For years, the WNBA's greatest-of-all-time conversation has been a lively, endlessly debated topic. But according to the woman who once held the crown, that debate is all but finished.
Diana Taurasi, a three-time champion and six-time Olympic gold medalist, has long been the standard-bearer for greatness in the league. Yet in a recent conversation with Bill Simmons of The Ringer, Taurasi made it clear that the torch has been passed — and the new face of the WNBA is A'ja Wilson.
“To be MVP five times, it’s ridiculous,” Taurasi said. “How could you not say she’s the GOAT if she wins five [MVPs] in a row? Even with four in a row, no one else has done that in the WNBA. To do that and win [championships] – I think that’s the most impressive thing.”
Wilson's resume is already staggering. She has claimed MVP honors in 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025, and she's on the verge of adding a fifth in 2026. Her current averages of 26.0 points and 9.4 rebounds per game are just the latest proof of her dominance. While voters could theoretically grow weary of picking the same name year after year, Wilson's on-court brilliance makes it nearly impossible to ignore her.
The 2026 MVP race is essentially a formality. Olivia Miles and Kelsey Mitchell are having strong seasons, but neither has come close to matching Wilson's impact. As the regular season winds down, Wilson is the overwhelming favorite to take home the hardware once again.
Taurasi's endorsement carries weight. She's not just a legend; she's someone who has seen every era of the league and understands what it takes to sustain greatness. Her willingness to crown Wilson speaks volumes about the Aces star's place in history.
Wilson's combination of scoring efficiency, rebounding, and defensive presence has redefined what a franchise player looks like. She's led the Las Vegas Aces to multiple titles, and her individual accolades are piling up at a rate that has never been seen before in the WNBA.
Some may argue that championships should factor more heavily into the GOAT debate, but Wilson has those too. She's already a two-time champion, and with the Aces still contenders, more rings could be on the way.
As Taurasi herself pointed out, no one else has ever won four straight MVPs, let alone five. That kind of sustained excellence is unprecedented. It's the kind of achievement that doesn't just put you in the conversation — it ends it.
So while the rest of the sports world may still be debating who the greatest of all time is, Taurasi has made her choice clear. For her, the answer has been obvious for a while now: it's A'ja Wilson.
