In the middle of demanding schedules and cross-country travels, A'ja Wilson recently revealed how she and her boyfriend, Bam Adebayo, stay connected despite the distance.

Wilson did a sit-down interview with Vogue, which was published on 24 March. There, the 29-year-old shared a personal ritual she shares with Adebayo, where they each carry a small plush toy that reminds them of each other.

“This is Olly the octopus. This is something me and my boyfriend share because of the way our seasons are and sometimes overlap, and not always there for each other, we got each other these little squish mellows," Wilson said.

For two athletes in the WNBA and the NBA, time together can be a rare sight to see due to game schedules, offseason commitments, and long road trips. This simple gesture made by the couple helps bridge that gap.

“When we see them it reminds us of each other. I love it deeply. He’s my best friend, my right hand, my better half. He has one in his backpack as well.” The Las Vegas Aces superstar did not shy away from expressing her love for Adebayo.

Wilson and Adebayo's relationship has been well documented at this point. The two were first linked together during the 2024 Paris Olympics before Wilson officially confirmed the relationship in February 2025 after Bam was spotted wearing her signature sneakers during NBA All-Star weekend.

Much speculation has followed about whether the couple is ready to take the next step in their relationship. Well, Wilson’s latest comments about Adebayo have certainly turned heads.

A'ja Wilson Hints Next Chapter With Bam Adebayo

Wilson is one of the best WNBA players of all time with four WNBA MVPs, three WNBA championships, and two WNBA Finals MVPs. While the 29-year-old chases for more rings in the latter half of her career, there is one in particular that might be more on her priority list than others.

“I’m in love, but I also have to credit Bam because he loves me properly. I think that doesn’t get talked about a lot. He loves me on my days where I don’t know if I love myself, and he does it in a way that’s not love-bombing. It’s more, ‘What do you need?’ Granted, he’s attractive, yes. But the real reason is [that] he just knows how to love me properly. And my parents like him, so," Wilson said.

Wilson also said that she hopes she is not wasting her time when asked about marriage in a Time 2025 Athlete of the Year interview.

Meanwhile, Adebayo kept it simple while telling reporters that fans will know about a proposal because "people are nosy and they’ll look at her hands."

While the couple usually keeps things more private than public, Wilson's latest comments have suggested that their next chapter in life could come sooner than most think.

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Souvik Roy