Two South Carolina women’s basketball alumni are set to compete on one of sports’ biggest award stages next month, as the ESPYs return on Wednesday, July 15 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+. ESPN announced the nominees on Thursday, and Gamecock faithful have plenty to watch for.
Wilson’s Triple Threat
A’ja Wilson stands as one of the most decorated nominees of this year’s ceremony, earning recognition across three separate categories — a testament to her dominance both individually and as part of the Las Vegas Aces franchise.
Wilson is nominated for Best Athlete — Women’s Sports, where she faces a formidable cross-sport field: USA Hockey forward Hilary Knight, golfer Nelly Korda, and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin. The category pits her against athletes at the pinnacle of entirely different disciplines, making it one of the evening’s most compelling storylines.
She is also in contention for Best WNBA Player and carries a third nomination alongside her Las Vegas Aces teammates for Best Team — reflecting the franchise’s continued standing as one of professional basketball’s elite programs.
A Familiar Rivalry for Best WNBA Player
The Best WNBA Player category doubles as a reunion of sorts. Wilson is joined on the nominees list by her former South Carolina teammate Allisha Gray, now starring for the Atlanta Dream. Rounding out the category are Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx and Alyssa Thomas of the Phoenix Mercury — making it arguably the night’s most competitive WNBA moment.
For Gray, this represents a significant milestone and a chance at her first ESPY award. However, history works against her. Wilson has won this exact award in back-to-back years — 2023 and 2024 — and also claimed Best Athlete — Women’s Sports in 2024. Her ESPY résumé also includes nominations for Best College Athlete and Best Team, both during her Gamecock days and with Las Vegas.
The Bigger Picture
Wilson’s nominations are not merely routine recognition — they reflect a sustained period of excellence that has made her the face of the modern WNBA. Gray’s inclusion, meanwhile, signals her own rise as a legitimate star in Atlanta, even if she enters as an underdog against her former teammate.
For South Carolina fans, July 15 offers a rare chance to root for two of the program’s own on the same stage — in the same category — with history hanging in the balance.
