A’ja Wilson continues to enhance her impressive award collection, with her latest honor coming from her roots. South Carolina announced that one of its finest basketball players will be inducted into the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame, concluding what has already been an outstanding year for the WNBA star.
This Hall of Fame induction is yet another achievement in Wilson’s remarkable 2024. The Las Vegas Aces forward recently earned her third WNBA MVP title and helped Team USA claim Olympic gold in Paris, making this accolade from her alma mater especially timely.
How Will South Carolina Celebrate Its Basketball Icon?
The Gamecocks shared the news via social media, with reporter Lulu Kesin announcing it on X.
“A’ja Wilson will be inducted into the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame on October 23,” Kesin shared, providing fans with the much-anticipated date.
A’ja Wilson will be inducted into the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 23
The 2025 Hall of Fame class will also be honored during the football game vs. Alabama on Oct. 25. https://t.co/fahQEQv86T
— Lulu Kesin (@LuluKesin) August 4, 2025
The festivities will extend beyond the induction ceremony itself, as the 2025 Hall of Fame class will also be recognized during the football game against Alabama on October 25, ensuring Wilson is celebrated in front of the large crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Wilson will be joined by five other esteemed athletes in the 2025 induction class, including Brandon Hulko (men’s diving), Akram Mahmoud (men’s swimming), Paul Jubb (men’s tennis), Mollie Patton (women’s soccer), and Natasha Hastings (women’s track and field).
What Makes Wilson’s College Legacy So Unmatched?
Choosing to honor Wilson was an obvious decision, as no player in the program’s history had a career as impactful as hers during her four years in Columbia. She transformed the Gamecocks into national championship contenders under coach Dawn Staley.
Her statistics showcase her dominance: Wilson remains South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points, a record that may stand for years. During her four seasons, she averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 55%.
However, her defining moment came in 2017 when she led the Gamecocks to their inaugural NCAA National Championship. In the final against Mississippi State, she scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and recorded four blocks, earning the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honors.
Since joining the Las Vegas Aces as the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Wilson’s professional journey has been equally extraordinary. She has won three MVP awards and two WNBA championships and made history in 2024 by becoming the first player to score over 1,000 points in a single WNBA season.
This Hall of Fame induction adds to another significant honor given to Wilson by South Carolina earlier this year when they retired her number 22 in a touching ceremony at Colonial Life Arena. For Wilson, this recognition reflects not just individual achievement but her unwavering tribute to her Gamecock roots amid her rise to basketball stardom.
