A’ja Wilson’s Jersey to be Retired by South Carolina in February
The University of South Carolina will retire the jersey of former Gamecock standout A’ja Wilson on Feb. 2 in a pregame ceremony ahead of the women’s basketball game against Auburn at Colonial Life Arena. Wilson, a four-time All-American and three-time SEC Player of the Year, is regarded as one of the most accomplished athletes in the program’s history. She led South Carolina to its first NCAA National Championship in 2017, along with its first SEC Tournament title and Final Four appearance in 2015.
Wilson, South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points, holds 22 program records. She played a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ dominance, helping the team win three SEC regular-season titles and going undefeated in SEC Tournament play throughout her four-year career. Individually, she earned National Player of the Year honors in 2018, was a three-time SEC Player of the Year, and added two SEC Defensive Player of the Year awards. Wilson was a finalist for the Honda Cup and was First-Team All-SEC each season of her college career.
A Columbia native, Wilson’s achievements extended beyond college basketball. She became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and quickly made an impact in the professional ranks. Wilson has earned three WNBA MVP titles, two WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, and six All-Star selections. Internationally, she represented the United States in the Olympics, winning gold medals in Tokyo (2020) and Paris (2024), where she was named MVP of the tournament.
In recognition of her impact on the program and her hometown, South Carolina honored Wilson with an 11-foot bronze statue outside Colonial Life Arena in 2021, making her the first woman to be represented with a statue on the university’s campus.
The decision to retire Wilson’s jersey follows the criteria set by a committee representing the South Carolina Athletics Department, Board of Trustees, and USC Lettermen’s Association. The factors include national and conference honors, school records, contributions to team success, and a waiting period of five years after a player’s collegiate career ends.
