A'ja Wilson is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted first overall by the Aces in the 2018 WNBA draft and has since established herself as a key player in the league, becoming the Las Vegas Aces' all-time leading scorer in franchise history on July 7th, 2024.

In college, Wilson played for the South Carolina Gamecocks and significantly contributed to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017. She won numerous awards in college, including AP Player of the Year, Honda Sports Award, Naismith College Player of the Year, and John R. Wooden Award in 2018. Additionally, she finished her college career as the all-time leading scorer for the University of South Carolina.

Throughout her professional career, Wilson has achieved remarkable success. She has been named the WNBA MVP twice, in 2020 and 2022, and was named the WNBA Finals MVP in 2023 after winning her second WNBA championship. She also holds a record in the WNBA for scoring 53 points in a single game, tying the league's single-game scoring record. Wilson's outstanding defensive skills have earned her the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 2022 and 2023. She has also been recognized as a three-time All-WNBA First Team member and has been selected as a WNBA All-Star six times. In 2024, Wilson broke the WNBA single-season scoring record in a game against the Indiana Fever with 965 overall points.

Wilson's successful basketball career extends beyond the WNBA. She has represented the United States in international competitions, winning a gold medal with Team USA in the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Wilson is also the New York Times best-selling author of "Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You" and runs her own luxury candle line, Burnt Wax Candle Company.

In recognition of her contributions to the sport and her exemplary performance, a statue of A'ja Wilson was dedicated near the main entrance to Carolina's basketball home, Colonial Life Arena, on January 18, 2021. In 2024, Wilson won the ESPY's Best WNBA Player Award and Best Female Athlete Award. With her impressive track record and passion for the game, Wilson remains a significant figure in women's basketball.

Basketball, College, Athlete, Sports, Sports Motivation, Sports Industry, Empowerment, Influential Women, Female Leadership, Black Heritage, Motivational, Diversity & Inclusion, Sports Speakers, Women, WNBA African-American Women, Olympic Athlete, Olympic Gold Medalist, Teamwork & Teambuilding,