Imago
Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41), center A’ja Wilson (22), guard Kelsey Plum (10) and guard Chelsea Gray (12) react against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Imago
Jul 5, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41), center A’ja Wilson (22), guard Kelsey Plum (10) and guard Chelsea Gray (12) react against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
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.
Top Stories
But it so happens that the comment has been deleted for an unknown reason now and Wilson wanted to make sure her clarification wasn’t lost. Hence, “Idk what happened to the comment but just posting this cause when videos go ‘re-viral’… my DMs get flooded with foolishness… so pls let’s set the record straight 🙂↕️,” she shared on Threads this Wednesday.
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.
USA Today via Reuters
Credits : USA Today Network via Imagn
“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.
Despite facts and her own experiences, A’ja Wilson falls prey to critics
Kelsey Plum has been one to openly acknowledge her privilege, especially during the Black Lives Matter movement. “I know I will never be able to fully understand or feel the racial injustices Black people face, but silence is a form of racism,” she stated back in 2020.
Not only that, but she also partnered with Under Armour, highlighting Black History Month initiatives. Similarly, Paige Bueckers made waves in 2021 when she used her ESPYS acceptance speech to advocate for Black women, recognizing their contributions. For Bueckers, these issues are even more personal—her half-brother is Black.
So, what went wrong? The backlash against Wilson stemmed from a misunderstanding of what she meant. Still, she’s not going to let the noise get to her. As she said herself: “We good over here.” And that’s all that matters.
Written by
Edited by
Shivatmika Manvi