who follow the WNBA have the privilege of watching some of the very best players in the league compete at the professional level. There is not a better player in the W (or in the world, for that matter) than former Gamecock A'ja Wilson, a player who seems all but destined to become the best women's basketball star the world has ever seen.
The 2024 campaign has been the best of Wilson's career, and a third WNBA MVP award will find its way to her mantle at season's end.
On Wednesday, in a tight game against the Dallas Wings, Wilson was the only reason her Las Vegas Aces squad was in the game as she went off for 42 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. She made a remarkable 16-22 from the field and turned the ball over just once despite her heavy usage. Ultimately, the Aces' wing defense and bench minutes doomed the team's chances to win as they fell by a final score of 93-90.
The 40-bomb from Wilson was the 3rd of her career, meaning she is the 4th player in WNBA history to have that many 40-point scoring outbursts. She joins active players Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart and all-time great Maya Moore in achieving the statistical feat. Wilson's 72.7% shooting efficiency is the 3rd-best shooting percentage in any WNBA 40-point game, trailing just Liz Cambage's 2018 game (77.3%) and teammate Kelsey Plum's explosion last season (77.8%).
Wilson and the Aces have dipped a bit in the win-loss columb this season as they have dealt with injuries and non-Wilson defensive struggles. Still, Vegas is firmly in the WNBA postseason as things stand today, and there is no team in the league that views the Aces as a typical 5-seed. When the regular season ends, the Aces will be pursuing a three-peat, going for a third WNBA Finals title in a row.