South Carolina Retires A'ja Wilson's No. 22 Jersey

A'ja Wilson's No. 22 jersey was retired by the University of South Carolina in a ceremony at Colonial Life Arena, marking another honor for the legendary Gamecocks player following the unveiling of her statue in 2021. Wilson led South Carolina to their first NCAA National Championship in 2017 and was the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points. Her impressive college career earned her numerous accolades, including being a four-time All-American and a three-time SEC Player of the Year. Despite this recognition, some critics argue that the jersey retirement should have coincided with the statue unveiling, suggesting a missed opportunity for a more cohesive tribute. Nonetheless, Wilson's impact extends beyond her on-court achievements, as she has been a transformative figure for the program and community. Her head coach Dawn Staley and others have praised her legacy, which began when she committed to South Carolina as a top recruit in 2014.