A’ja Wilson, in her small career of 7 years, has proven she is a total powerhouse on the court. From being a three-time MVP to leading the W in scoring, just name an accolade, and she has it. But her journey to what she is now wasn’t as easy as it might seem. It wasn’t until her high school sophomore year that she was diagnosed with dyslexia, which completely changed her perspective. Eva made her believe in “God’s plan in God’s time,” only to act as an angel in the story.

Before that, the South Carolina-born would often feel embarrassed in her early years when reading in class, especially during the ‘popcorn reading’. Her teachers, unfortunately, would just tell her to “try harder” or say she was being “lazy.” That could have been a major setback, but she didn’t let it stop her, because, in her words, she was trying. After going through these, what did wonders for young Wilson? Like most, it was the parents.

When she got to college, A’ja’s parents took a big step—they went to her college coach, Dawn Staley, and shared everything with her. That’s when things clicked. With Staley’s support, A’ja began reading aloud in front of her teammates, which helped her improve little by little. Of course, throughout it all, A’ja had a constant source of strength: Eva Wilson, her mom. The lady who didn’t choose to lose hope but gave her best to see her daughter come out confident.

How did A’ja Wilson’s mom teach her to turn adversity into strength?

Back in 1996, Roscoe Jr. and Eva Wilson were blessed with a daughter, who was special from that very moment. The couple named her ‘A’ja,’ influenced by her father’s favorite song by Steely Dan. And training toward excellence started right from there. But do you know she has a middle name, Riyadh? The story behind this is her aunt’s deployment in the Gulf War.

“My mom never really sugarcoated anything for me. I really appreciate that because later in life, when I’m facing a Becky Hammon or a Dawn Staley, they didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Wilson shared in an interview with Landscape. For Eva, discipline and hard work were the definition they wanted in her child. As a mother, she wanted A’ja to know the importance of standing up for herself.

One of the earliest lessons that A’ja recalls from her mother was the importance of self-defense, both physically and mentally. “There’s always going to be people around who will try to make you feel lesser than, and you are not lesser than,” Eva would often say.

All these lessons came to use when the 2x WNBA champion experienced her first setback. As Eva recalled, A’ja was just 10 years old when she experienced racism for the first time. After being invited to a birthday sleepover, she was told to sleep outside because her friend’s father didn’t like black people. But was it surprising for her parents? Eva answered, “We knew this day would come, and we made sure A’ja understood how to handle it.” The incident might have hurt little A’ja, but nothing broke her, because her mom trained her to enough to face the world.

The mother and daughter bond developed through the years

Kids learn from their parents, and the story is no different here. Growing up, the 28-year-old would wake up early to see her mother already at work, embodying the “rise and grind” mentality. Back then, Eva worked as a court stenographer. On the other hand, her father played collegiate basketball at Benedict College before transitioning to professional basketball in Europe for the next ten years.

Her father’s profession had a deep impact on her, as she made it her career. But what took her to her dream was her mother was instrumental support in every step. Over time, the bond shared by the Aces’ standout and her mother only strengthened. As Wilson says, it evolved from “I’m not one of your little friends” to “my mom being my best friend.”

No doubt, for her, “It’s something truly special.” Beyond tough love, Eva’s role in A’ja’s life took on a new dimension once her basketball career began to take off.

Her talent was undeniable. And when talent sparks, teams pick. The Las Vegas Aces drafted her as the first overall pick of the 2018 WNBA. It was the culmination of years of dedication and sacrifice, not just from A’ja, but from her parents. “Without them, there is no me,” A’ja says when reflecting on her parents’ involvement in her journey.

As A’ja’s career reached new heights, she gave back beautifully. Eva, who had worked for 16 years in South Carolina, had always put her career on hold to support her family. When A’ja insisted that she retire, Eva initially hesitated but eventually agreed. “It was tears of joy for sure,” Eva said, remembering the moment. “For your child to want to give you another life, a whole new chapter, that was just overwhelming for me.” And she finally retired, only to focus on something different.

There’s never been a better way to pay back

She now works alongside A’ja as part of her business ventures. Eva serves as the executive director of the A’ja Wilson Foundation and COO of Burnt Wax Candle Company, a family business.

The transition from mother-daughter to business partners has been an adjustment, one that both women cherish. They share a unique bond that’s only strengthened by their shared goals. “It’s the most annoying thing ever,” A’ja jokes about working with her mom, “but I love it.”

The bond between A’ja and Eva Wilson cannot be overstated. It’s a relationship built on love, sacrifice, and unwavering support, one that has shaped A’ja into the powerhouse she is today. And as A’ja continues to shine in the WNBA, there’s no doubt that her mother will be right there, cheering her on every step of the way.