Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to record a 30-point, 20-rebound double-double as her team beat the Connecticut Sun 94-86 on Sunday night.
Wilson finished with 32 points and 20 rebounds to go with five assists and two steals, CNN reported. Wilson, who turned 29 on Friday, now has 30 career games with at least 30 points, tied for third all-time with Breanna Stewart, the outlet added.
According to ESPN, it was her 14th double-double of the season and her sixth career game with at least 30 points and 15 rebounds, tying Tina Charles for the most in WNBA history.
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“It’s huge,” Wilson said, per ESPN. “I didn’t even know, as many greats as we have in this league, it’s kind of a shocker that it’s just now happening. It’s a blessing. I love what I do.
“I love what I do. I love it so much, so anytime that I can come out and just play basketball the way that I love it, and the team, and we’re all getting involved – I’m happy with that.
“It’s pretty cool to have my name in the record books when it comes to that. I’m pretty sure there’s going to be a lot following up. So yeah, it’s pretty cool to kind of be the first one.”
“It’s just A’ja being A’ja,” Aces coach Becky Hammon added. “She probably could have had one of these in the past. I never let her really go to the offensive glass this year, where we’ve been emphasizing that more.”
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Wilson became the fastest and second-youngest player to score 5,000 career points earlier this season. She remains one of the top women’s basketball players and an athletic hero. She got into basketball with the support and encouragement of her parents, despite her initial reluctance to do sports.
The former University of South Carolina women’s basketball player would gradually develop an interest in basketball. Her dad, Roscoe Wilson Jr., would make her wear a weighted vest while she scored layups. The athlete described this period as “the hell part” of their relationship, but it also helped to improve her skills.
Wilson played for the University of South Carolina from 2015 to 2018. While playing for the Gamecocks, they won the 2017 NCAA Tournament, three SEC regular-season titles, and four SEC Tournament wins. In 2018, the WNBA drafted her as the No. 1 pick in the first round, and she made her debut with the Las Vegas Aces.
