A’ja Wilson debuted today for the Las Vegas Sparks. It was a mixed result for the number one pick.
Today on debut A’ja Wilson played on a team which was outmatched by one of the best teams in the WNBA, the Connecticut Sun.
There were points today where Wilson looked like a rookie. She collected a rebound and started to bring the ball up court. In college she would have been able to do this with ease as there are less heads up players. Today, a Sun player came from behind and stole the ball, giving Wilson a lesson on the pace of the WNBA.
However, a player like Wilson will learn from this play. She has now experienced the professional pace of the game and will not make the same mistake again.
However, Wilson also did some incredibly impressive things. She collected a double-double against Chiney Ogwumilke and Jonquel Jones. That just shows how impressive Wilson is going to be once she finds her feet.
She did not shoot well, going 3-of-13 but when you are against some of the best players in the world in your first game without four stars, this can only be expected. Where Wilson showed her class is she made sure she went hard at the opposition, getting to the line ten times, making eight of them.
Defensively Wilson was solid. She collected two steals and two blocks. This is incredible for a first game in a professional league. There is plenty to build upon for Wilson, particulalry when she will have the pressure taken off her when Kayla McBride, Kelsey Plum, Moriah Jefferson and Isabelle Harrison return for the Aces.
The future is bright for Wilson and it will be interesting to watch how she grows this season. She will have a tremendous career, the Aces will be able to team her up with the returning stars to make life tough for opposition teams this season.