A’ja Wilson, the WNBA superstar who has single-handedly redefined the concept of “carrying a team on your back,” has once again proven she’s more than just a powerhouse on the court. Fresh off her back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023, and an Olympic gold medal in Paris, Wilson has declared the WNBA schedule the most grueling in professional sports. Move over Ironman triathletes, the WNBA is here to flex.
Appearing on The Roommates Show, Wilson was asked by New York Knicks forward Josh Hart whether WNBA players have the most strenuous careers. Without missing a beat, she dropped a candid “Yeah, for sure,” sparking a debate that could probably fill Madison Square Garden.
Wilson, ever the eloquent advocate, didn’t just make her case—she went full courtroom drama. Recounting her rookie-year baptism by fire, she said:
“I got drafted, went straight into training camp, then rushed back to college to walk at graduation. Before I could even breathe, I was in my first preseason game. Jackie Young had to find her draft dress in a single day! I mean, seriously? One of the biggest nights of our lives, and it’s like, ‘Oh, hey, no time to celebrate—get back to work.’”
If this sounds like a fever dream of deadlines, you’re not wrong. But wait, there’s more. Wilson pointed out the Olympic chaos.
“This year, we had six Olympians on our team. Half our roster is gone while other teams? Oh, they’re chilling on a beach somewhere. Must be nice, right?”
Cue the collective nods of exhausted agreement from players across the league.
The Great Schedule Debate
While Wilson’s frustrations are valid—seriously, who plans these schedules?—her claim does open the floor to comparisons. For instance, the Women’s Super League (WSL) in soccer runs a marathon of a season from September through May, juggling domestic leagues and international obligations. In contrast, the WNBA’s 2024 season spanned from May to October, giving players a three-month off-season to—oh wait, that’s right—train for international competitions.
Still, it’s hard to argue with Wilson’s numbers. Wrapping her 2024 campaign with jaw-dropping stats of 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, the 28-year-old MVP is playing like she has the cheat codes activated.
What’s Next for A’ja?
With her season officially in the rearview mirror and no immediate Team USA obligations, Wilson can theoretically take a breather. But knowing A’ja, she’ll probably spend her “downtime” perfecting her already unstoppable game.
For now, though, she’s left us with a spicy soundbite that’ll keep the sports world buzzing until the 2025 WNBA season tips off in April. One thing’s for sure: when A’ja Wilson speaks, the world listens—even if some of us are still catching our breath from just hearing her schedule.
So, is the WNBA schedule truly the toughest in sports? If A’ja Wilson says it is, who are we to argue? After all, she’s the one living it—while dropping MVP numbers like they’re free samples.
