COLUMBIA, S.C. — A’ja Wilson, a three-time MVP of the WNBA, was honored on Sunday as her No. 22 jersey was officially retired at Colonial Life Arena, the venue that served as her college home and is already adorned with a statue commemorating her as South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer.
Throughout the weekend, Wilson connected with coach Dawn Staley as well as the current Gamecocks team, who secured a victory against Auburn with a score of 83-66. During Saturday’s practice, she engaged with the players and participated in a question-and-answer session alongside Staley, later attending the men’s game where South Carolina faced No. 13 Texas A&M courtside that evening.
This tribute is well-deserved for the 6-foot-5 athlete who excelled under Staley’s coaching, securing the title of Southeastern Conference player of the year three times and playing an essential role in leading South Carolina to its inaugural national championship in 2017.
Wilson holds the distinction of being the leading scorer (2,389 points) and shot-blocker (363 blocks) in South Carolina’s history. Additionally, she made history as the first player to be selected first overall in the WNBA draft, when the Las Vegas Aces chose her. Her impressive resume includes three league MVP awards, including one from the recent season, and two WNBA championships with her team. She was also part of the U.S. Olympic squad that secured gold in Paris this past summer.
Her remarkable journey began a short distance from the university’s campus, and Staley poignantly expressed during a video presentation, “Home is where your legacy began.” As Wilson took the stage, an enthusiastic fan expressed appreciation, yelling, “A’ja, we love you!”
In response, Wilson smiled and thanked the crowd, appreciating her teammates, coaches, and supporters. “It’s a privilege to be a Gamecock and to be part of this community,” Wilson remarked. Emotional moments followed as she expressed gratitude to her parents, stating, “I hope I make you proud.”
A banner displaying her name alongside South Carolina and the number 22 now hangs next to the NCAA championship banner from eight years ago, marking a significant moment in her career. As Wilson exited the court, she was surrounded by current Gamecocks players who sported warm-up shirts featuring her number.
“Thank you all for believing in me and for making this moment possible,” Wilson told the gathering, as the celebration unfolded around her.
