Sophie Cunningham Calls A'ja Wilson the World's Best Player

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has praised Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson as the world's best basketball player following Wilson's historic fifth WNBA Most Valuable Player award, announced Thursday. Cunningham shared her assessment during Friday's episode of her No Hesitation podcast while discussing Wilson's performances against the Golden State Valkyries, as the Aces faced potential playoff elimination after losing the first two games of their series.

Wilson's latest MVP victory established two milestones in WNBA history. According to the source report, she became the league's first five-time MVP and the first player to win the award in three consecutive seasons.

Cunningham delivered her assessment while analyzing Wilson's performances alongside Drew Hanlen on the podcast. Her comments reflected the recognition Wilson has received across the WNBA and the wider women's basketball community.

"She's the best player in the world," Cunningham said of Wilson.

Wilson continued to produce offensively despite the Aces' difficult position against the Valkyries. She scored 24 points and grabbed four rebounds in the first game, shooting 8-for-21 from the field, or 38.1%, as Golden State heavily contested her attempts near the basket.

In the second game, Wilson again scored 24 points, adding nine rebounds and two assists. She improved her shooting to 9-for-16 from the field, or 56.3%, and converted all six of her free throws.

Across the regular season, Wilson led the league with averages of 26.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, according to the source report. She also recorded a career-high 3.2 assists per game, a league-leading 1.9 blocks per game and 1.4 steals per game.

Wilson described the personal significance of her fifth MVP award during her acceptance remarks, connecting the achievement to the ambitions she held as a teenager and the challenges she had faced growing up.

"This one here is just a little bit different," Wilson said.

She explained that receiving the honor carried a meaning beyond reaching professional milestones, including becoming a five-time MVP and a three-time champion.

"As a girl, you dream so big, and you write your goals out, and you just never imagine that you will be able to check them off. That's why I cried harder on this one because 15-year-old A'ja wasn't sitting up here dreaming about being a five-time MVP. She wasn't dreaming about being a three-time champion.

She was dreaming about surviving this world. So for me to sit up here surrounded by these trophies, it means a little bit more to me."

Despite the individual recognition, Wilson said her immediate priority remained the Aces' playoff survival. After losing the first two games against the Valkyries, Las Vegas needed a victory in Game 3 on Friday night to keep its postseason hopes alive.

Wilson also said she would skip the customary pregame ceremony celebrating her MVP award during the home game, choosing instead to prepare with her teammates.

"I love the fans, but I will not be doing that," Wilson said. "I will be warming up with my team. Everyone in this room knows how much of a competitor I am and what my main focus is."

The Aces entered Game 3 facing a 2-0 series deficit. According to the source report, no team in WNBA history had overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a playoff series, leaving Wilson and Las Vegas facing a significant historical challenge.