History of A'ja Wilson in Timeline

A'ja Wilson is an American professional basketball player who plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. She is a prominent figure in women's basketball. Wilson is known for her skills and achievements in the sport.

Sections (4)

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

August 8, 1996: A'ja Wilson Born

On August 8, 1996, A'ja Riyadh Wilson was born. She is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Others born on this day/year

2001: Los Angeles Sparks WNBA championship

In 2001, the Los Angeles Sparks won a WNBA championship

2002: Los Angeles Sparks WNBA championship

In 2002, the Los Angeles Sparks won a WNBA championship

2014: National High School Player of The Year

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

2014: Aces Make Playoffs

The Aces made the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

2016: First 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, leading 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 and Tournament Championship

In 2017, A'ja Wilson once again 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 with a major 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 game against the Connecticut Sun.

June 16, 2018: Career-High Scoring Game

On June 16, 2018, A'ja Wilson scored a career-high 35 points and had 13 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, becoming the second rookie in league history to achieve this feat. She was later 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: Drafted First Overall by Las Vegas Aces

In 2018, A'ja Wilson was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA draft.

June 29, 2019: New Career-High 39 Points

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

2019: Established the A'ja Wilson Foundation

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

2019: NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

In 2019, A'ja Wilson played for the "Home" roster during the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. The roster was made up of celebrities with Carolina roots.

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

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: Tea with A & Phee Podcast

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

2020: First WNBA MVP Award

In 2020, A'ja Wilson won her first WNBA MVP award with the Las Vegas Aces.

2020: Aces Championship Contenders

In the 2020 season, the Aces were championship contenders, finishing the season 18-4 and the number 1 seed, receiving a double bye to the semi-finals. Wilson won the MVP award for the 2020 season.

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 for 2020 Summer Olympics

On June 21, 2021, A'ja Wilson was named to the 12-player roster for Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics. She and Team USA went on to win the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Japan 90–75 in the final. At the conclusion of the tournament, Wilson was named to FIBA's All-Star Five team.

2021: Tea with A & Phee Podcast

In 2021, A'ja Wilson 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 Hoodie and Durag Release

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: Multi-Year Sponsorship Deal with Ruffles

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 Las Vegas Aces to their first title in franchise history.

2022: Second MVP 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. Wilson helped propel the Aces to their second finals appearance in three seasons, where they defeated 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: Ties WNBA's Single Game Record

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, tying the WNBA's single game record.

2023: Repeat as Defensive Player of the Year

Despite another strong 2023 regular season, A'ja Wilson repeated as Defensive Player of the year in 2023.

2023: Second Consecutive WNBA Title

Fueled by Wilson's late 2023 season dominance, the Aces swept their first two 2023 playoff series. Wilson and the Aces overcame a late double-digit Game 4 deficit to defeat the Liberty 70-69 and win their second consecutive WNBA title. Wilson posted averages of 23.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game in the 2023 WNBA Finals and was awarded her first Finals MVP.

2023: Second Consecutive Title and Finals MVP

In 2023, A'ja Wilson led the Aces to their second consecutive title 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 quickly became a The New York Times best seller.

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 14, 2024: Clark's Response to Wilson's Commentary

On May 14, 2024, during a press conference before her WNBA debut, Clark responded to A'ja Wilson's commentary on Clark's rise in popularity, emphasizing opportunities for all players in women's basketball and the importance of parity. She also highlighted her role in growing the game and sharing the love to improve the league.

May 2024: Multi-Year 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 Release with Nike

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: First WNBA Player with 35+ Points, 10+ Rebounds, and 5+ Steals

On June 5, 2024, in the match-up against the Dallas Wings, A'ja 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 and Earns Gold Medal

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. Wilson led the United States to defeat France 67–66 in the final, earning Wilson her second consecutive gold medal. Wilson was named the MVP of the tournament after leading Team USA and named to FIBA's All-Star Five team.

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

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

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.

2024: Working with Nike on Single Sleeve Leggings

In 2024, A'ja Wilson began working with Nike to produce a line of leggings specifically designed for the single sleeve, which she frequently wears on her left leg to manage pain from an injury. The single sleeve has become a fashion and sports trend.