Vanity Fair may have just committed a major foul with its latest cover story. The magazine put Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson on the front of its 2026 Sports Issue, but fans quickly noticed a glaring error in the accompanying tagline. Instead of celebrating her dominant inside game, the publication described her as “lobbing three-pointers”—a description that has WNBA fans rolling their eyes.
The controversy erupted when Vanity Fair shared Wilson’s cover photo on social media, captioning it: “Whether A’ja Wilson is lobbing three-pointers or walking the red carpet, the WNBA’s four-time MVP doesn’t miss.” The problem? Wilson has attempted just 87 three-pointers in her entire nine-year WNBA career. That’s fewer than some players attempt in a single season. The four-time MVP is known for her unstoppable post moves, rebounding, and defense—not for launching from deep.
Fans were quick to react. “A’Ja is the best player in the world—no doubt. But she has 87 three pointers in 9 WNBA seasons. Come on now,” one person wrote. Another added, “Lobbing 3 pointers. Tell me you’ve never watched a game in your life without telling me.” The backlash has been swift, with many accusing the magazine of either using AI-generated copy or simply not doing basic research on one of the league’s biggest stars.
Wilson’s career averages—21.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game—underscore her reputation as a paint-dominant force. She’s a seven-time All-Star and the reigning MVP, but her game has never revolved around the three-point line. The tagline’s inaccuracy has sparked a broader conversation about how major media outlets cover women’s sports, especially when it comes to A'ja Wilson's legacy.
Despite the misstep, Wilson’s interview with Vanity Fair offered plenty of genuine insight. She opened up about her future, saying she wants to eventually focus on family. “I would love to just dive into being a wife, being a mother. Being an amazing daughter to my parents, that is always my number one goal,” she shared. But for now, her focus remains on dominating the court. “I want to prove that I’m the best,” Wilson said. “That allows me to have a great trophy case. It allows me to get rings. And it allows me to just play with peace.”
The timing of the blunder is particularly awkward, coming just as the WNBA season tips off. Wilson and the Aces are set to face the Connecticut Sun on Wednesday night, and the two-time defending champions are looking to make another deep playoff run. Wilson’s drive to prove herself remains as strong as ever, even as she already sits atop the league’s hierarchy.
This isn’t the first time a major publication has stumbled when covering a women’s sports star, but the backlash highlights how much fans expect accuracy—especially for a player of Wilson’s stature. The incident also echoes other recent media missteps, such as the Russini-Vrabel comment controversy that had fans questioning journalistic standards.
Vanity Fair has not yet responded to the criticism, but the damage may already be done. For a player who has worked tirelessly to elevate women’s basketball, being reduced to a lazy stereotype about three-point shooting feels like a missed opportunity. Wilson’s greatness deserves better—and her fans are making sure the world knows it.
