South Carolina women's basketball great A'ja Wilson wins another major honor

Last week, A’ja Wilson earned distinction as the TIME Athlete of the Year and AP Female Athlete of the Year. On Tuesday, the South Carolina women’s basketball alum picked up another major honor.

The Sporting News has selected Wilson as their Female Athlete of the Year, as well. It was the first time in her career that she had picked up the highest honor from the Sporting News. Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the award on the men’s side.

Wilson was the easy choice for this year’s Female Athlete of the Year, something the Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy acknowledged in his write-up for the award.

Referencing the fact that the outlet had never before honored Wilson, DeCourcy said, “Certainly we could be considered late to the show.”

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!

Wilson’s 2025 made it impossible for anyone to miss her greatness.

This season saw the Gamecock GOAT win her fourth WNBA MVP award. That is the most in league history. She also earned another Defensive Player of the Year selection. No. 22 led her Las Vegas Aces squad through a dominant end-of-season run to a third championship. Wilson and the Aces won the last 16 games of the regular season and went 9-3 in the postseason.

At just age 29, Wilson has a real argument as the greatest women’s basketball player of all time.

She already owns the record for most MVPs, and her three WNBA Finals championships trail only Rebekkah Brunson (5) and a small group of players who have earned four rings. Wilson set single-season records for both scoring and rebounding, and she has three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Chances are, as long as they aren’t late to the party again, the Sporting News will have to consider A’ja Wilson for next year’s Female Athlete of the Year trophy, too.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball!