NBA

Bam Adebayo Kept Secret as A’ja Wilson Secures Fifth WNBA MVP Award

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 9, 2026, 10:52 IST

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has been named WNBA MVP for the fifth time in her career, with Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo revealing he kept the voting results a secret before the official announcement.

Bam Adebayo Kept Secret as A’ja Wilson Secures Fifth WNBA MVP Award

Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson has officially been crowned the WNBA’s Most Valuable Player for the fifth time in her career. While the basketball world celebrated the announcement on Thursday, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo revealed he had been privy to the news well in advance, successfully keeping the result a secret from his partner.

Adebayo, who has been in a relationship with the WNBA standout for several years, was approached last week to record a congratulatory message regarding the accolade. This request placed the Heat star in the position of knowing the voting outcome before it was made public, requiring him to maintain discretion until the official reveal.

A Legacy of Dominance on the Court

The achievement marks a significant milestone in Wilson’s professional journey, which began after the two athletes formed a close bond while representing USA Basketball at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Since entering the league, Wilson has established herself as a consistent force, securing five MVP titles across her nine seasons. Her statistical impact is profound, as she has garnered 274 first-place MVP votes throughout her career, surpassing the combined total of 233 first-place votes received by all other WNBA players during that same timeframe.

Beyond her MVP honors, Wilson is an eight-time All-Star and currently holds the highest career scoring average in WNBA history at 22.1 points per game. Her trajectory in MVP voting has been remarkable, moving from a seventh-place tie in her debut season to securing the top spot in five of her last seven campaigns. Adebayo, speaking after the Heat’s 128-118 preseason victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, expressed his admiration for her sustained excellence.

Mutual Support Between Basketball Stars

Adebayo emphasized the importance of celebrating such accomplishments, noting that it is difficult to find the words to describe the magnitude of five MVP awards. The couple frequently supports one another’s professional endeavors, with Adebayo often seen at Aces games and Wilson attending Heat contests during the WNBA offseason. Their mutual encouragement remains a cornerstone of their relationship, with Adebayo highlighting their shared commitment to reminding each other of their capabilities.

The pair’s connection has been marked by high-level performances on both sides, including Wilson’s presence in Miami last season when Adebayo recorded an 83-point game, which stands as the second-highest single-game scoring performance in NBA history. As Wilson adds another trophy to their shared home, Adebayo noted that he looked forward to celebrating the moment with her directly.