Olympics: Unprofessional act of Official Forcing A’ja Wilson to Chill out During Game Against Belgium is getting all the RAGE.
A’ja Wilson is known for her emotional energy on the court, whether it’s encouraging her teammates or celebrating her own big plays. However, not everyone appreciates her passionate displays.
After the U.S. defeated Belgium on Thursday night at the Olympics, Wilson shared that an official had told her to temper her emotions during the game.
“I need to get my emotions in check,” the official said, which only intensified Wilson’s feelings. “I was like, ‘How can you tell me that I can’t show my passion and emotions at my job?'” Wilson responded. “So I stayed composed and true to myself, focusing on who I am and those around me, and I just kept moving forward.”
Wilson plans to maintain her fiery playing style in their upcoming match against Germany on Sunday, where first place in their group is at stake. Both teams are undefeated and have advanced to the Paris quarterfinals.
“I’m not going to let a defender believe they’ve stopped me,” she said. “I’ll keep playing with intensity. To that ref, I’ll keep expressing myself loudly—cheering, shouting, and everything in between—because that’s how I play.”
Wilson mentioned that the official’s comment came after reviewing a play. “I’m not telling him how to do his job, so he shouldn’t tell me how to do mine,” the two-time WNBA MVP said.
Wilson, who is averaging 23.5 points and 13 rebounds for the U.S., was not the only one showing emotion in the win over Belgium. The game was lively with over 25,000 fans, mostly supporting Belgium, as the arena was close to the Belgian border.
Even the usually calm Breanna Stewart showed excitement after a big block, and Sabrina Ionescu quieted the crowd with a late three-pointer.
The Americans enjoyed the game and their 57th consecutive Olympic victory.
“Knowing we had a smaller crowd and the stakes of the game, we wanted to energize our team and stay passionate,” Stewart said. “Winning one game is just a start; it’s important to play with passion and have fun.”
