Two-time WNBA All-Star forward Satou Sabally talked about the challenges of playing against A'ja Wilson and a few other veterans. Even after being in the league for four years after being drafted by the Dallas Wings with the second pick in 2020, the star forward continues to learn about the players she goes up against.
The player that she mentioned that has challenged her the most was Wilson. The Las Vegas Aces forward has been regarded by many as one of the best players in the league for quite some time.
Wilson could win her third WNBA title in a row this season. The veteran forward encounters Sabally a lot. The two play in the Western Conference and played against each other in the postseason last year.
Sabally has shown improvement over the years, especially last season. On "Podcast P with Paul George," she talked about dealing with Wilson and other talented forwards.
"When I go against A'ja, to me, she's like, 'OK, let me crack that code. Let me measure myself against her,'" Sabally said. (Timestamp: 58:35.) "Because she's the player that blocks me the most. From year to year to year, it became less, I became better.
"I can feel like, 'OK, I can guard Stewie (Breanna Stewart) now. I can go against them.' But what makes them good is that they just have a second, third, fourth option."
The Wings star said that she enjoys being a two-way player and loves the different challenges that other players bring. Fans have yet to see Sabally in action this season as she's rehabbing a shoulder injury she sustained while playing for the Olympic qualifiers for the German national squad in February.
Also read: A'ja Wilson obliterates Diana Taurasi's record and stretches historic scoring run to 14 games
A'ja Wilson received praise from Aces rookie
Despite the 96-92 loss that the Aces suffered on Sunday against the LA Sparks, that didn't discourage rookie Kate Martin from commending A'ja Wilson. After going through their second-straight loss, Martin talked highly about the veteran forward and even called her the best player in the world.
"All my teammates have been in the league for a very long time, and I'm sitting next to the best player in the world," Martin said about Wilson. "And not only is she the best player in the world, she's the best leader I've ever been around."
Martin said Wilson encouraged her to keep shooting as they played against the Sparks. She had a career-high 13 points, shooting 3 of 3 from beyond the arc.