As the WNBA's influence grows, even children of NBA Hall of Famers are looking towards the W for inspiration.

Anyone would expect Carmelo Anthony to be his daughter's icon, but her idol is none other than A'ja Wilson.

Melo shared on the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast that he hosts.“My daughter looks up to A’ja Wilson … she’s the face of women’s sports.”

But the Las Vegas Aces center had more praise coming her way

The podcast, described as 'a destination for sports, culture and hoops', has its own awards segment called the 7PMMYs.

The conversation started with the 7 PM Athlete of the Year award, and Melo was quick to pull up two options. "A'ja and Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander]. It's between those two".

Guest star Kevin Fredericks (Kevin Onstage) weighed in "A’ja Wilson my personal favorite GOAT. If A'ja retired right now, her trophy case is up there. 4 MVPs".

"We haven't seen what she can do in a long time. She's doing what Candace [Parker] was doing. She's adding s*** that only certain people have. The jab shots, the fadeaways, " Carmelo Anthony reasoned and Kevin Fredericks added "the drop pivot with the left".

"For all those reasons" Kazeem Famuyide announced, "A’ja Wilson is our 7PM Athele of the Year".

It was only fair that Time Magazine's Athele of The Year won this award too.

Nominees for the 7PM Person of the year were Carmelo Anthony, Kendrick Lamar, A’ja Wilson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ryan Coogler, Terence Crawford, Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan.

"I'm doubling up on A’ja Wilson. She deserves it. I just think the resume that she's putting together. Her voice is powerful, it's impactful.

A'ja Wilson is having that impact on and off-court

She stamped her flag. LeBron James comprehends being in that role. A’ja is that type of impact when it comes to women's game and being the face of women’s sports. For so long we had Serena [Williams]. Now we have A'ja", Carmelo Anthony said while giving his final word.

Whether it be the launch of her book "Dear Black Girls", being Associated Press' Female Athlete of the Year or getting inducted in South Carolina Gamecocks Hall of Fame, 2025 was A’ja Wilson’s year.

Do you think she can defend her MVP and championship ring for the 2026 season?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu