A’ja Wilson will see her #22 jersey take its place in the rafters of the Colonial Life Arena prior to tipoff with Auburn.
COLUMBIA, S.C. β When the statue of A’ja Wilson was erected in January of 2021, COVID-19 protocols were still in place and the official unveiling featured a very limited number of guests.
But when the former Heathwood Hall and South Carolina star watches her jersey take a permanent place among the greats, more than 18,000 of her closest friends could be there to enjoy the moment.
Wilson’s #22 jersey will be retired prior to the Auburn game and it will be another reminder of her legacy at South Carolina.
The nation’s top prospect for the Class of 2014, Wilson led Heathwood Hall to the SCISA state championship. Three years later, she was hoisting the national championship trophy in Dallas as she helped the Gamecock women’s basketball team earn its first national title.Β
It was just two years ago when she helped the Las Vegas Aces earn its second consecutive WNBA title, six years after she was chosen by the franchise with the first pick in the WNBA Draft.
But Saturday saw Wilson return to the Carolina Coliseum practice faciility where she spoke to the current group of Gamecocks at the end of practice. Wilson answered several question from curious players who wanted to know what A’ja does to prepare for the challenges of the WNBA season.Β
While her career is far from over, Wilson is at a loss for words trying to explain the trajectory of her time as a high school star to her current status as one of the faces of the WNBA and someone who has made her mark as a philanthropist and spokesperson for various products.
