South Carolina women's basketball: A'ja Wilson joins the Lettermen's Association Hall of Fame

A’ja Wilson is an Olympic gold medalist, the only four-time WNBA MVP, and a three-time WNBA champion. She has her own shoe, her jersey is retired, and there is a statue of Wilson in front of Colonial Life Arena.

So when Dawn Staley started prodding Wilson to call athletics director Jeremiah Donati, it’s understandable that Wilson didn’t think it was anything important.

“I’m like, okay, okay, I know we’re going to Nike. Girl, I know the news,” she said. “And she was like, ‘No, it’s something else.’ I’m like, what could it be? I’ve got a statue.”

Wilson finally answered the phone when Donati called, and learned she was one of six members of the Lettermen’s Association Hall of Fame class of 2025. The other members of the class are Natasha Hastings (Women’s Track 2005-2007), Brandon Hulko (Men’s Diving 1999-2002), Paul Jubb (Men’s Tennis 2016-2020), Akram Mahmoud (Men’s Swimming 2014-2018), and Mollie Patton (Women’s Soccer 2006-2010), and Wilson is glad she finally answered the phone.

“This is definitely top three,” Wilson said. “When you’re a Hall of Famer, no matter where you are, it’s special. And particularly here at the University of South Carolina, it’s truly been a long journey, but this city, this state, has opened me with wide open arms.”

Even among that group, Wilson stands out. Her fame and accomplishments mean everything she does is an event. The Las Vegas Aces sent representatives to capture the ceremony, and there were cameras capturing her every move.

Wilson arrived fashionably late (and fashionably). She was accompanied by her parents, agent, boyfriend Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, and her personal security guard, who was naturally wearing A’Ones.

One of the first people to greet Wilson was Sheila Foster. Foster, who was South Carolina’s career scoring leader before Wilson broke her record, was the first female athlete inducted into the Letterman Hall of Fame. She embraced Wilson and they spoke for a few minutes.

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“She was welcoming me to the Hall of Fame,” Wilson said. “I told her she is the shoulders we stand on. She the one that laid the foundation for us to have the platform that we are playing on to this day, whether it’s my years or the current players. It’s always fun to see her. She always beams with so much light.”

Wilson will add another layer to her legacy at South Carolina next year, when the Gamecocks start wearing her signature shoe on the court. The details are still under wraps because Nike doesn’t take over until July 1, 2026, but Wilson promised big things.

“I see everyone wearing my shoes, and I’m like, my alma mater can’t wear my shoes,” she said. “I’m super excited, and Coach Staley, they’ve got something cooking up that I’m excited to see unfold.”

The Hall of Fame is, presumably, the last honor of 2025 for Wilson. The year began with her jersey retirement, included her record fourth MVP, another championship, and ended with the induction ceremony. 

Earlier on Thursday, Dawn Staley joked that they would have to start inventing honors to give Wilson. 

“I just want to continue to put a footprint on my legacy, on women’s basketball,” she said. “I don’t know what’s left, but I’m greedy.”

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