After being named Time’s Athlete of the Year for 2025, WNBA star A’ja Wilson expressed concern that Caitlin Clark’s rise in 2024 might overshadow the rich history of women’s basketball.

Wilson has previously questioned the actual impact of Clark’s entrance into the league on the sport’s development. Following her own recognition by Time, Wilson did not shy away from revisiting those sentiments.

This issue has been on Wilson’s mind for some time. The 29-year-old, who boasts two Olympic gold medals and celebrated her third WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces this year, spoke out in May 2024. She suggested that the overwhelming attention on Clark, a player for the Indiana Fever, seemed to marginalize the contributions of Black athletes who have long shaped the league.

“It wasn’t a personal attack on me because I’m secure in my achievements,” she told Time, discussing Clark’s rapid ascent in the WNBA. “I’m set to win MVPs and gold medals; my record speaks for itself. It’s more about preserving the legacy. Let’s not forget the history.”

“For a moment, it felt like it was being erased, and I dislike that,” she continued. “There are countless women who have endured incredible challenges to elevate the league to its current stature.”

Clark’s entrance to the WNBA saw her repeatedlty targeted with aggressive play. Much of it was fair game, but some it wasn’t – notably when Chennedy Carter, then of the Chicago Sky, bodychecked her from behind when Clark was stood still, waiting for a break in play to end.

WNBA champion A’ja Wilson has been named Time’s athlete of the year for 2025

Wilson has been a staunch critic in the past about the emergence of Caitlin Clark

To many, the arrival of Clark in 2024 with Indiana Fever bought new interest into the league

WNBA viewership increased in 2025 from 2024, despite Clark missing the vast majority of the season with injury. 

While the article says Wilson, one of the true greats of women’s basketball, was not glad that Clark was hurt, the Aces star was thrilled to see fans stick around without Clark playing.

‘Sometimes you need a proof in the pudding,’ Wilson said. ‘The biggest thing for us, and why I was so happy, is that we continue to rise to the occasion. This was just a matter of time for us to really bloom and blossom.’

In that May 2024 interview with Associated Press, Wilson spoke of an unquestionably difficult racially divise narrative that was following the early days of Clark’s success.

‘I think it’s a huge thing. I think a lot of people may say it’s not about black and white, but to me, it is,’ Wilson told AP about her view of Clark’s popularity, amid the fact Clark had signed two big endorsement deals in her rookie year.

‘You can be top notch at what you are as a black woman, but yet maybe that’s something that people don’t want to see. They don’t see it as marketable, so it doesn’t matter how hard I work. 

‘It doesn’t matter what we all do as black women, we’re still going to be swept underneath the rug. That’s why it boils my blood when people say it’s not about race because it is.’

Last year, when Clark won the Time honor that Wilson now has to her name, she accepted that white privilige has helped her build her status.

Clark missed the majority of her second season with the Fever due to injury problems

Wilson, meanwhile, helped lead the Las Vegas Aces to what was her third championship title

‘I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,’ Clark said.

‘A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. 

‘I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.’