Honors college accolade for A'ja Wilson from her alma mater, South Carolina
A'ja Wilson's Remarkable Career: Dominance in College, WNBA, and International Play
A'ja Wilson, the 28-year-old powerhouse of women's basketball, is currently in the midst of another stellar season with the Las Vegas Aces, strengthening her case for the Naismith Hall of Fame. Her career achievements span across college, the WNBA, and international play, making her one of the greatest players in the sport's history.
College Career (2014-2018): Wilson played at the University of South Carolina, leading the Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017. She was named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and won a record three straight SEC Player of the Year awards by 2018. Wilson was a consensus first-team All-American for three consecutive seasons and swept all major National Player of the Year awards (Wade, AP, Honda, USBWA, Wooden, Naismith) in 2018.
WNBA Career:
- 2018: Drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces, Wilson won WNBA Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.7 points and 8 rebounds per game.
- 2020: Wilson won her first WNBA MVP award, leading the Aces to the WNBA Finals.
- 2022: Wilson captured her second MVP and led the Aces to their first-ever WNBA Championship. She also earned the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and All-WNBA First Team honors.
- 2023: Wilson helped the Aces defend their title, winning a second consecutive WNBA Championship. She was named WNBA Finals MVP, repeated as Defensive Player of the Year, and earned All-WNBA First Team honors.
- 2024: Wilson won her third WNBA MVP unanimously, setting the league record for single-season scoring average with 26.9 points per game along with 11.9 rebounds per game. She became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a single season and became the Aces' all-time leading scorer.
- Other highlights: Wilson is a seven-time All-Star, a three-time All-WNBA First Team member, and reached 500 career blocks in 2025.
International Play: Wilson has won two Olympic gold medals and two FIBA World Cup gold medals representing the United States women's national basketball team.
Overseas: Wilson signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves (WCBA) for the 2018-19 WNBA off-season.
Summary of key awards:
| Year | Award/Honor | Notes | |-------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------| | 2017 | NCAA Championship, Most Outstanding Player | Led South Carolina to 1st title | | 2018 | SEC Player of the Year (3rd consecutive) | All major National Player of Year awards | | 2018 | WNBA Rookie of the Year | 1st overall WNBA draft pick | | 2020 | WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) | First MVP award | | 2022 | WNBA MVP, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year | Led Aces to first championship | | 2023 | WNBA Champion, Finals MVP, Defensive POY | Defended title, Finals MVP | | 2024 | WNBA MVP (unanimous), scoring record (26.9 ppg)| First 1,000 point single season| | 2018-2023 | Five-time WNBA All-Star | | | 2021-2023 | Three-time All-WNBA First Team | |
A'ja Wilson's impact on the South Carolina women's basketball program cannot be overstated. Her accomplishments with the team have contributed significantly to its rise as one of the premiere programs in the country. Wilson was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and played a significant role in the rise of the Las Vegas Aces as a championship franchise. The Aces finished with the best record in the western conference for four consecutive years under Wilson's leadership.
Wilson's achievements extend beyond the court, as she headlines the 2025 South Carolina athletics Hall of Fame class. This prestigious group includes Natasha Hastings (track and field, 2005-07), Paul Jubb (men's tennis, 2016-20), Brandon Hulko (diving, 1999-2002), Akram Mahmoud (swimming, 2014-18), and Mollie Patton (women's soccer, 2006-10).
A'ja Wilson's career is marked by consistent excellence, leadership, and record-breaking performances. Her contributions to women's basketball are undeniable, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport's history.
In the realm of women's basketball, A'ja Wilson's accomplishments extend beyond the WNBA, as she led the University of South Carolina to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017 and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Also, Wilson's international play has been exceptional, earning her two Olympic gold medals and two FIBA World Cup gold medals representing the United States women's national basketball team.
