A’ja Wilson’s legacy at South Carolina is one that’s impossible to overlook. During her collegiate career, she earned a staggering list of accolades, including leading the Gamecocks to their first NCAA National Championship in 2017. By the time she said goodbye to South Carolina, Wilson had already cemented herself as a four-time All-American, a three-time SEC Player of the Year, and the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,389 points. These accomplishments—and so much more—are why South Carolina is retiring her No. 22 jersey.
But not everyone is entirely on board with the timing of this honor. In a recent episode of The Ringer show, Chauny Powell joined host Seerat Sohi to discuss Wilson’s legacy—and Powell didn’t hold back on her thoughts about the jersey retirement. “So I think it’s interesting that the jersey, retirement, and statue were not like a package deal, or at the very least like one right after another,” she said. And honestly? She’s got a point.
Mar 4, 2018; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley celebrates with forward A’ja Wilson (22) after a win over the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs during the SEC Conference Tournament championship game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Wilson’s pro career began in 2018, and by 2021, South Carolina had already dedicated an 11-foot bronze statue of her outside Colonial Life Arena. It was unveiled on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—January 18th of that year—a moment that was powerful in its own right. But as Powell noted, there’s a sense that the jersey retirement, which is happening now in 2025, feels like it should’ve come sooner.
While Powell’s critique resonates, there’s also something to be said about the timing being special in its own way.
‘Better late than never’ A’ja Wilson’s jersey retirement becomes a perfectly timed tribute
A’ja’s decision to attend South Carolina nearly a decade ago was historic—at just 18 years old, she was the only top-100 prospect left to commit to a collegiate program at the time. “I’ll be attending the University of South Carolina,” she announced alongside her parents, forever changing the trajectory of the program.
Her head coach, Dawn Staley, summed it up perfectly back when her statue was unveiled: “A’ja was a powerful force in our program, our campus, and our community through everything that she accomplished on the court and the person she was off it. This statue in front of this arena is an equally powerful force.”
And now, that tribute is getting an addition—her No. 22 jersey will hang in the rafters, serving as a lasting symbol of her unparalleled contributions. But what makes this moment even more unique is that another No. 22 jersey—belonging to Caitlin Clark at Iowa—will also be retired on the exact same day. Two basketball legends, sharing the same jersey number, having their iconic moments simultaneously—it’s poetic, really.
As Dawn Staley urged, “We need every seat filled as we welcome back home our real-life statue.” When A’ja Wilson’s jersey rises to the rafters, it’ll be a testament to her lasting impact on South Carolina basketball and beyond.
So, what’s your take? Is the timing of this honor spot-on, or do you think it should’ve happened sooner? Either way, there’s no denying it’ll be a historic moment for Gamecocks fans everywhere.
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