A’ja Wilson Talks Anxiety, Dawn Staley, And How Bam Adebayo Loves Her Properly
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson recently sat down with Vogue for an in-depth profile, offering a rare look into the life of a star in the WNBA. Fresh off leading the Aces to their third WNBA title in a thrilling series against the Phoenix Mercury, Wilson spent time at a practice gym in Miami to discuss the calm of her offseason and the release of her much-anticipated Nike signature shoe, the A’Two.
The feature highlights Wilson’s rise Wilson from a high school standout in South Carolina to a global icon with a statue in her honor at her alma mater. Despite the four MVP awards and two Olympic gold medals, she remains grounded in the principles of faith and service instilled by her parents, Roscoe Wilson and Eva Wilson. The star center opened up about her early struggles with dyslexia and the self-doubt she faced as a teenager, noting that basketball eventually gave her the confidence to feel like she belonged.
The bond between Wilson and her college coach, Dawn Staley, remains a cornerstone of her career. Staley described her former player as a "thinker and a perfectionist" who activated a new level of dominance after the Aces suffered a historic 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx last season. That loss triggered a legendary 25–3 run through the postseason, culminating in Wilson hitting the championship-winning shot and earning Finals MVP honors.
However, the Vogue profile doesn’t just focus on the wins. Wilson was candid about the emotional and spiritual toll of the relentless WNBA schedule. She revealed her experiences with anxiety and how therapy has helped her "protect her peace" amidst the growing, and sometimes toxic, noise of social media. She emphasized that while fans see her as a "character" on the court, she is human behind the scenes, dealing with the same nerves and pressures as anyone else.
The story also touches on her personal life in Miami with her boyfriend, NBA star Bam Adebayo. Wilson credited Adebayo with loving her "properly" and providing a support system that allows her to be herself away from the cameras. Between playing Uno and color-coded scheduling, the couple finds time to train together, with the Aces star noting that his work ethic motivates her to be great for him.
Looking toward the future, Wilson is embracing her role as a bridge between the WNBA’s past and its high-fashion future. Whether she is giving input on the "glam room" mirrors in the Aces' practice facility or serving on the Host Committee for the Met Gala alongside Beyoncé, she is determined to leave the league better than she found it.