A’ja Wilson Receives King Center’s 2027 Youth Influencer Award 

The King Center announced Wednesday that Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson will receive its 2027 Beloved Community Youth Influencer Award.

In a statement posted to social media, the King Center said that Wilson received the award in recognition of her work through the A’ja Wilson Foundation. Wilson’s foundation focuses on helping young girls with dyslexia build confidence and navigate their mental health struggles.

“The BELOVED COMMUNITY YOUTH INFLUENCER AWARD recognizes individuals whose influence helps inspire, shape, and advance a more just, humane, equitable, and peaceful world for the next generation. To be a champion for humanity is to recognize that our influence is bigger than our accomplishments,” the King Center said in its statement. “And when it comes to being an #MVP for #youth, A’ja Wilson is showing us what that looks like.”

“Through the A’ja Wilson Foundation, A’ja is helping young people, particularly young girls navigating dyslexia and other challenges, recognize their worth, develop confidence, overcome stigma, and understand that their challenges do not define their possibilities.”

The announcement comes after an Indiana Fever fan antagonized Wilson during a playoff game on Tuesday. According to Yahoo Sports, Wilson was trying to get through a screen set by Sophie Cunningham when the two tangled up and Cunningham went to the ground. A foul was called on Wilson, and a male Fever fan began walking toward Wilson, pointing his finger while saying something. 

A’ja walked toward the fan, who was subsequently pulled back into his seat by his female companion. Wilson was surrounded by teammates and Aces staff and pulled away. The fan was initially taken out of the arena, but was later allowed to return to the game with no consequence.

In a statement, the Indiana Fever said, “Following a report of a comment directed toward a player, arena security spoke with the fan involved and witnesses. Security determined there was no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct, the fan was not removed from the arena. We consider the matter closed.” 

“I’ve never seen A’ja Wilson go like that,” Aces head coach Becky Hammon said after their 99-89 loss. “So whatever was done, I can tell you she felt very disrespected in that moment. I’ve never seen her really react like that, ever.”

It’s still unclear what the man said, but Wilson told reporters after the incident that his demeanor and the way he tried to approach her set her off. 

“If I see a man come at me, taking steps towards me and pointing at me, I don’t give a damn what you said. I don’t give a damn how you said it, the tone. That is unacceptable. You don’t step towards me … and point at me. I’m not for that s—,” Wilson told reporters.

Thanks to the conduct of Cunningham and Caitlin Clark, the Indiana Fever has attracted a…combative and deeply weird fanbase, to put it politely. 

Fans speculated that the King Center intended to announce Wilson’s award after the playoffs but moved it up to distract from the foolishness, and the King Center confirmed it. Bernice King, Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, commented on the disrespect Wilson faced during the game. 

“What Black women are feeling after watching what happened during that game is real. Many of us have experienced moments of disrespect like that. A hard moment in the midst of an already tense atmosphere vibrating with undertones that are being swept under the rug,” King wrote after the incident occurred. 

It’s a shame that Wilson had to endure disrespect during one of the most pivotal games in the postseason, but I hope the news of this award gives her some much-needed positivity as she heads into game three. 

While Fever fans will always be weird, at least Wilson can rest easy knowing her signature shoe absolutely demolishes Caitlin Clark’s, which somehow managed to translate the experience of eating unseasoned chicken into a shoe.

SEE ALSO:

The WNBA Has An Obvious Choice For MVP In 2026: A’ja Wilson [Op-Ed]

Linda Cohn, A’ja Wilson, And Caitlin Clark’s Mediocrity [Op-Ed]