South Carolina Athletics recently honored women’s basketball legend A’ja Wilson by installing a statue of her in front of the Colonial Life Arena.
The statue, which stands over 11 feet tall and sits atop a four-foot granite base, celebrates Wilson's remarkable career and contributions to the university.
A’ja Wilson, a native of Hopkins, S.C., achieved numerous milestones during her time with the Gamecocks. She led the team to the 2017 NCAA National Championship, the 2015 NCAA Final Four, three SEC regular-season championships, and four SEC Tournament titles.
Her outstanding performance on the court and her exemplary conduct off the court have made her an exceptional representative of Gamecock Athletics and the University of South Carolina.
The bronze statue was made possible by generous private donations from the late Dodie Anderson, Darius Rucker, and Dawn Staley. Renowned sculptor Julie Rotblatt-Amrany of The Fine Art Studio of Rotblatt-Amrany in Highwood, Ill., crafted the figure.
This studio is known for creating athletic statues, including those of iconic figures such as Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Scottie Pippen. The development of Wilson's statue took nearly a year, and the installation process began on January 14th.
Wilson's statue holds significant importance as it is only one of three on the University of South Carolina campus that represents a specific individual.
She joins Richard T. Greener, the first African American faculty member at the University, and Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers as the only individuals to be honored with statues on campus.
Even before A’ja Wilson graduated from the university and became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces, discussions about erecting a statue in her honor had already begun.
Her remarkable achievements during her time with the Gamecocks, including her individual accolades and the program’s highest team accomplishments, quickly solidified the decision to create the statue.
Dawn Staley, head coach of the South Carolina women’s basketball team, emphasized Wilson's impact both on and off the court. Staley expressed that the statue serves as a powerful symbol for every young person, particularly young black girls, showcasing what can be achieved through hard work, passion, and dedication.
During her four-year career at South Carolina (2015-2018), A’ja Wilson achieved numerous accolades. She became the program’s first National Player of the Year, securing the title from every entity that bestows it annually. Wilson was also South Carolina’s first four-time All-American and a four-time First-Team All-SEC selection. She made history as the first three-time SEC Player of the Year in league history (2016, 2017, 2018) and was the inaugural winner of the Lisa Leslie Award in 2018.
Following her college career, Wilson transitioned to the WNBA where she continued to make a significant impact. She was named Rookie of the Year and earned All-Star honors in her first season with the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. Two years later, she was named WNBA MVP in 2020.
A’ja Wilson's contributions extend beyond her collegiate and professional careers. She has been a key figure within USA Basketball, contributing to gold medal victories in various international competitions. Her achievements include gold medals in the 2013 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2014 FIBA U18 Americas Cup, 2015 FIBA U19 World Cup, and 2018 FIBA World Cup. Currently, she is part of the USA Basketball National Team pool from which the 2021 Olympic Team will be selected.
The installation of A’ja Wilson's statue symbolizes not only her remarkable basketball career but also her impact as a role model for aspiring athletes. It stands as a testament to her dedication, perseverance, and indelible mark on the University of South Carolina and women’s basketball as a whole.
