Back in 2014, the No.1. prospect in the country, A’ja Wilson made her collegiate decision at Heathwood Hall. A South Carolina native, Wilson chose to attend the University of South Carolina over Connecticut, North Carolina, and Tennessee. 11 years later, her number will forever hang in the rafters at Colonial Life Arena, and her statue remains at the University.
At that moment, Wilson chose to play for Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. She had been a dominant high school player, leading her squad to a state title, and this decision changed the program forever. It’s clear her parents, family, and late grandmother had a profound impact on her decision to stay close to home.
South Carolina will always be home to A’ja Wilson
A’ja Wilson speaks on her love for South Carolina and her upcoming shoe ♥️ pic.twitter.com/ZVTLyGwm8g
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) July 19, 2024
Donning the Garnet and black for four years, there will never be another no. 22 to play for the University of South Carolina. From leading South Carolina to their first-ever NCAA Championship to achieving personal accolades, Wilson’s impact on the Gamecocks is everlasting. Wilson single-handedly made the Gamecocks Women’s Basketball one of the most dominant programs in the country today.
With Wilson’s parents by her side, 18,000 fans poured in prior to the USC vs Auburn matchup to witness the historic moment. In an emotional speech, Wilson highlighted the significance of where her dreams began, which was the University of South Carolina. In attendance was Wilson’s former teammate and friend, Allisha Gray.
During All-Star weekend in July, Wilson described South Carolina as her “home.” Often stating she receives free food, Wilson stressed the importance of visiting the place that shaped her
“That’s home,” said Wilson during All-Star weekend in Phoenix. “Anytime I can go back, I love going back because it’s a different feel. It’s a different vibe. It’s a nice little hug from my Grandma. They’ve always been so supportive of me, no matter where I am. “
The ceremony was emotional for A’ja Wilson and family
Not a dry eye in the building @_ajawilson22 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VEhY9XBRW8
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) February 2, 2025
Thanking her coaches and teammates, Wilson was teary-eyed as she expressed her gratitude for not only her family but head coach Dawn Staley. Wilson also gave a special shoutout to her “favorite Olympian from out of town,” Heat center Bam Adebayo.
“To have my jersey retired at the University of South Carolina, the place where my dreams began, is an honor I can hardly put into words,” said Wilson during her speech.
While Wilson has publicly expressed her love for her late grandmother Hattie on social media over the years, she mentioned her grandmother’s hardships. In fact, during her 2021 statue unveiling, Wilson tearfully spoke on those struggles.
“My Grandmother, Hattie Rakes, grew up in this area,” Wilson said during the statue unveiling speech. When she was a child, she couldn’t even walk on the grounds of the University of South Carolina. She would have to walk around the campus just to get to where she needed to go.”
Just the fifth Gamecock to have her jersey number retired by the University, Wilson is arguably the most prominent player ever to grace the hardwood for the University of South Carolina. Talk about a full-circle moment for Wilson, her family, and her late Grandmother, Hattie.
A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley share an incredible bond
A’lways and forever pic.twitter.com/QtRtAvguI4
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) February 2, 2025
With No. 22 forever retired, Wilson exemplifies what South Carolina basketball stands for: greatness, leadership, strong family ties, hard work, and dedication. Now, Wilson’s jersey sits in the rafters alongside Martha Parker, Shannon Johnson, Tiffany Mitchell, and Sheila Foster. She’s the most decorated athlete in any sport at the University.
Now considered one of the best to coach women’s basketball, it’s always been bigger than basketball for Staley. Having been there for Wilson during boy problems, she somehow convinced Wilson to stay beyond her freshman year. If there’s one key takeaway from A’ja Wilson’s jersey retirement speech, it’s Staley’s unwavering support.
“As I look up in the rafters and see my jersey, I’m reminded how important it is to chase your dreams without fear,” Wilson said during her jersey retirement speech. “And the person who told me that and is still teaching me that is Dawn Staley. Thank you, coach, for seeing the light in me even when I couldn’t see it myself.”
Although the two still share a special bond, A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley’s dominance on the court remains. Throughout Wilson’s time in South Carolina, she led the Gamecocks to a 129-16 record. Leading the program to four consecutive SEC Championships, Wilson will forever be known for bringing South Carolina its first NCAA Championship in history.
Ten years later, Wilson received the 2024 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her leadership and positive impact on the community. Talk about another full-circle moment.
A’ja Wilson is the most decorated athlete at the University of South Carolina
3x SEC Player of the Year, Wilson remains the all-time leader in points (2,389) and blocks (363) at the University of South Carolina. Recipient of the Wade Trophy, and John R. Wood Award, Wilson was named the 2017-2018 Naismith College Player of the Year. While this is such a fraction of all she’s achieved at the collegiate level, No. 22 has gone on to accomplish great things at a higher level.
The Consensus National Player of the Year her senior year, A’ja was also named co-Defensive Player of the Year. And with that, that’s translated to the WNBA.
Arguably the best player ever to play women’s basketball, Wilson has won two WNBA Championships and is a three-time WNBA MVP. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Wilson was a crucial part of the 2024 Women’s Olympic Basketball team in Paris. From college to the pros, Wilson was a two-time first-team All-Defense and three-time first-team All-WNBA selection.
Today, Wilson will debut her signature shoe, A’One. She will continue to inspire the next generation while rising to the top of the professional rankings.
If there’s one message to take away from the jersey retirement, Dawn Staley made it clear that no player from the University of South Carolina will ever wear no. 22 again.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content Creator, and Manager for Ballislife Bets. She focuses on women’s basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane resides in the Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Connecticut.
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