With the 2025 WNBA regular season barreling toward its conclusion, the race for the league’s Most Valuable Player award is shaping up to be one of the most hotly debated in recent memory. At the center of the storm stands a familiar duo: Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson and her former college coach, the indomitable Dawn Staley. Their bond, forged at South Carolina, is now fueling both celebration and controversy as Staley takes to social media to champion Wilson’s MVP credentials.
Staley, a legendary figure in women’s basketball for the past four decades, is no stranger to the spotlight. Her playing days saw her dominate the WNBA as a six-time All-Star, all while guiding Temple University to five NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach. But it’s her tenure at South Carolina, beginning in 2008, that’s truly cemented her legacy. Over the past 17 years, she’s transformed the Gamecocks into a national powerhouse, racking up 14 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and three national championships. Along the way, she’s mentored a host of future WNBA stars—none more decorated than A’ja Wilson.
Wilson’s college career from 2015 to 2018 was nothing short of historic. She led the Gamecocks to a national title in 2017, swept the Wooden and Naismith awards, and took home the Wade Trophy, as well as both AP and USWBA National Player of the Year honors. A four-time All-American and three-time SEC Player of the Year, Wilson left South Carolina with a legacy that’s yet to be matched. It’s little wonder, then, that Staley remains fiercely loyal to her former star.
As the 2025 WNBA season winds down, the MVP race has become a three-way battle between Wilson, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, and Phoenix Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas. Collier, who was the clear frontrunner at midseason, missed several weeks with injury, allowing Wilson and Thomas to close the gap. Thomas, meanwhile, is flirting with a season-long triple-double—a feat that would all but guarantee MVP honors in most years. But it’s Wilson, powering the Aces through a blistering 14-game winning streak, who has seized the spotlight down the stretch.
Wilson’s numbers during this stretch are staggering: she’s averaged 27.4 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, while her season averages stand at 23.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. The Aces, buoyed by her dominance, have become the league’s hottest team at precisely the right time. For Staley, there’s no question who deserves the hardware.
On September 8, 2025, Staley took to X (formerly Twitter) to make her MVP pick crystal clear. "As we wind down the @WNBA season, just would like to thank all the talented women who gave us a season of all seasons. If there’s truly no funny stuff in the air @_ajawilson22 really is the MVP. I’m biased but the historical numbers and run their on aren’t," she wrote. The message was equal parts gratitude for the league’s stars and a pointed endorsement of Wilson’s candidacy, with a hint of suspicion that any other outcome would be suspect.
If anyone doubted Staley’s passion, her follow-up left no room for ambiguity. When criticism poured in—some fans questioning whether a college coach should publicly lobby for professional awards, others accusing her of bias—Staley doubled down. Sharing a negative reply, she posted simply: "block incoming!" Her stance was clear: she would defend her former player, critics be damned.
Staley’s public loyalty isn’t limited to Wilson. Throughout the 2025 WNBA season, she’s used her social media platform to praise a host of former Gamecocks, including Aliyah Boston and Bree Hall. Following the Indiana Fever’s emphatic 94-65 win over the Washington Mystics, Staley celebrated Boston’s near triple-double and Hall’s strong performance, writing, “I see you @breezyhalll!! I see you @aa_boston will the near triple double!!! On 3…..you say GAME I say COCK! @GamecockWBB.”
But it’s her unwavering support for Wilson that’s caused the biggest stir. Fans on social media have not held back. Some argued that Staley’s comments crossed a line, suggesting that her hints of "funny stuff" undermined the legitimacy of other MVP candidates. One user noted, “Trying to imply that if anyone else wins they didn’t deserve it is just nasty.” Others called out her self-professed bias, with replies like “Very bias! Check out Collier for the first place, Lynx!” and “Yes you are biased and it shows.” The debate has even drawn comparisons to how other prominent coaches might be treated in similar circumstances, with one fan remarking, “Can you imagine the outrage if Geno was actively promoting Phee on social media and national television and implying that if anyone but Phee gets MVP, it’s somehow ‘fixed’.”
Despite the criticism, Staley remains unapologetic. Her relationship with Wilson is built on years of mutual respect and shared success, both at South Carolina and as members of Team USA. Wilson, now in her eighth professional season and chasing what would be her fourth WNBA MVP award, has become the standard-bearer for excellence in the league—a journey that began under Staley’s tutelage.
Of course, the MVP debate is far from settled. Collier, despite her injury absence, remains a statistical force and the leader of the league’s top-seeded Lynx. Thomas’s near triple-double campaign is rewriting the record books and has won her a legion of supporters. The voting period promises to be contentious, with every candidate boasting a compelling case and a passionate fan base.
Staley’s advocacy for Wilson is, in many ways, emblematic of her approach to coaching and mentorship. She has never shied away from controversy or criticism, preferring instead to speak her mind and stand by her players. Whether her public lobbying will influence MVP voters remains to be seen, but it’s clear that her voice has added fuel to an already fiery discussion.
As the WNBA regular season enters its final days, the league’s stars continue to deliver jaw-dropping performances and headline-grabbing moments. The MVP race, with all its twists and turns, has become a microcosm of the league’s growing profile and the passionate debates that drive women’s basketball forward. With Dawn Staley in Wilson’s corner, the conversation is sure to remain lively right up until the final votes are tallied.
One thing’s for certain: no matter who ultimately claims the 2025 WNBA MVP award, the journey there will be remembered for its intensity, its drama, and the unwavering loyalty of one legendary coach to her former star.
