April 16, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley announced that the top recruit in the 2014 class, A’ja Wilson (Columbia, S.C./Heathwood Hall), has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University and play for the Gamecocks. Wilson will have four years of eligibility beginning with the 2014-15 academic year. The addition improved the Gamecocks’ recruiting class ranking to No. 2 in the nation.

“I am overjoyed with A’ja and her family joining our Gamecock family,” Staley said. “She represents South Carolina on so many levels, and we’re so glad the entire state will see her career unfold on our campus. It truly is a great day to be a Gamecocks, and there’s no place like home.”

The top recruit of the class, Wilson capped her high school career by leading Heathwood to the independent schools Class AAA state title. The 6-foot-5 post player averaged 34.4 points, 13.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocks en route to a treasure trove of accolades including Naismith National High School Player of the Year and WBCA Player of the Year and Parade Girls Basketball Player of the Year. She was named to the USA Today’s All-USA Girls Basketball Team and posted 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks in the McDonald’s All-America game in Chicago earlier this month. Wilson was one of just three players from the Class of 2014 selected for the USA Basketball U19 World Championship team. She averaged 10.9 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds in helping that team to a gold medal.

Wilson joins a recruiting class already ranked fourth in the nation with Doniyah Cliney (Newark, N.J./Malcolm X Shabazz), Bianca Cuevas (Bronx, N.Y./Nazareth Regional), Kaydra Duckett (Columbia, S.C./Dreher) and Jatarie White (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day), who signed in the fall.