As a WNBA star, A’JA WILSON’s athletic prowess is well-known, but what many people may not know about her is that she was diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood. In a recent interview, Wilson opened up about her experience with dyslexia and how it has affected her life.
Wilson spoke candidly about the challenges she faced growing up with dyslexia, including feeling like she didn’t quite fit in with her peers. However, she also spoke about how she learned to adapt and find ways to succeed despite her struggles.
“I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist,” Wilson said in an interview. “So when I was diagnosed with dyslexia, it was hard for me to accept that I wasn’t going to be able to do things the same way as everyone else.”
Despite these challenges, Wilson has gone on to have a successful career in the WNBA and has also become a fashion icon, thanks in part to her stunning appearances at high-profile events like the Met Gala.
“A’ja Wilson’s dedication on the court is matched only by her commitment to her community,” Dawn Staley once said about A’ja Wilson. Scoring 1,000 points in a single WNBA season was a feat many considered out of reach—until last season. Wilson shattered that notion, making history as the first player to achieve this milestone. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is her resilience in overcoming the challenges posed by a condition that affects a large portion of the population.
During her appearance on The Roommates Show, the Las Vegas Aces star took a moment to reflect on her journey beyond basketball. The conversation steered toward one of the books she’s written for her community—a project close to her heart.
Back in February, A’ja Wilson added another accomplishment to her growing list—becoming a published author. Her book, Dear Black Girls, offers readers an intimate look into her journey, revealing the challenges and triumphs that shaped her into the powerhouse she is today. Through its pages, Wilson opens her heart, sharing stories and lessons that reflect her deep connection to her identity and community.
The host, intrigued by Wilson’s passion, asked, “So talk about obviously your goals with that and talk about the book and, you know, the role model you’re trying to be.” Wilson quickly gave an explanatory response.
“Yeah, I mean, for those that follow me, they probably know I am dyslexic. So, me writing a book was so far-fetched ’cause I was like, ‘I barely even… I’m barely comfortable reading aloud, let alone just writing a book and having someone read it and have me read it.’” This takes us back to the time when Wilson wrote an essay for The Players’ Tribune about her struggles with dyslexia and how she found out about it.
“School was stupid… That’s how I felt growing up,” she documented. “It was like a really bad dream. And this activity called ‘popcorn reading’ … that was my nightmare.” As the WNBA MVP explained, ‘popcorn reading’ was when a teacher asked a student to read a passage from a book, and after a while, when they said, “Popcorn!” followed by another student’s name, they had to continue where the other left off. “I got popcorned a lot.
“And anyone who popcorned me became my enemy. Don’t popcorn me.” All this was because A’ja had trouble with reading. She’d always known that. But it wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that she found out exactly why.
For Wilson, the Met Gala is not just an opportunity to showcase her sense of style, but also a chance to use her platform to raise awareness about dyslexia and other issues that affect marginalized communities.
When asked if she intends to wear any pink and green to this year’s MET Gala (She happens to be on the coveted host committee.), Wilson quickly giggled. She then admitted with a playful grin, “I can’t say [what I’m wearing yet]. I have to keep that under wraps. It is going to be hectic for me because it is kind of at the start of our season. But it will definitely be special. It is my first one so I’m really trying to enjoy it.”
Enjoyment was certainly on the agenda all week for the entire DDA crew, as was motivation. Wilson, author of the 2024 best-seller Dear Black Girls didn’t shy away from talking about her learning disability, dyslexia. Her vulnerability undoubtedly helped many of the teens in attendance with special needs feel seen. Wilson encouraged all of the strivers to face their challenges head on rather than avoid them. She exclaimed, “Dreams are limitless!”
