COLUMBIA, S.C. — The University of South Carolina (USC) retired the No. 22 jersey of former Gamecock women’s basketball star A’ja Wilson.
University leaders hosted the event in a pregame ceremony just before the noon tip-off against Auburn at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.
Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA National Championship in 2017. She holds 22 program records, including all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points.
Women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley and Wilson’s family joined her on the court as she spoke to the crowd in attendance.
“To have my jersey retired at the University of South Carolina, the place where my dreams began, is an honor I can hardly put into words,” Wilson thanked her coaches, teammates, parents and the fans. “One of the greatest honors of my life was representing garnet and black every night.”
Wilson graduated from USC in 2018 as the program’s first four-time All-American and National Player of the Year. She also became the first player in league history to win SEC Player of the year three times.
Members of the South Carolina Athletics Department, University Board of Trustees and the USC Lettermen’s Association made the decision to retire Wilson’s jersey.
According to the university, factors for jersey retirement include school record holders, post-season national and conference recognitions and graduating the school in good academic standing.