A'ja Wilson's whirlwind 2018 keeps on whirling: college player of the year, WNBA No. 1 draft pick and now unanimous choice for WNBA Rookie of the Year.
Wilson, the former South Carolina star chosen first by the Las Vegas Aces, got all 39 votes from a media panel. She follows former Gamecocks teammate Allisha Gray of Dallas as Rookie of the Year.
"It means a lot with that rookie class,'' Wilson said. "There are so many great players.''
Wilson's first season in the WNBA was one of the best by a rookie in history. She averaged 20.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.67 blocked shots for the Aces, who went 14-20. Wilson's scoring average was second all time by a WNBA rookie, after Seimone Augustus' 21.9 PPG in 2006.
Wilson scored in double figures every game, and her 46.2 shooting percentage is the best by a WNBA rookie.
"Everyone in America knows she was rookie of the year,'' Wilson's former coach Dawn Staley said.
Wilson is currently playing with the U.S. national team in its exhibitions before the FIBA World Cup later this month. On Saturday, she had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Americans' 74-68 victory over Canada.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.