Ace defensive player worth $200,000 reveals the challenges of facing A’ja Wilson in the key: “There’s no easy solution”

A’ja Wilson showcased an impressive performance in 2024, clinching her third WNBA MVP award and achieving record-breaking statistics – despite her team, the Las Vegas Aces, falling short in their title defense. Her outstanding display has garnered praise from fellow players, including Dallas Wings newcomer DiJonai Carrington.

During a recent Instagram Live session – a snippet of which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday – Carrington, recognized for her defensive prowess during her time with the Connecticut Sun and as a 2024 All-Defensive First Team member, was questioned about how to handle Wilson in the paint.

Under a one-year, $200,000 contract with Dallas, Carrington straightforwardly stated that there is no real solution.

“Don’t ask me,” she remarked. “Do not ask me. Don’t nobody got that answer. Hope she foul out.”

In 2024, A’ja Wilson entered the elite circle, becoming just the fourth player in WNBA history to secure three MVP awards, alongside legends Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson.

Wilson also set new single-season records for both points and rebounds, leading the league in blocks as well.

She shattered Jewell Loyd’s previous scoring record by surpassing 1,000 points in a single season, along with claiming the rebounding title from Angel Reese.

Wilson concluded the season with an impressive 1,021 points and 451 rebounds. Her 26.9 points per game marked a new WNBA single-season scoring average record, and she ranked seventh in field goal percentage at 51.8%.

A’ja Wilson will welcome a new star teammate in 2025 – Jewell Loyd

Following last season’s disappointment, the Aces are gearing up for another title pursuit, aiming to recapture the championship they secured in consecutive years, 2022 and 2023, with A’ja Wilson leading the charge.

Although the Aces experienced key departures in Kelsey Plum and Sydney Colson, they bolstered their roster by bringing in Jewell Loyd.

In a February interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Wilson expressed her thoughts on losing Plum and gaining Loyd.

“(Plum) was our hard-nose player who always stepped up when needed and provided honesty in the locker room. We’re definitely going to miss her,” Wilson acknowledged.

Wilson also conveyed her excitement about teaming up with Loyd.

“When she can play with an open mind, (she’s) very difficult to stop,” Wilson stated. “So I’m super excited. Jewell is just a phenomenal person, and that’s what we value in our locker rooms.”

According to ESPN futures, A’ja Wilson’s Aces are tied with the Indiana Fever for the second-best odds to win the 2025 championship at +350, trailing the New York Liberty at +230.

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About the author

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John Ezekiel Hirro is an experienced NBA and WNBA journalist at Sportskeeda, with over five years in the field as a news correspondent, sports writer, and Editor-in-Chief. His sports writing career began in high school, where he garnered numerous accolades, including being named the national sports writing champion in 2016.

He earned his journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines in 2024 and served as the Editor-in-Chief of The Varsitarian, the university’s official student publication, for four years – the longest in history.

A passionate basketball enthusiast, he became a fan of the OKC Thunder during the Russ-KD-Harden era. Russell Westbrook, his all-time favorite athlete, impressed him by stepping up as MVP after Kevin Durant’s departure. His current favorite players include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, whom he believes are the future of the OKC franchise.

He excels in game analysis and rapid news story turnaround, drawing inspiration from the journalistic styles of Woj and Shams. He emphasizes thorough research to ensure accuracy in his articles. One of his most memorable moments is Russell Westbrook breaking Oscar Robertson’s record with his 42nd triple-double and securing a 106-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Outside of writing, he enjoys listening to music and creating Spotify playlists.

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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro