Wilson Chases Olympics Dream and Enjoys Reunion with Coach Staley
There isn’t much that former South Carolina basketball standout A’ja Wilson (2014-2018) hasn’t accomplished on the hardwood, but she’s hoping to add something new. Having earned National High School Player of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, SEC Player of the Year (three times), SEC Defensive Player of the Year (twice), consensus National Player of the Year, National Champion, WNBA Rookie of the Year, and WNBA Player of the Year honors, as well as many other national and conference awards and accolades, Wilson is in search of Olympic gold as part of the United States Women’s National Team in Tokyo.
“It would honestly mean the world,” Wilson said of taking home the gold medal. “Having that title added to my name would truly be something special. We’re going to compete for something that’s bigger than us.”
As part of Team USA, Wilson is reunited with her former collegiate coach, Dawn Staley, who has won Olympic gold as a player and an assistant coach and now also seeks her first Olympic gold as a head coach. Wilson has enjoyed a tremendous relationship with Staley from the days she was recruited to play for the Gamecocks, her time on the floor at South Carolina, and now as a professional. The two continue to joke good-naturedly in-person and in social media.
“I love her from the bottom of my heart,” Wilson said. “That’s my second mom, through and through. I love being back on the court with her.
“I’m excited to see her on this side. We used to hate, as (collegiate) players, when she was with Team USA because she would come back and think we were these professional athletes. Now, to be on the other side of it, I’m super-excited. I hope she cuts me a little slack, but I doubt it.”
“I’d be blessed to have a gold medal next to my name along with Coach Staley, my teammates, and everyone else involved.”
Wilson still has all the respect in the world for Staley but can’t resist an occasional jab.
“Coach Staley is my favorite athlete ever, even though she’s not an athlete anymore,” Wilson said with a grin and then continued with a giggle. “When I was in college, she would always say I was average, and that I would blend in, but not anymore honey!”
The U.S. is the heavy favorite to win the gold medal at the Olympics, but Wilson knows that Staley and her teammates aren’t taking anything for granted. Wilson noted that her own game has evolved since her previous experiences playing under Staley, and she enjoys the opportunity to play under her guidance once again.
“She doesn’t have to break things down now as much as she did when I was in college,” Wilson said. “She sees that I know the game a little better. There would be times in college where I would be like, alright I have no idea what you just said! I think it catches her off guard now because she still sees me as that young girl that she recruited, but it’s pretty cool to grow alongside of her. She has groomed me for this moment and helped me get here, both physically and mentally. I’m glad to share this moment with her.
“I’d be blessed to have a gold medal next to my name along with Coach Staley, my teammates, and everyone else involved.”
Wilson continues to be a role model for young girls, and she hopes the sport of women’s basketball will continue to market the success stories in the WNBA and elsewhere.
“I’m a firm believer in the idea that if you can see her, you can be her. We’re in a league (WNBA) where so many women bring so many different things. We’re businesswomen. We’re business owners. We do so many different things, and we’re bad*** on the court.”
Team USA plays its first game of the Olympics on Tuesday, July 27, against Nigeria.
