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A’ja Wilson

$4 Million
Professional Basketball Player (WNBA), Author, Entrepreneur

Quick Facts

Full Name A'ja Riyadh Wilson
Net Worth $4 Million
Profession Professional Basketball Player (WNBA), Author, Entrepreneur
Date of Birth August 8, 1996
Nationality American
Height 6'4" (193 cm)
Weight 195 lbs (88 kg)
Spouse/Partner Bam Adebayo (boyfriend, 2024–present)
Children None

Biography

A’ja Wilson has a net worth of $4 million as of 2026, built through seven WNBA seasons with the Las Vegas Aces, a landmark six-year Nike extension, and an expanding portfolio of endorsements. The four-time WNBA MVP and three-time champion is widely considered the greatest women’s basketball player of her generation, having won every major individual award the league offers — in the same season.

Updated March 2026: According to NBA.com and contract data from Spotrac, Wilson earned $200,000 in base WNBA salary during the 2025 season, bringing her total WNBA career earnings through 2025 to approximately $1.03 million. Her off-court income — anchored by a Nike extension worth well over $20 million over six years per ESPN — makes up the substantial majority of her overall wealth.

A’ja Wilson’s Early Life and Education

A’ja Riyadh Wilson was born on August 8, 1996, in Hopkins, South Carolina, to Roscoe Wilson Jr. and Eva Rakes Wilson. Her first name comes from her father’s favorite song, “Aja” by Steely Dan; her middle name, Riyadh, honors the Saudi capital where her maternal aunt was deployed during Operation Desert Storm. The name itself captures the global reach her family had before A’ja played her first high school game.

Wilson grew up as one of few Black students at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, a private institution in Columbia, South Carolina. She made varsity as an eighth-grader and played 119 high school games, averaging 24.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per contest. As a senior in 2014, she led Heathwood Hall to the state championship with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 blocks in the title game, earning National High School Player of the Year honors from the WBCA, Naismith, and Parade, as well as McDonald’s All-American recognition.

Wilson enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where she majored in mass communications and graduated in May 2018. Under head coach Dawn Staley, she developed into the most decorated college player of her era. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2015, SEC Player of the Year three consecutive times (2016–2018), and swept every major national Player of the Year award as a senior — Wade Trophy, Wooden Award, Honda Sport Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year, and USBWA Player of the Year. She also helped lead South Carolina to the 2017 NCAA Championship, earning Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Her No. 22 jersey was retired by South Carolina in February 2025.

A’ja Wilson’s WNBA Career

The Las Vegas Aces selected Wilson with the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She averaged 20.7 points per game as a rookie — third in the league — and won Rookie of the Year while earning her first All-Star selection. The Aces finished 14–20 that year, and Wilson spent the 2018–19 offseason playing for the Shaanxi Red Wolves in China’s WCBA, a common path for WNBA players seeking additional income and development.

Wilson’s breakout came in 2020, when she won her first WNBA MVP award, averaging 20.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while leading the Aces to an 18–4 record during the league’s pandemic bubble season. She did not attempt a single three-pointer that season, relying entirely on her interior game. The Aces reached the Finals but lost to the Seattle Storm in a sweep.

The 2022 season marked a turning point. Wilson won her second MVP award and the Defensive Player of the Year award — a rare combination — and the Aces captured their first franchise championship, defeating the Connecticut Sun. In 2023, she tied the WNBA record with a 53-point game, won a second DPOY, and led Las Vegas to back-to-back titles, earning Finals MVP. The Aces became just the third franchise in WNBA history to win consecutive championships.

In 2024, Wilson became the first player in WNBA history to surpass 1,000 points in a single season, finishing with 1,021 and setting a new single-season scoring record. She was named MVP unanimously — only the second unanimous selection in league history, joining Cynthia Cooper in 1997 — and won gold at the Paris Olympics, earning tournament MVP.

The 2025 season was the most historically complete of her career. After the Aces dropped to a 14–14 record midway through the year, Wilson carried Las Vegas on a 16-game winning streak — the second-longest in league history — to close the regular season. She averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game, leading the league in scoring and blocks. She won a record fourth WNBA MVP award, becoming the first player to win it four times and surpassing the previous three-time record held by Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, and Lauren Jackson. She shared the Defensive Player of the Year award with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith. The Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, with Wilson scoring 31 points in the title-clinching Game 4 and earning Finals MVP — making her the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the scoring title in the same season. She was named TIME Athlete of the Year and AP Female Athlete of the Year for 2025.

Through the 2025 season, Wilson’s career totals include seven All-Star selections, three WNBA championships, four MVP awards, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, two Finals MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals (Tokyo 2021, Paris 2024). Her career WNBA earnings reached $1,031,642 through 2025, per Spotrac.

How A’ja Wilson Built Her $4 Million Fortune

  • WNBA Salary: Wilson signed a two-year extension with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023 covering the 2024 and 2025 seasons, worth $400,000 total ($200,000 per year), per Spotrac. Her rookie contract (2018–2021) totaled $232,178, and a 2022–2023 extension was valued at $398,422, averaging roughly $199,211 per year. Total WNBA career earnings through 2025: approximately $1.03 million. Wilson becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026, where the next collective bargaining agreement is expected to significantly raise the supermax salary.
  • Nike (Six-Year Extension): In December 2024, Wilson agreed to a six-year contract extension with Nike — one of the richest shoe deals ever signed by a female basketball player, per ESPN. The deal is reported to be worth well over $20 million. Nike also released her signature sneaker, the A’One, in 2024, with Wilson wearing a leg sleeve that became a recognizable part of her on-court look. She has been with Nike since entering the WNBA in 2018.
  • Gatorade (Multi-Year Deal): Wilson joined Gatorade’s endorsement roster in May 2024 in a multi-year deal, according to Just Women’s Sports. She was featured in Gatorade’s “It Hasn’t Changed” campaign alongside Luka Doncic and Caitlin Clark — a campaign emphasizing the company’s presence across top athletes regardless of gender.
  • Ruffles (Multi-Year Deal): In 2022, Wilson became the first female athlete to sign a multi-year deal with Ruffles, including a signature flavor — Smoky BBQ — tied to her name and personality. The deal was notable as a crossover brand moment for women’s sports.
  • Mountain Dew: Wilson joined Mountain Dew in 2018 as one of the first female basketball players to sign with the brand. She appeared in multiple campaigns including the 2020 “Crossover Salon” and a 2021 hoodie/durag collaboration.
  • Author — Dear Black Girls (2024): Wilson published her debut children’s book, Dear Black Girls, in 2024. The book became a New York Times bestseller, adding both income and cultural profile to her portfolio.
  • Burnt Wax Candle Company: Wilson founded her own candle brand, Burnt Wax, in 2021 — an entrepreneurial venture she has grown alongside her basketball career.
  • Overseas Play: During the 2018–2019 offseason, Wilson played in China’s WCBA for the Shaanxi Red Wolves. WCBA contracts for top WNBA stars have historically ranged from $300,000 to $600,000 per season, providing substantial supplemental income early in her career.

A’ja Wilson’s Personal Life

Wilson grew up in Hopkins, South Carolina, in a household shaped by basketball. Her father, Roscoe Wilson Jr., played college basketball at Benedict College and spent a decade playing professionally in Europe. Her mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, works as a court stenographer for the Richland County School District. Her older brother, Renaldo Wilson, also played professional basketball overseas and goes by the DJ name DJ Puff. Her parents married in 1992, and Wilson has described her family as a foundational source of discipline, faith, and motivation throughout her career.

Wilson is a practicing Christian; one of her grandfathers was a minister. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and serves on the WNBA Social Justice Council. In 2019, she established the A’ja Wilson Foundation, focused on anti-bullying initiatives and dyslexia education — the latter cause personal to her own experiences with the condition.

On the relationship front, Wilson is currently dating Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo. The two first sparked public attention in 2024 after being spotted together ahead of the Paris Olympics, where both competed for Team USA. Wilson confirmed the relationship in February 2025 during NBA All-Star Weekend while speaking to People magazine. She publicly called Adebayo her boyfriend in an April 2025 Cosmo Sports cover story, describing him as “an amazing boyfriend who really is my safe space.” Adebayo was present at the University of South Carolina’s jersey retirement ceremony for Wilson in February 2025, and he attended the 2025 WNBA Finals to celebrate her championship.

Wilson purchased a home in Las Vegas in 2022 for approximately $730,000, a four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom property that serves as her primary residence during the WNBA season. She has no children.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is A’ja Wilson’s net worth?

A’ja Wilson’s net worth is estimated at $4 million as of 2026. Her WNBA career earnings through 2025 total approximately $1.03 million per Spotrac. The bulk of her wealth comes from endorsement deals, most significantly her six-year Nike extension reported to be worth well over $20 million, along with multi-year deals with Gatorade, Ruffles, and Mountain Dew. As an unrestricted free agent in 2026, her next contract — under an anticipated improved CBA — could substantially increase her on-court earnings.

How old is A’ja Wilson?

A’ja Wilson is 29 years old as of March 2026. She was born on August 8, 1996, in Hopkins, South Carolina. Wilson turns 30 in August 2026 — a milestone she will reach while already holding the WNBA records for most total points and rebounds accumulated before age 30, per the AFRO American Newspapers.

How tall is A’ja Wilson?

A’ja Wilson stands 6 feet 4 inches tall (193 cm), per ESPN. USA Basketball lists her at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and 197 pounds. Her height, combined with her wingspan and footwork, makes her effective as both a center and forward. She wears No. 22 for the Las Vegas Aces — the same number she wore in high school and college.

Who is A’ja Wilson’s boyfriend?

A’ja Wilson is dating NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo, the power forward for the Miami Heat. The two were first linked publicly in the summer of 2024 ahead of the Paris Olympics, and Wilson confirmed the relationship in February 2025 during NBA All-Star Weekend, per People. She made it official publicly in an April 2025 Cosmo Sports cover story. As of March 2026, the two remain together — Adebayo was photographed with Wilson at a Miami Heat game on March 10, 2026.

What is A’ja Wilson’s family background?

A’ja Wilson comes from a basketball family. Her father, Roscoe Wilson Jr., played college ball at Benedict College and spent approximately 10 years playing professionally in Europe. Her mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, works as a court stenographer. Her older brother, Renaldo Wilson, also played professional basketball abroad, per Wikipedia. Wilson has no children. She founded the A’ja Wilson Foundation in 2019, which supports anti-bullying programs and dyslexia education initiatives rooted in her own experience with the learning condition.

What is A’ja Wilson’s WNBA salary and contract?

A’ja Wilson earned $200,000 in base salary during each of the 2024 and 2025 WNBA seasons under a two-year, $400,000 extension she signed with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023, per Spotrac. The deal is fully guaranteed. Wilson becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026 and is expected to be a primary beneficiary of any new CBA, which could raise the WNBA supermax salary significantly above the current level. Her total WNBA career earnings through 2025 stand at approximately $1,031,642. Her six-year Nike extension, announced in December 2024, is worth well over $20 million per ESPN, making it one of the richest shoe deals in women’s basketball history.

Where does A’ja Wilson live?

A’ja Wilson owns a home in Las Vegas, Nevada, purchased in 2022 for approximately $730,000. The property features four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms and serves as her primary residence during the WNBA season. Las Vegas has been Wilson’s professional home since she was drafted first overall by the Aces in 2018. During the offseason, Wilson has been seen in South Florida near her boyfriend Bam Adebayo, who plays for the Miami Heat.