Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, celebrated for her championships, MVPs, and Olympic gold medals, recently created an emotional moment by fulfilling a young superfan’s wish.
The wish of four-year-old dedicated fan Iman Taylor, who was about to turn five, was to meet basketball star Wilson. The surprise occurred during a segment on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” where the host arranged the meeting.
Iman thought he was just there to chat about his favorite basketball player. What he didn’t know was that his idol was waiting backstage, ready to surprise him for his upcoming fifth birthday, as reported by BET.
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The heartwarming encounter, which quickly went viral, saw WNBA star Wilson stun the crowd when she appeared backstage. Four-year-old superfan Iman immediately sprinted to hug her, bringing his mother, Bianca Taylor, to tears.
Wilson celebrated the moment by gifting Iman a signed jersey and a pair of her signature A’One sneakers, telling him she wanted him to “remember this moment every time he laces them up.”
Beyond a simple surprise, the emotional exchange was celebrated by fans as one of Wilson’s most heartwarming “assists” yet.
The impact of Las Vegas Aces star Wilson—a four-time MVP and two-time WNBA champion—clearly goes beyond the basketball court. Wilson frequently engages with her fanbase, consistently putting fans in the spotlight. Whether at home in Las Vegas or in an opponent’s arena, fans regularly queue up to get the three-time MVP’s autograph or a picture with her.
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For instance, Wilson recently teamed up with AT&T to deliver an unforgettable fan experience. Through the “Beyond the Bleachers” program, AT&T facilitates exclusive, off-court interactions between WNBA fans and their favorite All-Stars.
Wilson told NBC Sports, “I love my partnership with AT&T and the Beyond the Bleachers aspect of it because I think it gives the fans a deeper connection on what we do in our everyday lives. I think when they see us on court, obviously, we make things look easy, and you tend to forget that we are still human. I think with this partnership with AT&T and bringing in fans and welcoming [them] into our own space, it just gives a deeper connection that I really, really love. I think when I meet fans and interact with them, I want them to understand how real I am, how real we all are, and the similarities that we have. So, I love this. It gives me an opportunity just to kind of kick it with fans that I wouldn’t every single day and show them my appreciation of always supporting me.”
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