The WNBA is undergoing a rebirth. To understand why, and to investigate the league’s incredible roots, WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and A’ja Wilson join Complex editor-in-chief Aria Hughes. Cooper and Wilson are both WNBA luminaries, but achieved their statuses via very different paths. Cooper joined the WNBA when it launched in 1996. At 34, she’d already played pro ball in Italy for nearly 10 years, but was not expected to be a superstar in the nascent league. Still, she quickly took over the W and became its face. During her WNBA career, she averaged 21 points per game while helping the Houston Comets win four consecutive championships and racking up four Finals MVP awards. Wilson joined the WNBA in 2018 and was predicted to be a star in the league well before her first tipoff. She’s more than lived up to those expectations. Wilson has led the Las Vegas Aces to three WNBA championships and garnered four league MVP awards. She also holds the highest career scoring average in WNBA history. Her average of 21.92 PPG puts her just above Cooper, who sits at number two for WNBA career scoring average with 20.98 PPG. On this episode of Please Explain, Cooper and Wilson share their expertise with Hughes, as the trio discusses WNBA pay inequity, the pressure of being a top player, branding and sneaker deals, the league’s past vs. its present, and how both stars inspire one another. Pay attention as Hughes invites Cooper and Wilson to Please Explain. “Please Explain Hosted by Aria Hughes” is an explainer show about culture, fashion, and music that brings context, not confusion, to the internet.
