When basketball enthusiasts come across iconic images like Wilt Chamberlain holding up a handwritten sign after scoring 100 points or witness Kareem Abdul-Jabbar dominating the paint, they likely think:

I wish I could have witnessed that live.

A’ja Wilson is now offering fans the next best experience. She has crafted an exceptional regular season, boasting achievements that stand out in nearly 30 years of WNBA history. Wilson set league records for points (1,021), rebounds (451), and blocks (98) in a single season, making her the first player to take the lead in all these categories.

Such dominance is exceptionally rare and has never occurred in the NBA (while Abdul-Jabbar and Chamberlain might have accomplished it, blocks just became an official NBA statistic in the 1973-74 season).

This season has been particularly significant as she has contributed to the U.S. women’s gold-medal streak, helping them aim for their eighth consecutive medal (check) while also leading the Las Vegas Aces in their pursuit of a third consecutive title (they begin the playoffs on Sunday against the Seattle Storm).

As any great athlete nears retirement, it’s common to reminisce about their achievements and past glories. However, A’ja Wilson, aged 28 and just entering her prime, allows fans to appreciate her brilliance in real-time.

Her teammates certainly share this sentiment.

“When you have athletes of this caliber, take the time to appreciate it,” said Alysha Clark after their 86-75 victory against Indiana on Sept. 11. “Because one day she won’t be available. She’ll retire and venture into her life, and people will look back in awe at her contributions. Appreciate her now.”

Head coach Becky Hammon, in her third year and with eight years of experience as an NBA assistant coach, has been trying to draw a comparison—looking for an NBA player whose skills and statistics mirror Wilson’s in order to provide fans with a frame of reference. But Hammon has found herself stumped.

When asked if she can truly appreciate Wilson’s game during the action, or if she is too focused on coaching, Hammon chuckled.

“I mean, I do have two eyes,” Hammon said, laughing. “But then it’s onto the next play. You can’t dwell on greatness; I need to make sure she executes correctly the next time.”

However, during game reviews, Hammon becomes so excited about Wilson’s skill that she’ll pause the action and urge everyone around her to see what she’s witnessing. Sometimes as an opponent is shooting the ball, Wilson is still grounded; yet, her quick reflexes and remarkable athleticism allow her to spring into action in a heartbeat to block the shot.

This season, Wilson’s performance has been somewhat overshadowed by the team’s struggles early on, especially without point guard Chelsea Gray (the Aces managed a 6-6 record while Gray dealt with a foot injury). Las Vegas finds itself starting the postseason in an unusual fourth seed position.

Nonetheless, Wilson’s performance throughout the season makes her the favorite to win the MVP award when the league honors are announced next week. The only question that remains is whether she will sweep all the votes. Only one player in league history has achieved a unanimous MVP selection: Cynthia Cooper in 1997, receiving top votes on 37 ballots. This year, there are 60 voters.

Even if she secures a unanimous selection to add to her already impressive accolades, Wilson—who often claims she “feeds off greed”—isn’t satisfied or particularly impressed with her achievements.

“I don’t feel like I’ve reached that zone yet where I can say, ‘Oh, this is next level (stuff).’ I still believe I have more to give,” she mentioned to YSL News Sports.

During her time at South Carolina, where she helped lay the groundwork for what has now become a women’s college basketball dynasty, coach Dawn Staley had a specific phrase she would shout to elevate Wilson’s game.

“You’re blending!” Staley would often call out from the sidelines.

This was her way of encouraging Wilson to shine bright during every moment. It’s a principle that remains firmly in Wilson’s mindset.

So what will motivate Wilson if she claims the title of unanimous MVP? Without hesitation, she answered.

“I want to achieve back-to-back unanimous titles,” she expressed.

Clearly, she is not one to fade into the background. She is unmistakably a force to be reckoned with.

contributing : Email Lindsay Schnell  follow her on social media@Lindsay_Schnell