South Carolina Basketball: A’ja Wilson set as captain of the All-Star Game, is leading vote-getter
By Kevin Miller
It has come as no shock to South Carolina basketball fans in recent years whenever Aja Wilson has won awards for her play on the court. Wilson is the reigning MVP of the WNBA, bringing home the trophy twice, and she has been an All-Star every season she has been in the league.
This year, though, Aja Wilson is the leading vote-getter of any player in the WNBA All-Star Game voting. She now has received this distinction two years in a row and will have the chance to play in the game in front of her home fans at Michelob Ultra Arean in Las Vegas, Nevada (Wilson plays for the defending champion Las Vegas Aces).
As the top player in All-Star Game voting, Wilson has the honor of being one of two captains for the exhibition game along with Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty. The two captains will select teams from the eight other starters who have already been voted in and the 12 reserves who will be selected by the WNBA head coaches.
Speaking of the other eight starters, former South Carolina basketball star Aliyah Boston will also be a starter in the All-Star Game. Both Wilson and Boston have been excellent in the early goings of the 2023 WNBA season.
Wilson is averaging just shy of 20 points and 10 rebounds each night (19.3 and 9.4, respectively) while adding over 2 blocks per game. Also as impressive, Boston has put up great numbers, as well, tallying 15.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a league-leading 65.1% shooting efficiency.
Fellow Gamecocks Allisha Gray has a chance to be selected as an All-Star. Gray is averaging over 15 points per game on over 50% shooting efficiency while also adding more than 5 rebounds and 2 assists each night.
The All-Star Game will be held on July 15th at 8:30 EST on ABC and the ESPN App.