The Las Vegas Aces are champions once again, completing a dominant sweep of the Phoenix Mercury to capture their third WNBA title in four years. At the center of it all was A’ja Wilson, who delivered a masterful Finals performance to earn her second Finals MVP award, capping a season for the ages.
As the celebration began, her former college coach, Dawn Staley, sent a message from halfway across the world that perfectly captured the magnitude of Wilson’s historic achievement.
How Did Dawn Staley React to A’ja Wilson’s Latest Title?
Staley, the celebrated head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, didn’t waste a moment congratulating her former star player. Upon landing in Paris, she learned about the Aces’ championship victory and quickly shared her excitement. Staley’s message highlighted the unparalleled career Wilson has built.
“Just landed in Paris and just got the results of the @WNBA finals. @_ajawilson22 and @LVAces have done it again! Congrats A! I don’t think anyone has built the type of resume you have. God just keeps on blessing you! You wear Him well! Deserved rest loading!” Staley wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Just landed in Paris and just got the results of the @WNBA finals. @_ajawilson22 and @LVAces have done it again! Congrats A! I don’t think anyone has built the type of resume you have. God just keeps on blessing you! You wear Him well! Deserved rest loading!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) October 11, 2025
The Hall of Fame coach’s praise underscored how special Wilson’s season was. Her resume is unmatched in basketball history. Wilson became the first player in either WNBA or NBA history to win a scoring title, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Finals MVP all in the same season.
Wilson’s performance in the Finals proved exactly why she stands alone. She was a dominant force throughout the series, averaging 28.5 points and 11.8 rebounds. Her incredible run included a 31-point, nine-rebound effort in the decisive Game 4. This followed a massive 34-point, 14-rebound performance in Game 3, where she hit the game-winning shot with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
Why Was Staley’s Support So Unwavering?
Even before the Finals began, Staley confidently predicted success for her former players competing in the series. Her faith was clear and public.
“I’m actually pretty calm. I can’t lose. There will be a @GamecockWBB or two in the @WNBA finals. They are both built for this moment… dominating players on every level they have played. We are all Now witnesses!” she posted.
Her confidence was certainly justified. Wilson dominated every contest and led the Aces to a perfect 4-0 sweep, leaving no doubt about their superiority.
MORE: Dawn Staley’s Rival Coaches Offer Their Honest Assessment of A’ja Wilson After MVP Win
This support was consistent with Staley’s stance throughout the year. Earlier in September, she had endorsed Wilson for the league’s MVP award. “I’m biased, but the historical numbers and run their own aren’t,” she stated in a viral post defending her former player.
However, some fans criticized Staley’s vocal support. They argued that Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier was more deserving of the MVP award and suggested the high-profile coach shouldn’t use her platform to influence voting decisions.
Despite the backlash, Staley never wavered in her support for Wilson. In the end, Wilson’s championship run and historic season effectively silenced any doubters. Her performance proved that Staley’s enthusiastic praise was not just loyalty, but a reflection of a player in a league of her own.
