Aces' A'ja Wilson Unanimously Selected 2018 WNBA Rookie Of The Year


NEW YORK, Sept. 9, 2018 – Las Vegas Aces forward/center A’ja Wilson has been unanimously selected the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year, the WNBA announced today.  She received all 39 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

Wilson averaged rookie highs of 20.7 points (tied for third in the WNBA), 8.0 rebounds (sixth) and 1.67 blocked shots (sixth) while starting every game that the Aces played in their inaugural season in Las Vegas.  She became the second rookie in WNBA history to average at least 20.0 points per game, joining Seimone Augustus (21.9 ppg in 2006).

The 6-4 Wilson shot a rookie-best 46.2 percent from the field and made 77.4 percent from the free throw line.  She also set WNBA rookie records for free throws made (192) and attempted (248) in a season.

A 2018 WNBA All-Star selection, Wilson swept all three WNBA Rookie of the Month awards this season.  She was also named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for July 2-8.  Behind Wilson, the Aces (14-20) improved their record by six games from the 2017 season.

Wilson scored in double figures in every appearance.  She recorded 30 or more points three times, highlighted by a career-high 35 points against the Indiana Fever on June 12.  She also registered 10 point-rebound double-doubles, including 25 points and a career-high 16 rebounds to go with six assists against the Seattle Storm on June 19.

The Aces selected Wilson with the No. 1 overall pick of WNBA Draft 2018 presented by State Farm after her standout career at the University of South Carolina, where she was a four-time All-America selection, three-time SEC Player of the Year and the 2017-18 consensus National Player of the Year.

Wilson follows former college teammate Allisha Gray of the Dallas Wings as the second consecutive South Carolina alum to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.

In honor of being named the 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Wilson will receive $5,000 and a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co.

Below is the list of WNBA Rookie of the Year winners.

WNBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2018                A’ja Wilson                     Las Vegas Aces

2017                Allisha Gray                            Dallas Wings

2016                Breanna Stewart                     Seattle Storm

2015                Jewell Loyd                            Seattle Storm

2014                Chiney Ogwumike                  Connecticut Sun

2013                Elena Delle Donne                  Chicago Sky

2012                Nneka Ogwumike                   Los Angeles Sparks

2011                Maya Moore                            Minnesota Lynx

2010                Tina Charles                            Connecticut Sun

2009                Angel McCoughtry                 Atlanta Dream

2008                Candace Parker                       Los Angeles Sparks

2007                Armintie Price                         Chicago Sky

2006                Seimone Augustus                  Minnesota Lynx

2005                Temeka Johnson                     Washington Mystics

2004                Diana Taurasi                          Phoenix Mercury

2003                Cheryl Ford                            Detroit Shock

2002                Tamika Catchings                   Indiana Fever

2001                Jackie Stiles                            Portland Fire

2000                Betty Lennox                          Minnesota Lynx

1999                Chamique Holdsclaw             Washington Mystics

1998                Tracy Reid                              Charlotte Sting

About the WNBA

The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league, which counts Verizon as its leaguewide marquee partner, began its 22nd playoffs on Aug. 21, 2018.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education.  For more information about the WNBA, visit WNBA.com.