A’ja Wilson’s on court accomplishments have attested the tag accorded to her: she is well and truly the face of the WNBA. The 28-year-old has won three WNBA Regular Season MVP awards, a WNBA Finals MVP award, and two Defensive Player of the Year Awards through her chequered career. With such a resume, it is no wonder she has also been labelled as the LeBron James of the WNBA. However, such a lofty comparison brings with it another level of pressure.
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During “The Job Interview” with Wall Street Journal (WSJ. Style), Wilson was asked how she felt about the LeBron James comparisons. The Las Vegas Aces star answered that being mentioned in the same breath as James adds a heavy load on her shoulders.
Wilson highlighted that LBJ has carved his own legacy without giving in to external pressures that would have forced him to do things a certain way.
For instance, LeBron was expected to spend all his career at the Cleveland Cavaliers. But he moved on, joined the Miami Heat in 2010 to fulfil his championship dreams. Wilson insisted she follows a similar approach, doing things her own way. She said,
“Talk about a crown that’s heavy. I feel like that’s what it is but I try to wear it with grace. When it comes to LeBron and his career, and his journey, he did things on his time, his way. People tried to mold him and cookie-cut him, and try to put him in this box. And I think every year, Bron constantly showed up and showed people why you will never put him in a box. So I feel like when people compare me to him, when it comes to our league, that’s what I see.”
Wilson conveyed that like James, she too puts her heart into the game but enjoys the ride at the same time.
“Not necessarily, the style of play but more so when people see me and they see me play, they see someone that has put a lot of passion in the game but also I never lose sight of the fun. Like, it is a game at the end of the day. And then obviously if you’re being compared to LeBron James, you are doing something right,” Wilson continued
Wilson and James have tremendous respect for each other. The 4x NBA Finals MVP has been generous with his compliments for the best women’s hooper in the world.
LeBron shouts out Wilson regularly
Wilson recalled her first interaction with James. This was when he was doing a campaign for his shoe, and she was part of a series that acknowledged professional women of color.
At the time, James noticed and recognized her, and called her a “rookie with a voice.” This heart-warming incident was the first of many instances when James presented bouquets to the 3x WNBA MVP.
In September, after she dropped 41 points and 17 rebounds against the Phoenix Mercury, James tweeted, “TOO DAMN GOOOD!!!! My sister better than yours! [laughing emojis].”
Wilson has also returned the love liberally. She dons James’ signature Nike shoes and during the Paris Olympics, debuted his Bron 22s.
