Bam Adebayo’s postgame plans changed the moment the Miami Heat finished their 128-118 preseason win over New Orleans on Thursday night: get home, get on FaceTime and celebrate A’ja Wilson’s fifth WNBA MVP award.
Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces centerpiece and Adebayo’s longtime partner, learned Thursday that she had again been voted the league’s Most Valuable Player. Adebayo had known the result for about a week after being asked to record a message about her award, leaving him to protect the surprise.
“I had nothing to do with that,” Adebayo said, smiling at the idea that the household’s five MVP trophies belong entirely to Wilson.
A fifth MVP joins the home collection
- Wilson and Adebayo first grew close while with USA Basketball around the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
- The relationship developed from that friendship, with Adebayo attending Aces games when the Heat schedule permits and Wilson regularly showing up for Miami games during the WNBA offseason.
- Last week, Adebayo was asked to share thoughts for Wilson’s MVP presentation, which told him the result before she had been informed.
- Thursday brought the formal announcement, confirming Wilson as a five-time MVP in only nine WNBA seasons.
- Later that night, Adebayo helped Miami handle New Orleans in preseason play and said he was eager to connect with Wilson after the final horn.
“It’s good to celebrate somebody that honestly deserves it,” Adebayo said. “You really can’t put five MVPs into words. You literally just have to sit there and just admire greatness. So, yeah, can’t wait to get home, get on FaceTime and talk about the moment.”
Wilson’s vote share tells the story
Wilson’s hold on the MVP conversation has been overwhelming since entering the league. She has collected 274 first-place votes across nine seasons, more than every other WNBA player combined over that same span; the rest of the field has totaled 233.
| Career marker | Wilson’s record |
|---|---|
| WNBA seasons | 9 |
| MVP awards | 5 |
| First-place MVP votes | 274 |
| Share of first-place votes in her career span | 54% |
| All-Star selections | 8 |
| Career scoring average | 22.1 points per game, highest in WNBA history |
Her MVP finishes have followed an unusual early-to-absolute-control arc. Wilson placed seventh as a rookie, then eighth the following year. In the seven seasons since, her finishes have been first, sixth, first, third, first, first and first.
Wilson was also in Miami last season for Adebayo’s 83-point night, the second-highest individual scoring game in NBA history. The two have been present for each other’s biggest stages, even when their seasons and travel demands pull in different directions.
“I try to do my best to remind her of who she is, and vice versa,” Adebayo said. “When you have those types of moments, those need to be celebrated.”
