A’ja Wilson had good feeling about USC’s chances. Being a fan for game? Even better
A’ja Wilson had the same feeling before South Carolina’s 2022 NCAA tournament championship win over the UConn Huskies that she had before she led the Gamecocks to the title back in 2017.
That feeling hit her Saturday night, Wilson said, one day before Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks were set to play for their second national championship in program history in Minneapolis.
“It was like deja vu,” she said. “It was surreal.”
But this time around, Wilson wasn’t going through USC’s gameday routine or stepping on the floor during the matchup. Instead, she was up in the stands, dancing with the music in the Target Center and cheering for the Gamecocks as they accomplished their ultimate goal.
Wilson, who was named the 2017 NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player for her efforts in South Carolina’s first national championship win over Mississippi State, said she preferred this year’s experience to the one she had as a player.
“It’s 10 times better than playing,” Wilson said. “The playing was stressful. I missed out on a lot. Being a fan, I could enjoy it, drink a little bit, talk my little trash. I could have some fun.”
Wilson played at USC from 2014-18 and has since become a three-time WNBA All-Star with the Las Vegas Aces. She attended multiple USC women’s basketball games in Columbia this season.
Wilson keeps a close relationship with Staley, her former coach, often interacting on Twitter and guest starring on Staley’s podcast at the start of this year’s tournament.
Wilson is a strong supporter of Staley’s program and Gamecocks’ star Aliyah Boston, who won four national player of the year awards while in Minneapolis and was named this year’s NCAA tournament most outstanding player as a junior — just like Wilson did in 2017.
“(Boston has) done so much for this university,” Wilson said. “She’s just a junior and she’s killing it. It’s amazing. I won it my junior year, so something about that junior year is special at South Carolina. I’m excited for her.”
Wilson spent time with the Gamecocks on the floor after their national title win, snapping photos with current players with a smile on her face.
“I’m glad that I could be here just to celebrate with them,” Wilson said. “Like I feel like I got it. Hopefully, Coach Staley can give me a ring.”
This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 12:38 PM.
