Aces superstar A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY December 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM 1 Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson is TIME's Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is. The 6foot4 South Carolina native earned her second WNBA scoring title, third Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award and fourth MVP (the first in league history to accomplish the feat) weeks before winning her third championship. The now twotime Finals MVP and the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
- - Aces superstar A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY December 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
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Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson is TIME's Athlete of the Year, because, of course, she is.
The 6-foot-4 South Carolina native earned her second WNBA scoring title, third Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award and fourth MVP (the first in league history to accomplish the feat) weeks before winning her third championship. The now two-time Finals MVP and the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.
Wilson is the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP and DPOY award in the same season. She's also one of four players in the WNBA or NBA to win four MVP trophies before the age of 30. Fittingly, Wilson wore a Thanos-inspired glove to Las Vegas' championship parade earlier this year to celebrate.
"When you've collected everything, that's Thanos," Wilson told TIME. "And this year, I collected everything. I don't really talk much s---, I mean crap. I kind of let my game do it. This was my biggest moment of doing it, because no one's ever done what I've done. And I think people really needed to understand that."
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rp6MyiQ class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
" src=https://ift.tt/rp6MyiQ class=caas-img>Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/v2iJUaL class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/v2iJUaL class=caas-img>Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/IJrDEfR class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/IJrDEfR class=caas-img>Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fWnuJsz class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/fWnuJsz class=caas-img>Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8Kk1E2e class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
" src=https://ift.tt/8Kk1E2e class=caas-img>Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/iT3KZaI class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
" src=https://ift.tt/iT3KZaI class=caas-img>Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8FuiwmC class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/8FuiwmC class=caas-img>Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GcPiaUx class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/GcPiaUx class=caas-img>Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Sj7n0WO class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/Sj7n0WO class=caas-img>Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pgG1xYX class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
">Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
" src=https://ift.tt/pgG1xYX class=caas-img>Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Dj9wykb class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
">Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
" src=https://ift.tt/Dj9wykb class=caas-img>Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Nx8fglJ class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/Nx8fglJ class=caas-img>Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FMChsmk class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/FMChsmk class=caas-img>Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dKv7J9s class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
" src=https://ift.tt/dKv7J9s class=caas-img>Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
" data-src=https://ift.tt/e4htc2z class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
" src=https://ift.tt/e4htc2z class=caas-img>Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5XN68Bg class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
">Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
" src=https://ift.tt/5XN68Bg class=caas-img>Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fuLn4t0 class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
">Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
" src=https://ift.tt/fuLn4t0 class=caas-img>Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gKGs5zY class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
">Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
" src=https://ift.tt/gKGs5zY class=caas-img>Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NHTFB2v class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/NHTFB2v class=caas-img>Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/dN6GgSr class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
">Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
" src=https://ift.tt/dN6GgSr class=caas-img>Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XcmfhTq class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/XcmfhTq class=caas-img>Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xUOQFhb class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/xUOQFhb class=caas-img>Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Rg1WtxG class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
">Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
" src=https://ift.tt/Rg1WtxG class=caas-img>Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/c04bZ7y class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/c04bZ7y class=caas-img>Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/oSHIzga class=caas-img data-headline="The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals" data-caption="
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
">Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
" src=https://ift.tt/oSHIzga class=caas-img>
1 / 30The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA FinalsGame 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
Wilson was part of several TIME honorees for 2025, including KPop Demon Hunters as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year, YouTube's Neal Mohan as the CEO of the Year and Leonardo DiCaprio as the Entertainer of the Year.
Her ascension to the greatest year in her career did not come without some struggles. At the midway point of the WNBA season, the Aces were sitting at .500 and were on the receiving end of a 50-plus blowout loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Then, a switch flipped. Las Vegas rattled off 16 straight wins to get to the postseason, and endured back-to-back playoff series that required the team to play every game possible (three against the Seattle Storm and five against the Indiana Fever) before getting to the Finals."Sometimes you've just got to get knocked down to get built back up," Wilson said. "I think 2025 was a wake-up call that I needed, to let me know that I can't be satisfied with anything. There's somebody out there that's going to try to take your job. You need to make sure you're great at it, every single day."
Wilson further cemented her legacy and perhaps her TIME Athlete of the Year award when she hit a game-winning shot against the Mercury during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. The shot, released with a fitting 2.2 seconds left on the clock (a subtle ode to her No. 22 jersey), cemented the series for the Aces and catapulted Wilson into the conversations for the WNBA's greatest player of all time. Still, the WNBA star wouldn't quite put herself in that category just yet. That said, she believes that she's making it hard for people to chase after her.
"When you think about a lot of GOATs, they have those career-defining shots that solidify you as the best…", she said. "I didn't really have one of those. I had championships, yeah. But it was never really like a moment of like, 'Whoooooooo. That's why she is who she is. She's exactly who she thinks she is.'"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 09, 2025 at 02:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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