History of A'ja Wilson in Timeline

A'ja Wilson is a prominent American professional basketball player currently playing for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. Her career is defined by her skill and impact on the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

August 8, 1996: A'ja Wilson's Birth

On August 8, 1996, A'ja Riyadh Wilson was born. She would later become a professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

In 2001, the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2001 and 2002, which was the last back-to-back WNBA championship before Wilson and the Aces won their second consecutive WNBA title.

2002: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

In 2002, the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2001 and 2002, which was the last back-to-back WNBA championship before Wilson and the Aces won their second consecutive WNBA title.

2014: State Championship and National High School Player of The Year

In 2014, A'ja Wilson led Heathwood Hall to the state championship as a senior. She was named the National High School Player of The Year in 2014, a Parade and McDonald's All-American, and the #1 rated ESPN HoopGurlz prospect.

2014: Aces back to the playoffs

In 2014, the Aces made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

2016: SEC Player of the Year Award

In 2016, as a sophomore, A'ja Wilson won her first SEC Player of the Year award and was a consensus All-American. Wilson led the Gamecocks to a SEC regular season and Tournament Championship.

2017: NCAA Women's Basketball Championship

In 2017, A'ja Wilson helped lead the South Carolina Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship and won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award.

2017: SEC Regular Season, Tournament Championship and National Championship

In 2017, A'ja Wilson led the Gamecocks to a SEC regular season and Tournament championship, and went on to win the school's first national championship with a victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

May 2018: Graduation from the University of South Carolina

In May 2018, A'ja Wilson graduated from the University of South Carolina, where she majored in mass communications.

May 2018: Signed with Nike

In May 2018, A'ja Wilson signed with Nike.

May 21, 2018: WNBA Career Debut

On May 21, 2018, A'ja Wilson made her WNBA career debut, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a 101–65 loss to the Connecticut Sun.

June 16, 2018: Career-High 35 Points

On June 16, 2018, A'ja Wilson scored a career-high 35 points along with 13 rebounds in a 101–92 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, becoming the second rookie in league history to achieve this feat. She was also voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game and named WNBA Rookie of the Year.

August 2018: Signed with Shaanxi Red Wolves

In August 2018, A'ja Wilson signed with the Shaanxi Red Wolves of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association for the 2018–19 off-season.

October 2018: Endorsement Deal with Mountain Dew

In October 2018, A'ja Wilson signed an endorsement deal with Mountain Dew, becoming the first female basketball player to sign with the brand.

2018: National Player of the Year Awards

In 2018, A'ja Wilson had her best season statistically, won all of the National player of the year awards, won a record 3rd straight SEC Player of the Year award, and was also a Consensus All-American for the third straight year. Wilson finished her college career at South Carolina as the all-time leading scorer for the school.

2018: SEC Player of the Year and WNBA Draft

In 2018, A'ja Wilson won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, became South Carolina's all-time leading scorer, was a consensus first-team All-American, swept all National Player of the Year awards, and was drafted first overall by the Aces in the 2018 WNBA draft.

June 29, 2019: New Career-High 39 Points

On June 29, 2019, A'ja Wilson scored a new career-high of 39 points in a 102–97 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever.

2019: Establishment of the A'ja Wilson Foundation

In 2019, A'ja Wilson established the A'ja Wilson Foundation, which advocates for preventing bullying and education around dyslexia. She is also a member of the WNBA Social Justice Council.

March 2020: Postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics

In late March 2020, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government postponed the 2020 Summer Olympics until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 2020: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

In December 2020, A'ja Wilson was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 alongside fellow WNBA players, Natasha Cloud and Chiney Ogwumike.

2020: "Crossover Salon" Creation with Mountain Dew

During the 2020 Wubble season, A'ja Wilson continued her partnership with Mountain Dew and helped create the "Crossover Salon" to provide haircuts for players and coaches in the WNBA isolation zone.

2020: First WNBA MVP and Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, A'ja Wilson won her first WNBA MVP award and her first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2020: MVP Award

In 2020, A'ja Wilson won the MVP award for the 2020 season. The season was delayed and shortened to 22 games in a bubble at IMG Academy due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aces finished the season 18-4 and the number 1 seed, receiving a double bye to the semi-finals.

2020: Hosted Podcast Tea with A & Phee

In 2020, she and Minnesota Lynx forward, Napheesa Collier, hosted a podcast about the WNBA, Tea with A & Phee, produced by Just Women's Sports.

April 2021: Started Burnt Wax Candle Company

In April 2021, A'ja Wilson started Burnt Wax Candle Company, a luxury candle line.

June 21, 2021: Named to Team USA Olympic Roster

On June 21, 2021, A'ja Wilson was named to the 12-player roster for Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

2021: Hosted Podcast Tea with A & Phee

In 2021, she and Minnesota Lynx forward, Napheesa Collier, hosted a podcast about the WNBA, Tea with A & Phee, produced by Just Women's Sports.

2021: Limited-Edition Mountain Dew Hoodie and Durag

In the summer of 2021 before the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game, A'ja Wilson designed and released a limited-edition Mountain Dew hoodie and durag commemorating her 2020 MVP award.

August 2022: Sponsorship deal with Ruffles and Signature Chip Release

In August 2022, A'ja Wilson became the first female athlete to sign a multi-year sponsorship deal with Ruffles and released a signature chip, Smoky BBQ Ruffles Ridge Twists.

2022: First Title in Franchise History

In 2022, A'ja Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history.

2022: Second MVP Award and First Defensive Player of the Year Award

In 2022, A'ja Wilson won her second MVP and first Defensive Player of the Year award, averaging 19.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks while leading the league with 17 double-doubles. Wilson helped propel the Aces to their second finals appearance in three seasons, where they would defeat the Connecticut Sun in four games, giving Wilson her first championship.

June 30, 2023: Contract Extension with the Aces

On June 30, 2023, A'ja Wilson signed a contract extension with the Aces to remain in Las Vegas.

August 22, 2023: New Career High in Points

On August 22, 2023, A'ja Wilson achieved a new career high in points, scoring 53 points along with 7 rebounds in a 112–100 victory over the Atlanta Dream. Her 53-point showing tied the WNBA's single game record.

2023: Defensive Player of the Year

Despite a strong 2023 regular season and being amongst the WNBA leaders in points, rebounds and blocks per game, Wilson fell short of garnering back-to-back MVP honors. She did, however, repeat as Defensive Player of the year in 2023.

2023: Second Consecutive WNBA Title and Finals MVP

Fueled by Wilson's late 2023 season dominance, the Aces swept their first two 2023 playoff series and carried that momentum into the Finals against the New York Liberty, winning their second consecutive WNBA title. Wilson was awarded her first Finals MVP for her impressive performance in the Aces-Liberty series.

2023: Second Title in Franchise History and Finals MVP

In 2023, A'ja Wilson repeated the feat and led the Aces to their second consecutive title in franchise history while earning Finals MVP.

February 2024: Publication of Dear Black Girls

In February 2024, A'ja Wilson published her first book, Dear Black Girls, which became a The New York Times best seller that same month.

Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You

Check it on Amazon

April 2024: Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People

In April 2024, Time named A'ja Wilson in their 2024 list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

May 2024: Endorsement Deal with Gatorade

In May 2024, A'ja Wilson signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Gatorade and was featured in the company's "IT Hasn't Changed" ad campaign, a revival of its late 1990s "Is It In You?" campaign.

May 2024: Signature Sneaker with Nike: A'One

Six years later in May 2024, A'ja Wilson and Nike announced that she would be the 13th player in WNBA history to design and release a signature sneaker, the A'One.

June 5, 2024: Historic Performance Against Dallas Wings

On June 5, 2024, in the match-up against the Dallas Wings, Wilson became the first player to have at least 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ steals in a single game in WNBA history.

June 2024: Named to US Olympic Team for 2024 Summer Olympics

In June 2024, A'ja Wilson was again named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, alongside fellow Aces teammates. Wilson led the United States to defeat France 67–66 in the final, earning Wilson her second consecutive gold medal and the United States' eighth consecutive gold medal. Wilson was named the MVP of the tournament after leading Team USA in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, field goals made, free throws made, and efficiency.

July 7, 2024: Aces' All-Time Leading Scorer

On July 7, 2024, A'ja Wilson became the Aces' all-time leading scorer in franchise history in a matchup against the Dallas Wings.

July 2024: Cover Athlete for NBA 2K25

In July 2024, A'ja Wilson was named the co-cover athlete for the All-Star edition (alongside Jayson Tatum) and solo cover athlete for the WNBA edition of NBA 2K25, a popular video game, making Wilson the first WNBA player to be featured on a cover of a global edition of the game.

September 15, 2024: First WNBA Player to Score 1,000 Points in a Season

On September 15, 2024, A'ja Wilson became the first WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a season, achieving this milestone with 29 points in the Las Vegas Aces' 84–71 win over the Connecticut Sun.