A’ja Wilson stood in tears as her No. 22 jersey was raised to the rafters of South Carolina’s Colonial Life Arena.
The reigning WNBA MVP’s alma mater retired her jersey before the Gamecocks’ 83-66 win over Auburn on Sunday.
While it was clear this honor would come, South Carolina requires a five-year waiting period before retiring a player’s jersey. This is why the Gamecocks already built an 11-foot bronze statue of Wilson outside their arena in 2021.
Wilson, the first No. 1 recruit to attend South Carolina, went on to become the first player in the program’s history to be selected first overall in the WNBA draft. She led the Gamecocks to their first national championship in 2017 and still holds the program’s record for most career points with 2,389.
Here’s what she said in her emotional jersey retirement speech:
“Thank you all so much for being here today. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and joy to have my jersey retired at the University of South Carolina, the place where my dreams began. It’s an honor I can hardly put into words.
First, I want to thank my coaches, teammates, and everyone who was a part of this journey. You pushed me to be my best, and the bonds we created here are unbreakable. I cherish every moment and every memory we made together.
To the incredible fans, you filled this arena with energy and passion, making every game an unforgettable experience. It’s a privilege to be a Gamecock, to be a part of this community. One of the greatest honors of my life was representing Garnet and Black every night.
Columbia, South Carolina, is my home, and it shaped me. Not just as an athlete, but as a person. As I look up in the rafters and see my jersey, I’m reminded how important it is to chase your dreams without fear.
And the person who taught me that, and is still teaching me that, is Dawn Staley. Thank you, Coach, for seeing the light in me even when I didn’t see it in myself, and for showing me that it’s not about the destination. It’s the journey, and the people you meet along the way.
I wouldn’t be who I am today without the love, support, and sacrifices of so many people. It’s a blessing to have those most special to me courtside today, especially my favorite Olympian from out of town.
There would be no me without Eva and Roscoe. Mom and dad, there aren’t enough thank you’s I can say. But in everything that I do, I hope I make you proud.
Thank you all for believing in me and making this moment possible. Go ‘cocks.”
