4 Years! That’s how long it took for 4× WBCA National Coach of the Year Dawn Staley to transform A’ja Wilson into the star she is today. And perhaps this is the reason why the MVP Of the Paris Olympics 2024 Women’s Basketball still regards her so highly even after so many years of her graduation. Well, this special connection that they both share off the court has resulted in Staley knowing  Wilson inside out. That in a way gives the right to the 54-year-old to spill some beans about her former protege. Doesn’t it?

The Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas recently got a chance to interact with Dawn Staley. Conversing about the events that transpired before Game 4 of the WNBA Finals last year, the Gamecocks head coach revealed some lesser-known facts about A’ja Wilson. She went on and said, “People don’t know, A’ja gets really nervous. Like super nervous. Almost it’s part of her game psyche to get herself psyched out and then psyched up, coz she’s like ‘I just wanna win.'”

Evidently, that seemed to work for Wilson that night at the Barclays Center. With a single-point margin, the Aces got their hands on a second consecutive WNBA title. And who else to get them over the line than Wilson herself whose 24 points by the end of the night turned out to be an MVP worth exhibition.

Anyhow, Staley got an idea of Wilson’s trait with what happened the night before both participated in their national championship game at South Carolina. Providing an insight, Staley further adds, “Imma go off queue a little bit because she text me the night before the national championship when we played in. And, I use her words. ‘I just want to win’. That’s it.” 

Such has been the equation between A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley. Everything from Wilson’s WNBA titles to her getting a signature collection with Nike, Dawn Staley makes sure to celebrate her accomplishments and convey a special shoutout. Is this why the 2× WNBA MVP considers Staley her “second mom?”

A’ja Wilson expands on her coach-player bond with Dawn Staley

The Nike On Air episode with Womanica has A’ja Wilson and Dawn Staley reflect more on their relationship. Crediting the 3× NCAA Division I Tournament champion coach for her rise in the sport, Wilson revealed that she still would have played under her even if Staley wasn’t coaching the Gamecocks.

She said, “It just so happens that Coach Staley was in my backyard. But I feel like if she was in Alaska, Hawaii, anywhere, I would have gone to play for her. Because that’s just the energy. It was just like a perfect match that she was in South Carolina. But I would have followed her. Coach Staley is like my second mom.” 

A connection lasting a decade. Indeed, the impact that Staley had on A’ja Wilson’s career truly speaks volumes and reflects on her accomplishments. Well, Staley would hope there is much more to come in the near future.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.