A'ja Wilson

A'ja Wilson not only reeled people in with her buoyant personality, but her unparalleled game drew in thousands as crowds and viewers at home watched her and the Las Vegas Aces take over the WNBA Finals. Wilson saw an awards sweep this season that few in basketball history have ever seen, making All-WNBA First Team and the 2022 All-Star roster, as well as winning DPOY, league MVP, and the championship all in the same season.

We need to be fans of A'ja Wilson this year because 2022 was her year. Becky Hammon arrived and changed up the Las Vegas Aces court, and it brought out even more of the 2020 WNBA MVP. A'ja was a defensive titan whose scoring made her team an electric, efficient unit; a true joy to watch on the hardwood. And A'ja is a joy herself. From her press conferences, interviews and even tweets, she effortlessly manages to be both intensely focused on being the best while having laid-back fun about doing what she loves. It's a privilege to see the great ones do what they do best, and that's what WNBA fans got this year when watching A'ja take the court.

In August, A'ja became the first WNBA star to score a partnership with Ruffles. For the W and for women's sports at large, a chip deal is just the beginning. With increased accessibility, WNBA viewership and fandom is growing exponentially, and companies are realizing the value of being represented by the game's biggest stars. A'ja is iconic not only for her game, but for her personality, all of which has combined to provide opportunities outside of the game. After landing a chip deal, A'ja went on an idealized promotional run: She just kept winning everything. All-Star, MVP, DPOY, then 2022 WNBA Champion. And it didn't even stop there: A'ja and Team USA won gold at the 2022 FIBA World Cup. In 2022, A'ja Wilson became the face of the WNBA. The player, and the person, that she is will propel the league and its fans to unprecedented new heights.