Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson knows greatness when she sees it. The much-accomplished WNBA star has practically done it all in her career, making her one of the faces of the league. So when she talks, people listen.
On Saturday, the Aces defeated star rookie Cameron Brink and the Los Angeles Sparks. The Aces powered their way to victory thanks to a team effort. That effort was led by Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and rookie Kate Martin. The former Second Team All-Big Ten selection proved her worth and then some on Saturday. She became the subject of an epic block she handed down and, then, an epic viral photo.
So, after all the hubbub, it wasn’t surprising to hear Wilson send compliments her rookie teammate’s way.
“That’s who she is. She’s high energy always in practice, so it was just a matter of time that it translates over to the game. So we were all excited and hyped for her,” Wilson said. “And that’s what you need. Like, coming in, it’s hard being a rookie. It’s so hard,” Wilson said. “Let alone being a rookie with the two-time champs. I can only imagine what she goes home to and just kinda thinks and processes. So I try to uplift her in every single way that I can, try to be there for her.”
More from Wilson:
“I feel like today I kinda looked at her, I was like, ‘Believe in yourself. Like, Go! Believe in your matchup. Attack that!’ Because it’s needed so, she has 11 people behind her that’s going to make sure she’s comfortable and good at where she is and believing in herself and always giving energy just like she does for us.”
That, in some ways, is what leadership looks like.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022