Dawn Staley isn’t crying about the end of A’ja Wilson’s career – yet

For A’ja Wilson and the 12,835 fans in attendance for senior night in Colonial Life Arena on Thursday, the pregame ceremony celebrating all that Wilson has accomplished in her career as a Gamecock was an emotional affair.

But for South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, there were no tears, she said. Not when there was a game to be played and several more after that.

“No. I know we have a lot more basketball to play with A’ja,” Staley said Thursday night when asked if she felt emotion overwhelming her when Wilson was honored at midcourt.

That’s not to say Staley isn’t proud of Wilson, the hometown recruit who helped her coach deliver a national championship last season.

“I’ve enjoyed the journey with her. I know exactly what took place over the past four years. I’m excited about her future, as well. I think this is just a stepping stone of what she’s going to become as a pro,” Staley said.

But Staley, Wilson and the rest of the Gamecocks still have one more regular-season game and then the entire postseason – including two likely home games in the first rounds of the NCAA Tournament. And until that final whistle blows on Wilson’s career, Staley said she’ll remain focused on the task at hand. Once that’s done, however, all bets are off.

“Probably that moment when it’s her last game, I’ll probably get pretty emotional,” Staley said. “When a player has had that kind of impact on you personally and this program, you get a little emotional because you may not get another player like that ever.

“I’m just going to enjoy her as much as possible for as long I can because she’s ... just a solid citizen. You just want all the successes in the world for her.”

Wilson’s full impact on USC’s program and Staley won’t totally sink in for a while, Staley said.

“I’m probably going to cry next year, when we don’t have her, and we look down the bench and are like, ‘Where’s A’ja?’ ” Staley joked.

This story was originally published February 24, 2018 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Dawn Staley isn’t crying about the end of A’ja Wilson’s career – yet."