A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces to play preseason game in Columbia at Colonial Life Arena
Former South Carolina star A’ja Wilson will soon be returning to the court at Colonial Life Arena. Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces are coming to Columbia to play an exhibition game, the franchise announced on Thursday.
The Aces are playing a preseason game against the Puerto Rico National Team on Saturday, May 11. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
“I’m excited and can’t wait to return to Columbia with my Aces team,” A’ja Wilson said in a statement. “It’s my dream to be able to go back to the place where it all started and showcase what my skills are now. This means the world to me, and I’m very much looking forward to it.”
A’ja Wilson played at South Carolina from 2014-18, leading the Gamecocks to a national title as a junior in 2016-17. She was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Final 4 that year and was also honored as an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year.
As a senior in 2017-18, she was the Consensus National Player of the Year after averaging 22.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. She holds the school record for points and block in a career.
“What a recognition of our city and our FAMS for the two-time WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces to create a special event here in Columbia,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said in a statement. “Obviously, we’re excited to see A’ja play on her former home court at Colonial Life Arena again, but we also love to see this kind of creative decision-making that allows our sport to continue to grow on all levels.”
Wilson will be joined in Columbia by her Aces teammates, including stars Candace Parker and Kelsey Plum.
The Las Vegas Aces are coming off of back-to-back WNBA titles. They beat the New York Liberty 3-1 in the WNBA Finals to end last season.
After being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2018 WNBA draft, Wilson has excelled at the next level. She has already been named WNBA MVP twice, is a five-time WNBA all-star and has earned first-team All-WNBA honors three times.
Wilson, who has returned to Colonial Life Arena for games to watch South Carolina in recent years, will now be playing back inside the arena where there is a statue of her outside.
As for Puerto Rico, the team is preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Paris.