Former Gamecock Roommates Shine in WNBA Showdown
Two of the WNBA’s hottest teams clashed Tuesday night in Las Vegas, and at the center of the action were two former South Carolina Gamecocks turned superstars: A’ja Wilson and Allisha Gray.
A Battle of Streaks
Atlanta came in with the league’s second-best record, having won seven of its last eight, while the Aces were riding a seven-game winning streak of their own. The game didn’t disappoint.
The Dream looked poised to take control after an 11-0 run stretched their lead to 10, but Las Vegas stormed back with a 13-0 run of its own. With the score tied at 72, Wilson knocked down what proved to be the game-winning jumper.
Gray gave Atlanta one last chance with a rebound off Wilson’s miss in the final minute, but the Aces’ defense sealed the victory. Wilson delivered another dominant night with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks, while Gray added 16 points, six boards, and two assists.
Different Journeys, Same Stage
Wilson and Gray’s bond goes back to their days as South Carolina roommates, when they helped lead the Gamecocks to the program’s first national championship in 2017. Both earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors, but their professional paths couldn’t have been more different.
Wilson’s rise was immediate and steady. She is already a three-time MVP, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and widely considered the best player in the world. Even after Las Vegas struggled early this season and suffered the worst home loss in league history, Wilson has powered their resurgence, putting herself right back in the MVP race.
Gray, meanwhile, had to fight her way to stardom. Drafted by Dallas, she endured years of instability and even saw her minutes cut after winning Olympic gold in 3X3 basketball. By 2023, she was traded to Atlanta, where she found a franchise eager to feature her.
Her impact has been undeniable. Gray averaged a career-high 17.1 points in her first season with the Dream, earned back-to-back All-Star nods, and swept the Skills and Three-Point contests in 2024. Under new coach Karl Smesko’s up-tempo system, she’s thriving even more this season, earning her first All-Star starting spot and climbing into MVP contention.
Friendship on Full Display
Despite their contrasting careers, Wilson and Gray’s friendship has only deepened. Known for their playful back-and-forth about whether Wilson can block Gray’s shot, the rivalry added another chapter Tuesday when Wilson swatted away a layup attempt in the fourth quarter.
They even exchanged laughs during the game. After Wilson knocked Gray down on a screen, she checked on her, only for Gray to shove her away with a grin. Later, when Gray drew a foul, she teased Wilson, who shot back: “Keep your hands to yourself!”
“I guess she wanted me to get a foul call, but it didn’t work out,” Wilson said afterward. “I’m glad she’s good and healthy and moving right. It’s always a joy to compete against her.”
Wilson made her admiration clear: “I love Lish with my whole heart. That’s my dog. That’s my ride or die. To see her flourish and what she’s doing in this league, it comes by no surprise to me, but I’m so glad she’s finally putting the league on notice as to what she can do on both ends of the basketball (court).”
What’s Next
Atlanta is backing Gray’s MVP campaign with its “MVPLish” slogan, while Las Vegas continues with Wilson’s “M’V3.” Both teams meet again next Wednesday in Atlanta, where Gamecock fans always pack the arena. The last time Wilson played there, she dropped her WNBA-record 53 points.
When they meet again, expect the same mix of competition, friendship, and laughter—just like back in Columbia in 2017.
