WNBA superstar A'ja Wilson's historic season is eerily similar to an NBA icon's peak

WNBA superstar A'ja Wilson's historic season has put her in the spotlight and led to a comparison to an NBA great. Wilson is currently on pace to shatter the WNBA's single-season scoring record by averaging 27.3 points, two points more than the previous record set by Diana Taurasi. 

Wilson has already set the WNBA record for most total points in a season and has eclipsed the previous total rebounding mark of 404, though rookie Angel Reese has also surpassed that mark. That dominance as a scorer, rebounder, and defensive player is reminiscent of a prime Shaquille O'Neal.

Around the same point in his career, Shaq was leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the final championship of their three-peat in the early 2000s. Wilson is poised to do the same with her Las Vegas Aces, with her leading the two-time defending champions on their way back to the playoffs.

WNBA superstar A'ja Wilson's historic season for the Las Vegas Aces is eerily similar to Shaquille O'Neal's peak. 

During the 2001-02 season, Shaq put up a stellar 27.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. That is earily similar to the 27.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks Wilson is averaging for the Aces this season. 

Ironically, her strong season has been somewhat lost in the media coverage surrounding rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Fortunately for Wilson, with the postseason just days away, she will soon have all eyes on her as the Aces try for the third straight championship.

Winning a third championship would put Wilson on the shortlist for the greatest WNBA player ever and cap a dominant season. Then again, she is already well on her way with two league Most Valuable Player awards, a WNBA Finals MVP, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and four All-WNBA first-team selections. 

She is currently the favorite to win a third league MVP, and ESPN has her as a contender to win her third Defensive Player of the Year award, which would all occur shortly after she turns 28 years old. Even Shaq, during his peak, only won one MVP and was a good but not great defensive player, putting Wilson into a category of her own.