A’ja Wilson, known for her expressive presence on the basketball court, has no plans to curb her emotions. During a post-game reflection after the U.S. team’s victory over Belgium at the Olympics, Wilson shared that an official had asked her to tone down her emotional expressions during the game.
“I need to get my emotions in check,” the official told her, a comment that Wilson said only intensified her feelings. “How are you going to tell me at my job that I can’t show emotion, passion?” she recounted. Maintaining her composure, Wilson emphasized her intent to remain true to herself. “I keep my cool by understanding who I am and who I have around me, and I don’t look back,” she said.
Wilson remained resolute about not altering her style of play for the upcoming match against Germany, a game crucial for determining the first place in their group, as both teams stood with 2-0 records and had secured spots in the quarterfinals in Paris. “I’m not going to let a defender think that they’ve stopped me,” Wilson declared. “To that ref, I’m going to keep yelling, screaming, fussing—and yes, even cussing—because that’s the game I play.”
She pointed out that her response to the official was about respect for professional boundaries. “I’m not telling him not to blow his whistle, just like I’m not telling you how to do your job, so don’t tell me how to do mine,” said the two-time WNBA MVP, who was averaging 23.5 points and 13 rebounds for the U.S. at the time.
The game itself was charged with emotion, played before over 25,000 fans, predominantly supporting Belgium, given the country’s proximity to its border. Teammates like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu also displayed their passion, with Stewart energized by a significant block and Ionescu silencing the crowd with a late three-pointer.
As the U.S. team celebrated their 57th consecutive Olympic victory, Stewart reflected on the atmosphere, acknowledging their outnumbered position in the stands but highlighting the importance of playing with passion and having fun. “We won one game, but that doesn’t mean anything,” she noted. “So just playing with a lot of passion and having fun.”
