History of A'ja Wilson in Timeline
A'ja Riyadh Wilson is a highly accomplished American professional basketball player. She gained recognition playing college basketball for the South Carolina Gamecocks, where she led the team to their first NCAA Championship in 2017 and received the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award. Her exceptional skills and achievements earned her numerous accolades, including being the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson's remarkable career continues to flourish in the WNBA, making her a prominent figure in women's basketball.
2001: Last Back-to-Back Championship
The last time a team won back-to-back championships before the Aces in 2023, was the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002.
2002: Los Angeles Sparks Second Consecutive Championship
The Los Angeles Sparks won their second consecutive WNBA championship in 2002.
2014: National High School Player of the Year
A'ja Wilson led Heathwood Hall to the 2014 state championship as a senior. Her performance throughout the season made her the National High School player of the year, a Parade and McDonald's All-American, and the #1 rated ESPN HoopGurlz prospect in 2014.
2014: Aces Return to Playoffs
By the end of the 2019 season, the Aces finished with a winning record and earned the number 4 seed, receiving a bye to the second round, helping the franchise get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
2016: First SEC Player of the Year Award
As a sophomore in 2016, A'ja Wilson won her first SEC Player of the Year award, was a consensus All-American, and led the Gamecocks to a SEC regular season and Tournament Championship.
2017: NCAA Women's Basketball Champion
A'ja Wilson helped lead the South Carolina Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017. She also won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award.
2017: First 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 in the championship game. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
May 2018: Graduates from University of South Carolina
A'ja Wilson graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in mass communications in May 2018.
May 20, 2018: WNBA Debut
A'ja Wilson was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. On May 20, 2018, in her career debut, Wilson scored 14 points along with 10 rebounds in a loss to the Connecticut Sun.
June 12, 2018: Career-High 35 Points
On June 12, 2018, A'ja Wilson scored a career-high 35 points along with 13 rebounds in an overtime victory against the Indiana Fever, becoming the second rookie in league history to score 35 points and grab 10 rebounds.
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: Signs Endorsement Deal with Mountain Dew
In October 2018, A'ja Wilson made history by becoming the first female basketball player to sign an endorsement deal with Mountain Dew.
2018: Best Statistical Season
A'ja Wilson had her best season statistically in 2018 and won all of the National Player of the Year awards. She won a record third 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: National Player of the Year
A'ja Wilson won a record third straight SEC Player of the Year award in 2018, leading South Carolina to a record fourth straight SEC Tournament Championship, becoming the all-time leading scorer in South Carolina women's basketball history. She was also a consensus first-team All-American for the third consecutive season and swept all National Player of the Year awards.
June 29, 2019: New Career-High 39 Points
On June 29, 2019, A'ja Wilson scored a new career-high 39 points in an overtime victory against the Indiana Fever.
2019: Plays in NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
A'ja Wilson participated in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in 2019, representing the "Home" roster, composed of celebrities with Carolina connections. The game took place at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
2019: Establishes A'ja Wilson Foundation and Joins WNBA Social Justice Council
In 2019, A'ja Wilson founded the A'ja Wilson Foundation, dedicated to addressing bullying and dyslexia. That same year, she also became a member of the WNBA Social Justice Council.
December 2020: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 List
In December 2020, A'ja Wilson's achievements were recognized with her inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. She was featured alongside fellow WNBA players Natasha Cloud and Chiney Ogwumike.
2020: First WNBA MVP and Olympic Gold Medal
A'ja Wilson won her first WNBA MVP award and her first Olympic Gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
2020: Partners with Mountain Dew for "Crossover Salon"
During the 2020 WNBA "Wubble" season, A'ja Wilson continued her partnership with Mountain Dew, collaborating on the "Crossover Salon" initiative to provide haircuts for players and coaches within the WNBA isolation zone.
2020: Co-hosts "Tea with A & Phee" Podcast
In 2020, A'ja Wilson, along with Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, began hosting "Tea with A & Phee," a podcast centered around the WNBA. The podcast was produced by Just Women's Sports.
2020: Championship Contenders
The Aces were championship contenders in the 2020 season, finishing with the number 1 seed after a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite advancing to the Finals, the Aces would be defeated in a three-game sweep by the Seattle Storm. A'ja Wilson would end up winning the MVP award for the 2020 season.
January 18, 2021: Statue Dedication
On January 18, 2021, as part of the university's observance of Martin Luther King Day, a statue of A'ja Wilson was dedicated near the main entrance to Carolina's basketball home of Colonial Life Arena.
April 2021: Launches Burnt Wax Candle Company
A'ja Wilson expanded her entrepreneurial ventures in April 2021 by starting Burnt Wax Candle Company, a luxury candle line.
2021: Continues "Tea with A & Phee" Podcast
A'ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier continued their podcast, "Tea with A & Phee," in 2021, providing insights and discussions about the WNBA.
2021: Designs Limited-Edition Mountain Dew Apparel
In the summer of 2021, A'ja Wilson designed and released a limited-edition Mountain Dew hoodie and durag to commemorate her 2020 WNBA MVP award, furthering her partnership with the brand.
August 2022: Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship Deal with Ruffles
In August 2022, A'ja Wilson made history as the first female athlete to secure a multi-year sponsorship deal with Ruffles, which included the release of her signature chip flavor, Smoky BBQ Ruffles Ridge Twists.
2022: First WNBA Championship
A'ja Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history in 2022.
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
A'ja Wilson signed a contract extension with the Aces to keep herself in Las Vegas on June 30, 2023.
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 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 Championship and Finals MVP
A'ja Wilson and the Aces overcame a late double-digit Game 4 deficit to defeat the New York Liberty and win their second consecutive WNBA title, the first back-to-back WNBA championship since 2001 and 2002. Wilson was awarded her first Finals MVP for her impressive performance in the Aces-Liberty series.
2023: Defensive Player of the Year
Despite a strong 2023 regular season, A'ja Wilson fell short of garnering back-to-back MVP honors, but repeated as Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
February 6, 2024: Publishes First Book, "Dear Black Girls"
A'ja Wilson added "author" to her list of accomplishments with the publication of her first book, "Dear Black Girls," on February 6, 2024.
April 2024: Named to Time 100 Most Influential People
A'ja Wilson's influence extended beyond the basketball court in April 2024 when Time magazine included her in their annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
May 13, 2024: Makes Statement on Race and Marketability in the WNBA
On May 13, 2024, during an interview with the Associated Press, A'ja Wilson sparked controversy by suggesting that the high marketability of players like Caitlin Clark is tied to their race. Wilson claimed that corporations view white athletes as more marketable, impacting sponsorship opportunities for Black players despite their hard work and achievements. She highlighted the disparity in endorsement deals, pointing to Caitlin Clark's eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike, which includes a signature shoe line, a rarity among active WNBA players, with the other four players holding such deals being white.
May 2024: Signs Endorsement Deal with Gatorade and Nike Sneaker Deal
May 2024 marked a significant month for A'ja Wilson's brand partnerships. She signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Gatorade, appearing in their "IT Hasn't Changed" campaign. Additionally, Wilson and Nike announced her as the 13th WNBA player to design and release her signature sneaker, the A'One.
June 5, 2024: First Player with 35+ Points, 10+ Rebounds, and 5 Steals in a Single Game
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.
