BY THE NUMBERS
Wilson was a unanimous selection as 2017-18 National Player of the Year after averaging career highs in scoring (22.6) and rebounding (11.9). She ranked seventh and 11th in the nation respectively in each of those categories, and had the fifth most double-doubles in the nation as a senior. As a junior, Wilson led the Gamecocks to the 2017 National Championship, and she was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She finished her collegiate career ranked first in South Caroline history in scoring (2,389) and blocked shots (363).
| CAREER COLLEGIATE STATISTICS | |||||||||||||||||||
| G-GS | Min-MPG | FG-FGA | FG% | 3G-3GA | 3G% | FT-FTA | FT% | OR | DR | REB | RPG | PF-DQ | A | TO | B | S | Pts | PPG | |
| 2014-15 | 37-1 | 734-19.8 | 177-329 | .538 | 1-3 | .333 | 131-198 | .662 | 78 | 165 | 243 | 6.6 | 72-1 | 37 | 62 | 65 | 32 | 486 | 13.1 |
| 2015-16 | 33-32 | 895-27.1 | 205-386 | .531 | 0-0 | —- | 120-166 | .723 | 88 | 199 | 287 | 8.7 | 78-1 | 47 | 74 | 103 | 27 | 530 | 16.1 |
| 2016-17 | 35-35 | 995-28.4 | 233-396 | .588 | 0-1 | .000 | 160-217 | .737 | 93 | 181 | 274 | 7.8 | 78-1 | 50 | 68 | 90 | 43 | 626 | 17.9 |
| 2017-18 | 33-29 | 970-29.4 | 278-513 | .542 | 5-12 | .417 | 186-254 | .732 | 115 | 276 | 391 | 11.9 | 65-1 | 57 | 83 | 105 | 34 | 747 | 22.6 |
| Totals | 138-97 | 3594-26.0 | 893-1624 | .550 | 6-16 | .375 | 597-835 | .715 | 374 | 821 | 1195 | 8.7 | 293-4 | 191 | 287 | 363 | 136 | 2389 | 17.3 |
| HONORS | ||
| National Player of the Year | 2018 (AP, espnW, USAT, WBCA/Wade, Drysdale/USBWA, Naismith) | |
| Lisa Leslie Award Winner | 2018 | |
| xxxx | Naismith Award Finalist | 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 |
| Wooden Award Finalist | 2018, 2017, 2016 | |
| Wade Trophy Finalist | 2018, 2017, 2016 | |
| Preseason National Player of the Year | 2018 (ESPNW) | |
| All-America First Team | 2018 (AP, WBCA, USBWA, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Wooden Award) | |
| 2017 (AP, WBCA, USBWA, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Wooden Award) | ||
| 2016 (AP, WBCA, USBWA, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Wooden Award) | ||
| All-America Third Team | 2015 (AP) | |
| All-America Honorable Mention | 2015 (WBCA) | |
| NCAA Final Four MOP | 2017 | |
| SEC Player of the Year | 2018, 2017, 2016 (Coaches, AP) | |
| All-SEC First Team | 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 (Coaches, AP) | |
| SEC Defensive Player of the Year | 2016 | |
ACES SCOUTING REPORT
Very athletic for her size, can play both ends of the floor with her length and mobility. A versatile scorer and rebounder that should translate well to the pro game.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
“She’s so mobile, and she’s long enough to get to places. Even if you’re in great defensive position, she can still get to places. It makes it easy for her to get shots. We had to double her a lot, and that’s a sign of respect from most coaches if they have to double you. You look at all the things she’s done for her team. I would say she’s grown a lot.”
~ Geno Auriemma, UConn Head Coach
“I see a tremendous player who has developed into somebody who is really special. She’s reading the defense a lot quicker. She’s very complete. I don’t think there’s another player in the country like her from a collegiate or pro standpoint. Her ability to dribble the basketball, consistently make outside shots, rebound the basketball on both sides of the court.”
~ Dawn Staley, South Carolina Head Coach
“A’ja is just so relentless. She knows that she’s going to get doubled every night, it comes from a diferent place every night and she still fnds ways to score. Every year you watch her game, she’s gotten better. She posts you hard. She can drive you. She’s shooting it now. So, it’s just a difcult matchup.”
~ Joni Taylor, Georgia Head Coach
“Simply put, Wilson is everything Las Vegas needs. She’s a rim protector, so she can play the 5 in faster-paced lineups alongside the trio of guards, Kelsey Plum, Moriah Jefferson and Kayla McBride. She can also stretch the floor, shooting threes this year with an even more improved face-up game, if the Aces want to utilize Kayla Alexander or a free agent five to be named soon. Wilson is ready to start in the league on day one, and she has a good chance to be a star right away.”
~ Howard Megdal, SummittHoops.com