A’ja Wilson, the emotional dynamo of Team USA, is known for her high-energy antics on the court. Whether she’s celebrating a teammate’s stellar pass or hyping herself up after a slam-dunk block, Wilson’s passion is her secret sauce. But, it turns out, not everyone appreciates her zestful displays.
In the U.S. triumph over Belgium on Thursday night, one of the game officials approached Wilson with some unsolicited advice: “Tone it down.”
“I need to get my emotions in check?” Wilson recounted with a laugh. “That’s like telling a fish to stop swimming. How are you going to tell me I can’t show passion at my job? So, I kept my cool by staying true to myself. I’m not about to turn into a robot just because someone with a whistle thinks I should.”
Wilson, undeterred and unfiltered, plans to bring the same fiery spirit when the U.S. faces Germany on Sunday. Both teams are 2-0, eyeing the top spot in their group, with quarterfinals looming large.
“I’m not going to let some defender think they’ve stopped me,” she declared. “I’m going to keep yelling, screaming, fussing, and maybe even a little cussing. That’s my game. To that ref, well, you do you, and I’ll do me.”
The tension arose after the official, apparently inspired by a sudden bout of nostalgia for quieter times, reviewed a play and decided Wilson’s emotional outbursts needed taming.
“I’m not telling you how to blow your whistle,” Wilson quipped, “so don’t tell me how to play my game.”
Averaging a staggering 23.5 points and 13 rebounds per game, Wilson’s performance is nothing short of electrifying. And she wasn’t alone in her exuberance against Belgium. The match, witnessed by a roaring crowd of over 25,000 mostly Belgian fans, saw even the usually calm Breanna Stewart break character with a triumphant block celebration. Sabrina Ionescu added to the theatrics, silencing the crowd with a dramatic shush after sinking a late 3-pointer.
“Knowing we were outnumbered in the crowd just made us want to fire up even more,” Stewart said. “We won a game, but that’s just the beginning. We’re playing with passion and having fun, and that’s what counts.”
The Americans, basking in their 57th consecutive Olympic victory, are more fired up than ever. Wilson’s emotional display is just a testament to the intense passion driving Team USA forward. As they gear up for their next challenge against Germany, one thing is certain: A’ja Wilson’s fiery spirit isn’t dimming anytime soon.
