After recording one of the greatest rookie seasons in league history, the WNBA announced Sunday that Las Vegas Aces F/C A’ja Wilson has been unanimously named the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Playing for the Aces in their first season in Las Vegas after relocating from San Antonio, Wilson averaged 20.7 points per game, good for third in the league, while adding 8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. She finished sixth in the WNBA in both categories. She became just the second player in league history to average 20 PPG as a rookie.
The @WNBAPrez Lisa Borders presents @_AjaWilson22 with the Rookie of the Year ? at tonight’s @USABasketball exhibition game! #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/7ispzNiXfZ
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 11, 2018
The Aces’ star also shot a rookie-best 46.2 percent from the field while also shooting 77.4 percent from the free throw line. Wilson set WNBA rookie records for free throws made and attempted in a campaign.
Along with taking home Rookie of the Year honors, Wilson swept all three WNBA Rookie of the Month awards and was named a 2018 WNBA All-Star. She was also named the Western Conference Player of the Week for July 2-8.
What a YEAR it’s been for Rookie of the Year @_ajawilson22 as she reflects on her first #WNBA season
Catch her and the #USABWNT back in action NOW on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/ucvMFm5zk7
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 10, 2018
The No. 1 pick of the 2018 WNBA Draft, Wilson led a six-game improvement for Las Vegas from last season, missing the final playoff spot by just one game.
The Aces hold the No. 1 pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft, and will look to make the postseason in their second year in Las Vegas behind the play of Wilson.
