COLUMBIA — She already has a statue outside Colonial Life Arena, her jersey hangs proudly in the rafters, and her name is synonymous with greatness. Yet for A’ja Wilson, this latest honor feels a bit different.
“This is definitely, probably, top three,” Wilson said on Oct. 23 after being officially inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. “When you’re a Hall-of-Famer, no matter where you are, it’s special. It’s truly been a long journey, but this city, this state has welcomed me with wide-open arms.”
Fresh off her third WNBA championship and a record fourth MVP award, Wilson made her entrance at the ceremony with her trademark grace and warmth — greeting fans, signing autographs, and posing for photos. The moment became even more special when she was embraced by another Gamecock legend, Sheila Foster, while admirers once again called her “the greatest athlete in school history.”
Few would disagree. Even without counting her pro accolades, Wilson’s legacy at South Carolina towers over nearly every other athlete who has worn the garnet and black. Coach Dawn Staley joked that this might be the only way to bring her former star home more often:
“It’s probably the only way we can get A’ja to come back to South Carolina — put her in a Hall of Fame somewhere. We’re going to have to make Hall of Fames up so she can come back more often.”
According to Staley, she had encouraged Wilson to call athletic director Jeremiah Donati months earlier for a surprise. “What could it be?” Wilson recalled thinking. “I already have a statue.”
When the surprise turned out to be her Hall of Fame induction, Wilson’s reaction was pure joy. Still glowing from her WNBA triumph, she lit up Williams-Brice Stadium as her name was announced.
“I’m just grateful to be a Hall-of-Famer now,” she said. “This year has been phenomenal — from my jersey retirement to my third championship to now. I just want to continue to put a footprint on my legacy and women’s basketball.
“I don’t know what is left, but I’m greedy. I will go after it, always. Maybe that’s what’s next — more.”
For Wilson, who grew up in Columbia and chose to stay home to build something special with Staley, this recognition carries deep meaning.
“It means impact,” Staley said of Wilson and fellow 2024 inductee Tiffany Mitchell. “They made a tremendous amount of impact in our community, for our program, for our athletics department.”
And now, A’ja Wilson — already immortalized in bronze and banners — adds another historic chapter to her South Carolina legacy.
