A’ja Wilson Returns Home as Gamecock Royalty at South Carolina-Alabama Showdown
When A’ja Wilson steps onto South Carolina’s campus, it’s more than a homecoming — it’s a royal return. The Gamecock legend, WNBA superstar, and four-time league MVP was back in Columbia over the weekend, taking in South Carolina’s clash with Alabama, as shown on SEC Network.
Wilson, now fresh off her third WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces, remains one of the most celebrated athletes in South Carolina history. Her statue outside Colonial Life Arena stands as a lasting tribute to the legacy she built when she led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA title in 2017 under coach Dawn Staley.
“A’ja Wilson isn’t just a player — she’s the foundation of everything South Carolina basketball has become,” one fan said during the game.
Before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Wilson dominated college basketball. She was a three-time SEC Player of the Year (2016–2018), South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points, and the program’s career blocks leader (363).
Her influence continues to ripple through the program. Since Wilson’s rise, South Carolina has become a pipeline to WNBA success. Aliyah Boston followed her footsteps as the No. 1 pick in 2023, going on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever. A year later, Kamilla Cardoso joined the Chicago Sky after helping lead the Gamecocks to an undefeated 38-0 season and a third national championship in 2024.
Other Gamecocks, including Tiffany Mitchell, Zia Cooke, Allisha Gray, Te-Hina Paopao, and Tyasha Harris, have all made their mark at the professional level — a testament to the powerhouse program Wilson helped create.
Earlier this year, South Carolina retired Wilson’s jersey, forever cementing her as the cornerstone of the Gamecock dynasty.
It’s clear — the modern era of South Carolina dominance, both in college and the WNBA, began with A’ja Wilson. And when she returns home, she’s not just visiting — she’s celebrated as the queen who started it all.
