Nothing seems to be slowing A’ja Wilson down right now. From winning MVP honors to leading the Aces to their third championship in four years, she’s enjoying a career peak few can match. The icing on the cake came earlier this week when she was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame. For a program that had never reached a Final Four before her arrival, only to go on and play in two and claim a national title, the honor perfectly captures the magnitude of her impact in Gamecocks’ history.

“When you’re a Hall of Famer, no matter where you are, it’s special, and particularly here at the University of South Carolina,” Wilson said. “It’s truly been a long journey, but this city, this state, has [welcomed] me with wide open arms, and I’m just grateful to kind of be a Hall of Famer now.” 

At just 29, A’ja Wilson’s list of accomplishments reads like a career retrospective. She has won championships at both the collegiate and professional levels, earned Player of the Year honors at South Carolina and in the WNBA, claimed two Olympic gold medals, and even launched her own signature shoe. Now, with her induction into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame, her legacy feels complete.

For Wilson, “complete” might just mark the beginning of even bigger things. But those conversations will have to wait until the WNBA season kicks off. Right now, it’s all about the off-season, and A’ja seems to be soaking in life in Columbia. According to reporter Claire Foley, Wilson, along with Dawn Staley and the current South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, were among 79,537 fans at Williams-Brice Stadium cheering on the Gamecocks football team against Alabama.

In the video, Dawn Staley is seen soaking in the atmosphere, rallying the crowd, and encouraging more noise as she makes her way to the seats alongside A’ja, who clearly seems to be enjoying Staley’s antics. Overall, the group looks like they’re having a great time, taking a fun break from the intensity of the basketball world.

Unfortunately, the match ended in heartbreak for the South Carolina faithful. The Gamecocks came up just short as Alabama’s Germie Bernard scored two touchdowns in the final two and a half minutes, sealing a 29-22 comeback victory for the Crimson Tide. The loss leaves the Gamecocks reeling with a 3-5 overall record and a dismal 1-5 mark in the SEC.

While the men’s football team battles through a rough patch this season, the spotlight remains firmly on the women’s basketball team, where expectations of dominance and excellence are as high as ever.

A’ja Wilson’s Former Team Earns No. 2 Spot in Rankings

Last season’s runners-up return this season hungry for revenge, but the road ahead won’t be simple. MiLaysia Fulwiley has moved on to LSU, Chloe Kitts is out with a torn ACL, and Ashlyn Watkins has opted to step away for the season. Even with these setbacks, the Gamecocks remain a deep and talented squad, poised to make a serious championship push.

A’ja Wilson’s alma mater has arguably made the biggest splash in the transfer portal by landing last season’s top scorer, Ta’Niya Latson. Latson averaged 25.2 points per game while setting career highs in assists (4.6) and steals (2.2). Adding to their firepower, former Mississippi State center Madina Okot will anchor the Gamecocks’ frontcourt. In her 34 starts last season with the Bulldogs, Okot averaged 11.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.

The Gamecocks aren’t short on talent, which is why they enter this season ranked number 2 in the AP Preseason Poll, just behind last season’s champions, UConn. Whether they can get their revenge remains to be seen, but their minimum goal would be to make it to what would be their sixth consecutive Final Four appearance.