Watch: Hoopers South Carolina rush to A’Ja Wilson while the former Gamecocks icon poses for a camera – Sportskeeda

The former South Carolina female basketball star A’Ja Wilson # 22 of the T -shirt was retired as she stood in the center of the Colonial Life Arena on Sunday. The WNBA MVP managing was delayed at the special moment that was shared on the Gamecocks Instagram page.

The moment also saw South Carolina players rush to join her while she posed for photos.

“Jump,” the publication was inscribed.

Wilson is the leader of South Carolina for all time with 2389 points and 363 blocks. She is also the first four-time All-American of the program and won a national player of the year in 2018 after led Gamecocks to his first national title in 2017. In addition ., four SEC SEC tournaments and three titles for the regular season of SEC.

South Carolina of A’d Wilson could not be retired earlier

A’Ja Wilson is probably one of the biggest players in the history of a women’s college basketball and even more emblematic in South Carolina, where she brought the program to a new level. Its impact from the Colonial Life Arena was remarkable, and many wondered why the program waited so long to withdraw from its T -shirt.

However, South Carolina requires a five -year period before the athlete’s T -shirt will be retired and the countdown begins after their last year at the school. Even the request of Dawn’s head coach Staley to cut the deadline because of Wilson was rejected. But the Las Vegas Ice star was honored with a statue in 2021 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There was no ceremony during the opening, as fans were not admitted to the arena. But the retirement of the T -shirt on Sunday saw a crowd of sale when a lonely spotlight shines on Wilson’s T -shirt as he hung in the ribs.

“It is a privilege to be Gamecock, to be part of this community,” she told the crowd. “One of the biggest honors in my life was to present pomegranate and black every night. As I look at the ribs and see my T -shirt, I remind myself how important it is to chase your dreams without fear.”

Wilson also thanked Coach Staley for her impact on the WNBA star’s trip to greatness.

“And the man who taught me this and still teaches me is the dawn Staley. Thank you, a coach for seeing the light in me, even when I couldn’t see her in myself,” she added. “And that it showed me that it was not about the destination, but about the trip and the people you meet along the way.”

Wilson is the fifth player in the history of the program to retire in his T -shirt. Its success history continues at WNBA, where it is six-time All-Star with three championships and three MVP awards, joining ACES as a comprehensive choice # 1.