A'ja Wilson is just like us! Four-time MVP still gets treated like a kid by her parents
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A'ja Wilson is just like us! Four-time MVP still gets treated like a kid by her parents
Nancy Armour, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
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2 min read
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PHOENIX — No matter how old and accomplished you are, your parents are always going to see you as their child.
A'ja Wilsonsaid Thursday that her parents, Roscoe and Eva, have been living with her for the past two months while watching her and theLas Vegas Aceschase a third title in four years. And while the four-time MVP loves having them with her, being under the same roof as her parents again takes some adjusting to.
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Even if it'sherroof now.
"I have a chef and they're still like, `Make sure she gets her vegetables!' I'm like, `OK. Yes. We're good,'" Wilson said, the exasperation of a teenager creeping into her voice.
"They're still on East Coast time, so they're up at like 5 a.m. over in my house. I hear pots clinking and clinking and I'm like, `What is going on?'" she said. "But yeah, they're still my parents. They're still making sure that my bed's made, making sure I do my chores even though I have all those things taken care of."
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
1/30
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Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
1/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
2/30
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Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
3/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
4/30
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Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
5/30
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Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22).
(Lucas Peltier, Imagn Images)
6/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
7/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces battles for the ball with Alyssa Thomas #25 and Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
8/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) and A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces grab a rebound past DeWanna Bonner (14) and Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
9/30
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Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
10/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) looks to tip a loose ball away from Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Imagn Images)
11/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
12/30
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Game 1: A'ja Wilson (22) of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after making a basket against the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
13/30
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Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Megan Gustafson (17) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
14/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Satou Sabally (0) of the Phoenix Mercury looks to shoot the ball against NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
15/30
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Game 1: NaLyssa Smith (3) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the third quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
16/30
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Game 1: Chelsea Gray (12) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts against the Phoenix Mercury during the fourth quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
17/30
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Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury drives to the basket against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
18/30
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Game 1: Alyssa Thomas (25) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
19/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
20/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) drives against Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2).
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
21/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Kahleah Copper (2) of the Phoenix Mercury celebrates after her 3-point basket.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
22/30
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Game 1: Head coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury looks on during the first quarter.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
23/30
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Game 1: Maddy Westbeld of the Chicago Sky (left) and Rae Burrell of the Los Angeles Sparks look on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
24/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Jackie Young (0) of the Las Vegas Aces reacts in front of Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
25/30
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Game 1: Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon looks on.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
26/30
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Game 1: Dana Evans of the Las Vegas Aces, shoots the ball between Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
27/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
28/30
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Game 1: Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury grabs a rebound against the Las Vegas Aces.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
29/30
The best photos as Aces, Mercury meet in 2025 WNBA Finals
Game 1: Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces shoots the ball against Monique Akoa Makani of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
30/30
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Game 1: A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Kahleah Copper of the Phoenix Mercury.
(Ian Maule, Getty Images)
Roscoe and Eva Wilson still live in South Carolina, where Wilson grew up and went to college. But now that they're retired, they can spend long stretches on the road to cheer on their daughter. They were at the Aces' practice facility when WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Wilson she'd won her fourth MVP award. Roscoe Wilson and Las Vegas owner Mark Davis evensported pink wigsfor the occasion, a tribute to the initial colorway of her signature A'One shoe.
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They also were in the stands when Las Vegas closed out its first-round series against the Seattle Storm, and a photo of the three of them after the game captures her parents' love and pride.
"The emotion behind the picture is something I want to get framed and put in my house because my parents have been on this journey, obviously, for a long, long time," Wilson said. "Their support, it's unwavering. It's unconditional love that I need at this time."
Even if they do sometimes still treat her like a kid.
"No, they never change," Wilson said with a smile. "And that's what I love the most about 'em."
