A’ja Wilson had a monster senior season with the Gamecocks in 2018, sweeping all major national player of the year awards. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
Fresh off a historic WNBA MVP season, Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is being honored where it all began. The former South Carolina star will have his jersey retired by the Gamecocks during the upcoming college season, the team announced Tuesday.
South Carolina plans to install Wilson’s No. 22 into the rafters in a ceremony on Feb. 2, or February 2nd. On this day, the Gamecocks, currently No. 1 in the rankings, will host Auburn.
Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina (home of the University of South Carolina), Wilson played a key role in building the Gamecock dynasty. She led South Carolina and longtime head coach Dawn Staley to their first NCAA championship in 2017.
During his senior year in 2018, Wilson had a monster season, averaging 22.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game, and swept the major National Player of the Year awards. She was a National Player of the Year finalist in her sophomore and junior seasons and was named SEC First Team and All-American in all four seasons. The Aces selected her No. 1 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
Wilson still holds 22 program records (as appropriate) and is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points, according to a Gamecocks news release.
In 2021, South Carolina honored Wilson with a statue outside the school’s Colonial Life Arena. The 11-foot tall bronze statue was unveiled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Wilson praised the significance of both the statue and the day.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight,” Wilson said. she was her. But at the same time, she was in her community. ”
Wilson’s jersey was selected for retirement by a committee comprised of representatives from the school’s athletic department, board of trustees and the University of Southern California Lettermen’s Association, the school said. A five-year waiting period began at the end of her final season.
