Three minutes before tipoff, A’ja Wilson — the Las Vegas Aces’ center-forward and four-time WNBA MVP — gets rid of jitters by meeting with the team chaplain for a quick prayer. Before and after games, the Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin treats her muscles to leg massages and mobility stretches. And throughout the season, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks makes vision boards with the help of a sports psychologist.

The WNBA is packed with elite athletes at their absolute best: strong, fast, and driven, yet calm under pressure. They can sink a free throw with 20,000 fans roaring in the stands and maintain composure with only seconds left on the clock.

Although the women of the W are the stars of the show, countless people work behind the scenes to keep them ready and

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