Video: A'ja Wilson, Aces Take Photo with Her WCBB Statue Before WNBA Preseason Game
May 10, 2024
The Las Vegas Aces did not contain their excitement at seeing teammate A'ja Wilson's statue at Colonial Life Arena.
As the defending WNBA Champions prepared for a preseason matchup against the Puerto Rican national team at Wilson's former college arena, her teammates cheered upon seeing the statue dedicated to her and even took a picture with it after arriving at the venue.
Beth Hoole @bethhooleVNLA'ja Wilson told us her <a href="https://twitter.com/LVAces?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LVAces</a> teammates were cheering on the bus when they pulled up and saw her statue in front of the <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecockWBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GamecockWBB</a> arena. They grabbed a picture after practice at CLA ahead of tomorrow's preseason game! Hear from <a href="https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_ajawilson22</a> tonight on <a href="https://twitter.com/foxcarolinanews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@foxcarolinanews</a> <a href="https://t.co/8JmRR9olOI">pic.twitter.com/8JmRR9olOI</a>
The Aces did this prior to the team's practice at the arena, which is the home to the South Carolina Gamecocks basketball program. The game against the Puerto Rican team is scheduled for Saturday.
Wilson's time with the Gamecock's certainly is deserving of a statue at the arena. She averaged 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks across her four seasons with the program. She was named as an All-American four times, won the SEC Player of the Year award three times, won the Wooden and Naismith awards and was named AP Player of the Year in 2017-18.
She also helped lead South Carolina to a National Championship in 2016-17, the first in program history. She is also a native of Columbia and owns the program records for points, blocked shots, free throws made and free throws attempted.
She has also not slowed down since joining the Aces. She has been named an All-Star five times, won the WNBA MVP twice and has led the Aces to two WNBA Championships.
The game at Colonial Life Arena will be the final of the preseason slate for Las Vegas. It will be the second time that Wilson has returned to the venue since turning professional.
Following the game, the Aces will prepare for the season opener against the Phoenix Mercury. That game will tip-off May 14 at 10 P.M. ET.