The world sees what South Carolina always knew about A’ja Wilson

The Las Vegas Aces have done it again, and once more, it was A'ja Wilson standing tallest. The former South Carolina superstar and four-time WNBA All-Star delivered 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the Aces past the Phoenix Mercury, 97-86, on Friday night at the Mortgage Matchup Center, clinching their third championship in four years. Wilson, already the 2025 league MVP, added another p0iece of history by earning her second WNBA Finals MVP, joining elite company as one of only a handful of players to win both awards in the same season. It marks just the eighth time in league history that the regular-season MVP also captured both the championship and finals MVP honors.

“This team has been through h--- and back,” guard Chelsea Gray told ESPN’s Holly Rowe through tears. “Everyone stepped up; we have the greatest player in the world in A’ja Wilson. Winning takes care of everything.” Wilson didn't just dominate, she willed Las Vegas to victory, closing out the first ever best-of-seven WNBA Finals in just four games. After early-season turbulence and an 11-11 start, the Aces caught fire post-All-Star break, going 19-3 down the stretch and tying the second-longest win streak in the league at 16 games.

From Columbia to the Crown

For Gamecock Nation, it is just another proud moment for the GOAT. Wilson, the greatest player to ever wear garnet and black, continues to redefine what it means to be dominant, consistent, and grounded on purpose. Her South Carolina legacy was buit on resilence and faith, and those traits remain evident on the WNBA's biggest stage.

From leading the Gamecocks to the 2017 NCAA National Championship to becoming the face of the league, Wilson has never forgotten her roots. She remains connected to Columbia, often shouting out Dawn Staley, her alma mater, and the fan base that still chants her name.

As she celebrated with her parents and boyfriend Bam Adebayo, who sat courtside between them, Wilson's smile said it all, the journey from the Palmetto State to WNBA greatness has come full circle.

A’ja Wilson’s Greatness in Perspective

Wilson's rise mirrors the broader surge in women's basketball, from record-breaking NCAA viewership to sold-out WNBA arenas. Her dominance on the court has coincided with the sport's cultural boom, yet she has managed to stay grounded in humility and hard work.

At just 29 years old, Wilson has already:

• A two-time WNBA MVP

• A two-time Finals MVP

• A three-time WNBA champion

• An Olympic gold medalist

• A symbol of what belief and perseverance can build

And as South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley often reminds her former players, legacy isn't about trophies, it's about impact. By that measure, A'ja Wilson's influence extends far beyond Las Vegas or Columbia. She has become the standard for what is possible in women's sports: grace under pressure, excellence with purpose, and leadership that lifts others.

The Dynasty Continues

For the Aces, this title marks a chapter of validation. For Wilson, it is a coronation. Her blend of dominance and consistency has turned Las Vegas into the new gold standard of the WNBA, a dynasty driven by the Gamecock who never stopped believing that she could change the game.

Forever to Thee, indeed.