A’ja Wilson keeps adding to her incredible trophy case, and this time the honor comes from where it all began. South Carolina announced that one of its greatest basketball players in program history will join the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame, capping off what’s already been a spectacular year for the WNBA superstar.
Wilson’s Hall of Fame selection adds another milestone to her remarkable 2024 achievements. The Las Vegas Aces forward recently captured her third WNBA MVP award while helping Team USA secure Olympic gold in Paris, making this recognition from her alma mater feel perfectly timed.
How Will South Carolina Honor Its Basketball Legend?
The Gamecocks made their announcement through social media, with reporter Lulu Kesin breaking the news on X.
“A’ja Wilson will be inducted into the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 23,” Kesin posted, giving fans the date they’ve been waiting for.
A’ja Wilson will be inducted into the Gamecocks Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 23
The 2025 Hall of Fame class will also be honored during the football game vs. Alabama on Oct. 25. https://t.co/fahQEQv86T
— Lulu Kesin (@LuluKesin) August 4, 2025
The celebration extends beyond the induction ceremony itself. “The 2025 Hall of Fame class will also be honored during the football game vs. Alabama on October 25,” Kesin added, ensuring Wilson receives recognition in front of the massive crowd that Gamecock football brings to Williams-Brice Stadium.
Wilson won’t be entering the Hall of Fame alone. South Carolina’s official athletics account revealed the complete 2025 induction class, featuring six accomplished former Gamecocks. Wilson joins Brandon Hulko (men’s diving), Akram Mahmoud (men’s swimming), Paul Jubb (men’s tennis), Mollie Patton (women’s soccer), and Natasha Hastings (women’s track and field) as the 2025 inductees.
The timing carries special significance, coming exactly seven years after Wilson was selected first overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. That moment launched a professional career that has exceeded even the highest expectations set during her legendary college days.
What Makes Wilson’s College Legacy So Dominant?
South Carolina’s decision to honor Wilson was essentially automatic, considering no player in program history accomplished what she did during her four seasons in Columbia. Her impact transformed the Gamecocks from a solid program into a national championship contender under Dawn Staley’s guidance.
The numbers tell the story of complete dominance. Wilson finished as South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points, a record that may stand for decades. Over her four-year career, she averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 55% from the field.
However, Wilson’s greatest moment came in 2017 when she led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA National Championship. She delivered when it mattered most in the title game against Mississippi State, recording 23 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks to earn Most Outstanding Player honors for the tournament.
Her senior season represented the pinnacle of college basketball excellence. Wilson became the unanimous National Player of the Year, sweeping every major award, including the Naismith Trophy, Wooden Award, and Wade Trophy. No voter could find a reason to choose anyone else.
The professional success that followed has been equally spectacular. Wilson has collected three MVP awards and two WNBA championships since joining the Las Vegas Aces as the first overall pick in 2018. She made history in 2024 as the first player ever to score over 1,000 points in a single WNBA season.
This Hall of Fame recognition joins another major honor South Carolina bestowed on Wilson earlier this year. In February 2025, the university officially retired her number 22 during an emotional ceremony that brought Wilson back to Colonial Life Arena.
For Wilson, this Hall of Fame induction represents more than individual recognition. Her journey from college star to WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist showcases remarkable greatness, yet she has consistently honored her Gamecock roots throughout her rise to basketball superstardom. Now, South Carolina gets to officially honor the player who changed everything for the program.