Despite Going Through a NCAA Title Drought, A’ja Wilson Reveals What Led Her to Choose the South Carolina

On brink of her book debut, the Ace is giving much fodder for rave reviews. After creating court glories, A’ja Wilson is scripting a stirring story on the beleaguered lives. This literal moment is now making her delve deep into her nascent years. 

A’ja Wilson’s college stint resurfaced in her recent interaction held in the run-up to her off-the-court venture. Among other things, the 27-year-old champ talked about her decision creating difference in her early-stage career.

What did Wilson have to say?

In the recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, A’ja Wilson revealed the real reason that had motivated her to choose the Gamecocks despite their average performances until then. Notably, the Gamecocks won their first title with Wilson on their roster. Her response made her trust on head coach Dawn Staley quite clear.

“I remember listening to coach Staley’s hall of fame speech and she was speaking and she may had a point where she was saying like to my players just stay with me we’re gonna get it done… And at the time I was getting recruited, I was just like ‘Ooh! That actually could happen’. And I always say like Coach Staley could be anywhere and I would still go to play with her. She just so happened to be in South Carolina. But I just looked at South Carolina as a place and coach Staley as a person I was like that could tell me the good, the bad, the ugly. Everything that goes one being a black woman in the college world. So I was like what better person to coach than someone who has been through it,” Wilson walked down memory lane.

Wilson joined the Gamecocks in 2014 and stayed with them until 2018, playing four seasons. The South Carolina won their first NCAA championship title in 2017. It was purely Staley’s gaming acumen coupled with the execution of top-notch athletes like Wilson which led the South Carolina to their maiden title. Notably, Wilson averaged a humongous 17.9 points per game and nabbed 7.8 rebounds per match in that season. As part of honoring her, the South Carolina erected Wilson’s statue in January 2021.

Staley too got to the pinnacle of achievement as she played for the Charlotte Sting for a major part of her career. The Pennsylvania-born was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012 and got the chance to be drafted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

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With such experience, it might have been Staley’s wisdom that must have helped Wilson become the biggie she is right now in the basketball world. And their relationship is quite evident in their interactions.

What was Wilson’s latest public interaction with Staley?

Coach Staley recently took a dig at the Louisiana State University Lady Tigers’ fans after the Gamecocks trumped the former in an on-road game. She revealed in a sarcastic way that the LSU fans were calling her “boo.” Wilson too didn’t shy away from reacting to Staley’s comments and called them “So corny but this was a good one @dawnstaley” on social media networking site X.

Hopefully, watching Wilson’s interview will give the current Gamecocks team a boost in their confidence. And they will continue their on-song performance. Furthermore, the incoming freshmen and athletes who are yet to commit to a college will keep the South Carolina in mind before making a decision.

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