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TO CELEBRATE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SENIOR FORWARD A'JA WILSON FOR HER SUPERLATIVE CAREER IN WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL, TO CONGRATULATE HER ON BEING THE NUMBER ONE OVERALL PICK IN THE 2018 WNBA DRAFT, AND TO WISH HER MUCH SUCCESS AND FULFILLMENT IN ALL HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that University of South Carolina senior forward A'ja Wilson has been drafted by the Las Vegas Aces as the number one overall pick in the 2018 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft. She is the Gamecocks' first WNBA top pick and just the third Gamecock of any sport to be drafted first; and
Whereas, the daughter of Roscoe and Eva Wilson, Jr., and sister of Renaldo Wilson, this Hopkins native graduated from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she was a three-time South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) Player of the Year and a state champion her senior season. She earned multiple 2014 National High School Player of the Year awards (Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Naismith, Parade), and was a McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American. She was the top high school recruit in the nation, and to the joy of Gamecock Nation, she decided to stay home and play for USC; and
Whereas, leading the Gamecocks to the NCAA Elite Eight three times in four seasons, A'ja Wilson closed her college career as the most decorated women's basketball player in South Carolina history and etched her name in the SEC history books, as well. The Gamecocks' first four-time All-American, including three seasons as a first-team selection, and four-time First-Team All-SEC choice, she is also the first three-time SEC Player of the Year in conference history. A three-time finalist for the three primary national player of the year awards (Citizen Naismith Trophy, Wade Trophy, and Wooden Award), she brought all three home in 2017-2018 after the best statistical season of her career, including ranking among the nation's top eleven in scoring (22.6 ppg, 7th), rebounding (11.8 rpg, 11th), and blocked shots (3.18, 5th) averages. She also earned the title from every media outlet that bestows it and was the Honda Sport Award winner for basketball; and
Whereas, A'ja Wilson is the Gamecocks' all-time leading scorer (2,389) and just the second player in program history to finish with at least 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career. In addition to leading the Gamecocks to the 2017 NCAA National Championship, a season she dedicated to the memory of her late grandmother Hattie Rakes, she was undefeated in her four SEC Tournaments as USC became the first program to win four consecutive SEC titles. She holds 62 school records, including career points and blocked shots (363), and ranks in the program's top five a total of 114 times; and
Whereas, over the course of her collegiate career, USC posted a 129-16 record, including a 57-7 slate in SEC action with three SEC regular-season championships and one second-place finish, as well as a 44-13 record against nationally ranked opponents; and
Whereas, A'ja Wilson was named the 2017-2018 Female Athlete of the Year and received the President's Award at the annual Gamecock Gala honoring student-athletes for their accomplishments. She graduates on May 12, 2018, with a degree in mass communications; and
Whereas, proud of her dedication and accomplishments, the House takes great pleasure in wishing this daughter of South Carolina the greatest success as she begins her professional career, and the members look forward with interest to hearing of her further achievements in the days to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate University of South Carolina senior forward A'ja Wilson for her superlative career in women's college basketball, congratulate her on being the number one overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, and wish her much success and fulfillment in all her future endeavors.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to A'ja Wilson.
This web page was last updated on April 25, 2018 at 3:42 PM