Aces Star A'ja Wilson Reveals Which Kobe Bryant Quote She Uses for Motivation

Patrick Andres | Jul 29, 2024

Sep 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson (22) walks off the court after the Aces victory over the Dallas Wings during game three of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In seven years in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson has done it all. She has two MVP awards, two championships, and six All-Star appearances—to go with her four All-America accolades at South Carolina and three gold medals in FIBA play.

What makes her truly great, however, is the fact that she seems unsatisfied with these accolades. On Monday, Wilson discussed her drive for greatness with Megan Armstrong for Uproxx—and the quote from Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant motivating her this season.

"It’s actually my phone’s screensaver. Kobe said, 'Rest at the end, not in the middle,'" Wilson said. "And that is something that I really approached this year with."

Bryant borrowed that mantra from his high school English teacher, and discussed it while accepting an Icon Award at the ESPYs in 2016.

can confirm A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) is an MVP interviewee.

we chatted about her “inner pettiness” around the A’One, the Kobe quote pushing her this season, the Kate Martin handshake, her “Hang It In The Louvre” moment & more @DimeUPROXX https://t.co/p8UcRrnvAB pic.twitter.com/UbD4CRghap

— Megan Armstrong (@meganKarmstrong) July 29, 2024

With the Aces 16-8 in 2024 and the United States about to begin its Olympic campaign, Wilson appears to have no intention of letting up, either.

"I just keep telling myself, 'Rest at the end, not in the middle.' I just keep playing, and I keep pushing through," Wilson said. "Trying to push through these walls, so that I can push through (them) for my teammates so they know that they can push through (them). That’s what’s making me play at this level, and I’m having so much fun doing it."