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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 19: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after scoring a basket and getting a foul call against the Atlanta Dream during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 19, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Dream defeated the Aces 92-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 19: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts after scoring a basket and getting a foul call against the Atlanta Dream during their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on July 19, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Dream defeated the Aces 92-76. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ever since being selected as the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, A’ja Wilson has successfully established herself as a dominant force. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist’s 27.1 PPG is the highest across the women’s league. However, her journey from a tough childhood to becoming an Aces superstar wasn’t easy. It was these obstacles that led to a unique discovery by Wilson.
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Every time she felt stuck, she found that writing letters to herself was extremely beneficial. For her, it was a significant evolution, a necessity while growing up. “You’re not always loved and liked,” she revealed the brutal reality. It was her writing exercise that gave her the secret sauce to success. “If you’re true to yourself, you can be very successful,” she added, hoping to inspire young girls.
A'ja Wilson opens up about how hard it is to win in the WNBA — even as back to back champs — being real, her book and more in Friday night's pregame feature on ION: pic.twitter.com/LplDsTdgZq
— Lyndsey D'Arcangelo 🏀 (@darcangel21) August 29, 2024
According to her, sometimes people have to go through “trauma” to understand others, but it’s essential to execute plans. “It’s really, really hard… I want to be the best human because that’s how I get the best out of my team,” she revealed. For her, it’s the pressure that makes her stand out. “It can either make or break you.”
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So, she ensures that every single time, pressure leaves a positive impact on her. Even if she’s not willing to get out of bed, she does so for the young girls who look up to her. And that’s how back-to-back WNBA championship titles are claimed. But did you know Wilson’s WNBA experience isn’t her worst encounter with the hardships of the world?
It was A’ja Wilson’s dyslexia
For her, it was her early school years. Growing up, Wilson struggled with reading. Every time she was called to read aloud to the class, she felt dread. “It’s not that I flat-out couldn’t read. I definitely could… But I didn’t always comprehend what I was reading… I’d get so mixed up.” People around her always said, “You’re just being lazy, A’ja. You need to try harder.”
And that was the thing—she was really trying but couldn’t get it. It made more sense to people when she was diagnosed with dyslexia in her sophomore year of high school. Since then, it took many more years to accept it and let others know about it. Her healing process actually began during her collegiate years.
Her coach, Dawn Staley, opened up fully and often asked her to read Bible passages in the locker room before every game. It did wonders for her. She was now more confident than ever, especially as a person with learning differences. Since then, she has never looked back and has been ready for the upcoming challenges. This helped her achieve the success she now holds just six years into the league.
Written by
Edited by
Ananya Giri