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. She is known for her exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. Wilson's career is marked by her achievements in professional basketball.

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 is now 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: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

In 2023, Wilson and the Aces won their second consecutive WNBA title, the first back-to-back WNBA championship since the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2001 and 2002.

2002: Last Back-to-Back WNBA Championship

In 2023, Wilson and the Aces won their second consecutive WNBA title, the first back-to-back WNBA championship since the Los Angeles Sparks repeated as champs in 2001 and 2002.

2014: State Championship and National Player of the Year

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

2014: Aces Return to Playoffs

The 2019 season helped the franchise get back to 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, also winning the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award.

2017: SEC Regular Season, Tournament Championship and National 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: Signs 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 Scoring Game

On June 16, 2018, A'ja Wilson scored a career-high of 35 points along with 13 rebounds in a 101–92 overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, becoming the second rookie in league history to score 35 points and grab 10 rebounds. She was also voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game and later named WNBA Rookie of the Year.

August 2018: Signs 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 and won all of the National player of the year awards. She 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 All-American Honors

In 2018, A'ja Wilson won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award, led South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, became the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history, and was a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season. Wilson swept all National Player of the Year awards (Wade, AP, Honda, USBWA, Wooden, and Naismith) as the best player in women's college basketball.

2018: Drafted First Overall by Las Vegas Aces

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

June 29, 2019: New Career-High Scoring Game

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: Establishment of 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" 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: Podcast Tea with A & Phee

In 2020 and 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.

2020: First WNBA MVP Award

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

2020: Aces Finals Appearance and MVP Award

In the 2020 season, A'ja Wilson led the Aces to the WNBA Finals where they were defeated by the Seattle Storm, and Wilson won the MVP award for the 2020 season.

April 2021: Starts 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: Podcast Tea with A & Phee

In 2020 and 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 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

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: WNBA Championship and MVP Award

In 2022, A'ja Wilson helped lead the Las Vegas Aces to their first title in franchise history and won her second WNBA MVP award.

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 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 and is one of three 50-plus point performances in WNBA history.

2023: Second Consecutive WNBA Title

Fueled by Wilson's late 2023 season dominance, the Aces swept their first two 2023 playoff series against the Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings, respectively, and won their second consecutive WNBA title.

2023: Defensive Player of the Year

In 2023, A'ja Wilson repeated as Defensive Player of the Year.

2023: Second Consecutive WNBA Title and Finals MVP

In 2023, A'ja Wilson repeated as champion with the Aces and earned Finals MVP.

February 2024: Publishes "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 One of 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: Response to Commentary on Clark's Popularity

On May 14, 2024, during a press conference before Caitlin Clark's professional WNBA debut, Clark was asked by Fox News Digital to respond to A'ja Wilson's commentary on Clark's rapid rise in popularity in relation to her race. Clark stated that there are opportunities for every player in women's basketball and that parity in women's basketball is making more people want to come watch it. She added that she's had fun being in the spotlight and helping grow the game.

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 Announcement 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: Record-Setting Performance

On June 5, 2024, in a 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

In June 2024, A'ja Wilson was named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, alongside fellow Aces teammates, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young. Wilson led the United States with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds 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. She was also named to FIBA's All-Star Five team.

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

On July 7, 2024, A'ja Wilson became the Las Vegas Aces' all-time leading scorer in a game 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.

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 fashion statement she is known for.