If there’s one thing A’ja Wilson has learned about being in the spotlight, it’s that the internet never forgets. It all started way back during the playoffs when the Aces were in full crisis mode. Las Vegas was headed back home, trailing the New York Liberty 0-2 in the WNBA semifinals. The last thing they needed was more drama—but then, a clip with the 3-time MVP giving her honest opinion about Kelsey Plum and Paige Bueckers made its round.
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It was the use of the word ‘privilege’ that caught people’s attention and the chatter soared. But Wilson was there to make clear her intentions. And then again in case anyone missed out.
“I’m sorry about that, I was really just sharing with KP how I appreciate her and Paige openly uplifting Black women in spaces or places where we aren’t seen or heard, and I know it takes a lot for them to do that, but it was overlooked because people hear the word ‘privilege,’ and that’s unfortunate. But we shall continue to grow,” the 2024 MVP had left a comment after the clip surfaced.
Originally, as Wilson mentioned, remark from the clip was a compliment. She simply compared Bueckers to Plum, saying that both recognize the advantages they’ve had in their careers due to their racial backgrounds.
“Us, as Black women, Paige reminds me a lot of you. Like, if you say, ‘It’s not really about me.’ She knows. And she knows how her privilege has gotten her to that point. And also, she’s good at basketball, obviously. Like, she understands her privilege. It’s like what pushes her over the top in a sense. It reminds me a lot of you. And I mean, that’s a compliment,” Wilson stated in the clip.
The Aces icon has been open about the discrimination she has faced as a kid and the consequences it has had. In her book, Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You, she shares stories from her own life and how she was able to overcome the obstacles. A 10-year-old A’ja who wasn’t allowed to share a room during sleepover has grown to make space in the world notably. So watching the support in fellow basketball players seemed to have only ignited the appreciation.
