A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces
Sports Dynasties Still Exist
A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces won their third Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) championship on Friday, October 10, 2025. In a time when professional sports leagues are trying to create more parity, the Aces prove that dynasties still exist.
But where would the Aces be without the leadership and athletic capabilities of A’ja Wilson? Likewise, where would A’ja be without the challenges and support system that have helped her become the WNBA superstar she is today?
To learn more about A’ja’s story, we will examine her family background, childhood struggles, and athletic accomplishments. I’ll also highlight how her faith has helped her find courage, bless others, and become a woman worthy of praise.
A’ja Wilson from Hopkins, South Carolina
The Wilson Family
A’ja Riyadh Wilson was born in Hopkins, South Carolina, on August 8, 1996. She is the only daughter of Roscoe and Eva Wilson.
Roscoe Wilson also has an older son from a previous marriage, Renaldo. These three individuals are A’ja’s biggest fans and are her support system.
Her mother helped her become a well-rounded individual by ensuring she got good grades and participated in many activities outside of sports. Some of A’ja’s activities were ballet, becoming a cadet with the Girl Scouts, karate, and playing the piano.
Along with raising her daughter, Eva worked as a court stenographer with the Richland County School District.
While Eva handled academics and non-athletic activities, Roscoe is responsible for guiding A’ja on her journey to become an athlete. Roscoe was able to do this because of his athletic background.
He played basketball for Bennet College, a historically Black college in South Carolina. After playing professionally overseas for a decade, he was later inducted into the Bennet College Hall of Fame.
He was the first Bennet College athlete to play professionally overseas. After retiring, Roscoe spent his time serving as a coach for several sports.
Coaching helped Roscoe develop a passion for mentoring kids he would later use working in youth services as the Vice President of AMIkids and CEO of the RC Wilson Group.
His son Renaldo followed in his footsteps by playing basketball in college and overseas. Renaldo also uses his musical talent through DJing under the moniker DJ Puff.
Outside of being a DJ, Renaldo cherishes his role as a big brother. He’s intentional about being present to cheer on A’ja and celebrating her success as if it were his accomplishment.
A’ja Hated Basketball?
While Renaldo and Roscoe loved basketball, A’ja was more concerned about being a normal teenager. A’ja began playing the sport as a ten-year-old after her father and his friend started an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team.
When A’ja was thirteen, her father made her attend a one-day basketball camp at the start of summer vacation. A’ja hated the idea and attended begrudgingly.
Fortunately for A’ja, her father’s push was God’s way of ordering her steps and offering an unknown glimpse into the future. This glimpse appeared at the end of the camp as she would receive a participation from her future coach, Dawn Staley.
During a brief chat after the camp, Staley talked to A’ja and promised to remember her name. This promise would be fulfilled in such a way during A’ja’s college career that the two still have a great relationship today.
But before highlighting A’ja’s collegiate success, let’s continue with three key factors from her upbringing.
First, her father didn’t just guide her athletically by making her join his AAU team or attend a basketball camp. He played an active role by relishing his other athletic commitments, becoming her full-time coach.
This is a common decision, as tennis star Coco Gauff was coached by her dad, and Kobe Bryant coached his daughter Gianna.
Roscoe’s commitment empowers a once uninterested, unskilled teenager to become a South Carolina legend. His commitment also shows how listening to a father’s instruction will lead to a long and successful life.
A’ja Attends Heathwood Hall Episcopal
As a Heathwood Hall Episcopal School student, A’ja began experiencing a successful life through basketball. Since Heathwood is a private school, A’ja was able to play on the girls’ varsity team from 8th through 12th grade.
After five years, she played in 119 games, earning these career totals,
- 24.7 points
- 13.7 rebounds.
- 2.5 assist.
- 3.4 steals.
- 4.3 blocks.
Along with these career totals, she earned several awards, including
- Guiding Heathwood to the 2014 state championship in 2013-14.
- Ranking as the # 1 recruit in the nation by espnW HoopGurlz (Class of 2014).
- 2014 McDonald’s All-America.
- 2014 National High School Player of the Year (WBCA, Naismith, Parade).
- 2014 Parade All-America.
- Three-time South Carolina Independent Schools Association Player of the Year.
Along with being a three-time player of the year, A’ja also played volleyball at Heathwood. While A’ja experienced athletic success as a Heathwood student, she struggled socially and academically.
Socially, A’ja dealt with racism and acceptance issues, being one of the only Black girls in her school. Thankfully, A’ja was able to make friends. However, she had a challenging secret she had to keep from them. Academically, reading was a weakness, making learning difficult. Her parents and teachers assumed she was lazy and not working hard.
Their perceptions changed once she was tested and diagnosed with dyslexia as a sophomore. The diagnosis allowed her to get the resources necessary to improve academically.
Her academic improvement and athletic skills earned her a scholarship to the University of South Carolina.
From College Girl to WNBA Super Star
A Conquering Lady Gamecock
Attending the University of South Carolina became a full-circle moment as A’ja would reconnect with coach Dawn Staley.
Staley proved to be more than a coach by empowering A’Ja to face her challenges with dyslexia. She did this by having A’ja read scriptures to the team before every game.
I’m unsure what verses A’ja read, but Coach Staley’s approach shows God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses. Her approach was also evangelistic, as hearing scripture plants seeds of faith the Lady Gamecocks could cling to for their entire lives.
Hearing scripture may have given the Lady Gamecocks the confidence to win their first NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship in school history.
Along with winning an NCAA championship, A’ja acquired the following career totals in 138
- 2,389 points.
- 1,195 rebounds
- 363 blocks.
- 191 assists
- 136 steals.
- 55% Field Goal percentage.
A great field percentage and other stats helped A’ja win several awards including
- 5x SEC Freshman of the Week.
- 3x SEC Player of the Year.
- Consensus National Player of the Year.
- The Naismith Trophy.
- The Wooden Award.
A’ja Wilson, #1 Pick of the Las Vegas Aces
Thanks to A’ja’s award-winning efforts, the Las Vegas Aces drafted her #1 overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. In eight seasons with the Aces, she has acquired the following regular season and playoff combined career totals
- 7,088 points.
- 3,038 rebounds.
- 744 assists.
- 656 blocks
- 401 steals.
A’ja’s stellar play has led the Aces to three WNBA championships. She has also earned numerous awards including
- 2018 Rookie of the Year.
- 7x WNBA All-Star.
- 4x Regular Season MVP.
- 3x Defensive Player of the Year.
- 2x Finals MVP.
A’ja Wilson an International Sensation?
Winning awards like the WNBA Finals MVP has allowed A’ja to play for the USA Women’s National Team. In international competition, A’ja has won
- 2 Olympic gold medals.
- 2 FIBA World Cups.
- 2 FIBA U19 World Cups.
- 1 2014 FIBA Americas U18 World Cup.
While victorious in international competitions, A’ja didn’t successfully follow in her father’s footsteps by having a long career with an overseas team.
After playing only one season in2019, A’ja stopped playing overseas after difficulties adjusting to that style, choosing to focus on her commitment to the Aces.
How A’ja Wilson Models Proverbs 31:10-31
A Girlfriend’s Relationship Advice
A’ja’s commitment to the Aces and the game of basketball is inspiring. But even more impressive is how she embodies the woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. Unlike this woman, A’ja isn’t married yet. However, she is dating Miami Heat Center Bam Adebayo.
These two are equally yoked in their careers as basketball players and faith as Christians. Through this example, A’ja shows other women they can find someone who complements them.
A’ja also sets an example similar to the Proverbs 31 woman by offering dating advice to single ladies. She encourages them to “shoot their shot” at the man they like because men are shy like women.
She also advises them spend time discovering themselves before getting into a relationship. This will develop their confidence and set personal standards.
A’ja’s Business Ventures
Solomon set the standard for a Proverbs 31 woman by highlighting her work ethic and business ventures.
A’ja fits this description as she has endorsement deals with several companies like
- Gatorade.
- Google Pixel.
- Mountain Dew.
- Nike.
- Ruffles.
She also wrote Dear Black Girls and owns the Burnt Wax candle company. Additionally, she founded the A’ja Wilson Foundation, which addresses causes like dyslexia and bullying.
A Leader Worthy of Praise
A woman who excels in her career, business ventures, and champions important causes deserves recognition.
Solomon confirms this truth in Proverbs 31:30, saying that a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. The Aces understand this principle, giving A’ja her flowers after she wins her fourth MVP.
Overwhelmed with gratitude from the Aces’ praise, A’ja was brought to tears. While grateful for their acknowledgments, A’ja knows all glory goes to God, who is the source of her success.
After reading this article, have you learned something new about A’ja Wilson? Do you know another Christian athlete I should highlight? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below and have a great week!
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