Aces' A'ja Wilson answers the question everyone's asking about Bam Adebayo relationship

Jeremy Beren

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Aces' A'ja Wilson answers the question everyone's asking about Bam Adebayo relationship image

Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

A'ja Wilson on Tuesday was named Time magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2025.

The historic accolade comes after Wilson enjoyed another sterling season for the Las Vegas Aces. She became the WNBA's first four-time MVP, and she shared Defensive Player of the Year honors with Minnesota's Alanna Smith.

But Wilson's 2025 season was validating for another reason: after a 14-14 start, she led the Aces on a 16-game winning streak and an eventual sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals, after which she was named Finals MVP upon claiming her third championship.

This year also saw Wilson deepen her relationship with Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo -- and everyone, including Wilson's former head coach Dawn Staley, wants to know when the two of them are going to tie the knot.

"That’s the question I need you to deliver to him!" Wilson told Time's Sean Gregory. "I hope I’m not wasting my time. I hope he’s not wasting his time."

Wilson and Adebayo have been dating since 2021, and she explained that their "dream" is to start a family -- but there's no rush, with both players in the primes of their careers.

"This is my life partner," Wilson said. "Honestly, what on earth was my world before you? That’s how much he’s impacted my life, my family’s life."

Adebayo, a three-time NBA All-Star, didn't put a timeline on anything either, but told Time that he shares Wilson's goals, and he loves the way they empower one another.

"As the young people say, that’s ‘twin,’" he said. "That’s what makes it so great. We’re striving for the same thing. We want each other to be better. We want to make it easier on one another, and we want to do this together. She’s a strong Black woman, man, and she does it with so much grace and positivity."

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Staff Writer