A’ja Wilson Named TIME’s 2025 Athlete of the Year
By NORAL PARHAM
In a year defined by broken records and shattered ceilings, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson has claimed yet another historic title: TIME Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year.
The announcement, made Dec. 9, cements Wilson’s status not only as the most dominant force in women’s basketball but as a transcendent cultural icon whose impact reaches far beyond the hardwood.
For Wilson, the accolade is the perfect capstone to a 2025 campaign that is arguably the greatest individual season in the history of professional basketball. The 29-year-old forward became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to sweep the league’s most prestigious honors in a single season: Regular Season MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, and a WNBA Championship.
“A’ja Wilson has reached a level of athletic dominance that transcends basketball,” TIME stated in its announcement. “The selection of Wilson is not merely recognition of an outstanding year; it is an affirmation of unparalleled statistical excellence coupled with a profound cultural impact.”
Unprecedented Dominance
Wilson’s 2025 résumé reads like a career retrospective packed into five months. She captured her record-breaking fourth WNBA MVP award, surpassing legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She anchored the Aces’ defense to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors and led the franchise to its third championship in four years, sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Finals.
Statistically, she was untouchable. Wilson led the league in scoring (23.4 ppg) and blocks (2.3 bpg) while pulling down 10.2 rebounds per game. When the Aces stumbled mid-season, it was Wilson who righted the ship, leading the team to a franchise-record 16 consecutive wins to close out the regular season.
“She forces the world to take notice without scandal or gimmicks, just excellence without trying to be perfect,” the TIME profile noted.
More Than a hooper
For Horsemen Sports Media and its readers, Wilson’s recognition resonates on a deeper frequency. As a Black woman in a league built by Black women, Wilson has unapologetically carried the torch for representation.
This year saw the release of her signature shoe, the Nike A’One, making her the first Black WNBA player in over a decade to receive such an honor. The shoe, designed with elements celebrating her Southern roots, was hailed as a commercial and cultural triumph. She also released her best-selling memoir, Dear Black Girls, earlier this year, using her platform to uplift and inspire the next generation.
NBA legend LeBron James, speaking to TIME, highlighted Wilson’s significance to his own family.
“I realized her greatest impact isn’t what I see, it’s what [my daughter] Zhuri sees,” James said. “A’ja Wilson is the definition of female Black excellence, and I am so grateful she is giving my daughter the kind of inspiration I got from Michael Jordan and Ken Griffey Jr.”
A Legacy Sealed
Wilson’s selection as Athlete of the Year places her in elite company, joining past winners like Simone Biles, LeBron James, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Yet, her path has been uniquely her own. From her days as a statue-worthy icon at the University of South Carolina to her reign in Las Vegas, she has navigated the pressures of stardom with grace, humor, and a relentless work ethic.
As the WNBA enters a new era of growth and visibility, A’ja Wilson stands at the center of it all—not just as a player, but as a pillar.
“This is prime time,” Wilson said in a previous interview reflecting on her journey. “And I’m embracing every moment of it.”
With the 2025 Athlete of the Year title now on her shelf, the sports world is left to wonder what milestones are left for A’ja Wilson to conquer. If this season is any indication, the answer is: whatever she wants.
Parham is the owner of Horsemen Sports Media. Parham is also the Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder.
