In a league where she already plays like a franchise-saving force, it only makes sense that A’ja Wilson showed up looking like one too.
Wilson has used the past three Las Vegas Aces media days to preview more than just a new season. She has turned it into a reveal of a new version of herself each year. And ahead of the 2026 season, she leaned right back into that tradition, but this time in a way that instantly grabbed attention across the WNBA.
The 6-foot-4 star revealed her new look with a Jean Grey-inspired look from the X-Men universe. Yes, you have heard that right! The Aces star now has bright red hair, loose curls, and a full superhero-coded vibe.
“There’s just something about just changing my hair a little bit for media day. I think it brings me a little bit of joy that the season’s beginning,” she told reporters. “This one, we kind of went with the Jean Grey type of vibe with X-Men. She is a superhero that is pretty, pretty powerful. And I kind of went with this just to kind of give you those vibes.”
But it is worth noting that this has become a pattern now because A’ja Wilson has turned her appearance into an annual statement piece. For which she credits her “glam squad,” claiming that they make sure she’s “good” and “extra.”
In 2024, she went silver after a championship-winning run with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.
In 2025, she switched it to pink to spotlight her A’One shoe line.
So this time, she is leaning into her superhero energy by matching her status in the league with a character known for power and transformation.
That identity also aligns with what the Aces continue to build around her, especially after Wilson signed a historic three-year, $5 million supermax extension, further cementing her as the face of the franchise’s modern era.
“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” Team president and GM Nikki Fargas said. “Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity, and grace.”
So when her latest look hit social media, it didn’t take long for the WNBA world to turn Wilson’s superhero-inspired transformation into a full-blown conversation of its own.
If Wilson was channeling superhero energy with her 2026 Media Day look, the internet didn’t just notice it; they ran with it.
The moment images of her Jean Grey-inspired transformation surfaced, fans across social media immediately started connecting dots and drawing comparisons.
One fan leaned straight into the comic book comparison and wrote, “Bam As Cyclops.” Another reaction kept things simple but full of energy: “She looks good! My girl!! 😍😍”
In the Marvel universe, Jean Grey and Scott Summers (Cyclops) are often seen as the ultimate power duo. Why? Because they are two leaders who anchor their teams, operate with elite control, and share a bond that goes beyond the battlefield.
So when fans label Bam as “Cyclops” to A’ja Wilson’s “Jean Grey,” it’s less about cosplay and more about context. It’s a nod to two athletes who sit at the very top of their respective worlds and are constantly viewed as franchise-defining forces.
Furthermore, one fan added, “A’ja is essentially an Omega-level mutant, so it fits 🔥🔥🔥.” While another had a more playful take and wrote, “She is a superhero. Jean copied HER.”
In the lore, Grey sits among the most powerful beings in the X-Men universe, defined by her telekinesis and telepathy abilities that allow her to control, influence, and dominate battles on a scale few others can match.
So when Wilson went with a look inspired by her, it made sense.
The 29-year-old star has spent the past few seasons operating on a similar level of dominance in the WNBA. In 2025, she appeared in all 40 regular-season games and all 12 playoff games. There she averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per night as she led the Aces to their third championship in the last four seasons. That run earned her the Finals MVP, WNBA MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.