Former South Carolina women's basketball star A'ja Wilson up for another pair of ESPYs
South Carolina women’s basketball legend A’ja Wilson remains the best player in the world. The three-time WNBA MVP is coming off of her best overall season, one in which she broke multiple league records. It should come as no surprise, then, that Wilson has been nominated for a pair of ESPY awards.
ESPN’s annual award show will include Wilson among nominees for two honors. Wilson earned distinction as one of four women selected in the “Best Athlete – Women’s Sports” category and one of four players picked as nominees for “Best WNBA Player.” Gamecock fans can vote for Wilson (for both awards) here.
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In her record-setting 2024 campaign, Wilson averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals. She shot 52% from the field and 84% from the free throw line. Wilson also set the WNBA’s all-time records for total points (1021), total rebounds (451), points per game (26.9), and single-game points (53) en route to becoming the only player to reach the 1000-point milestone or the 450-rebound mark. The former South Carolina star led the league in points, points per game, rebounds, blocked shots, and blocks per game, while finishing in the top five in rebounds per game and steals. Wilson was one of four players to average at least 20 points and two assists. She was the only player in the W to average at least 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals on the season.
Off the court, she earned the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.
During the middle of the WNBA season, Wilson joined Team USA for the 2024 Summer Olympics. In Paris, she led the Americans to another gold medal, earning Olympic Starting Five honors and the Olympic MVP.
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This year’s ESPYs will take place on Wednesday, July 16th in Los Angeles. ABC will broadcast the show at 8:00 p.m., and ESPN+ and the ESPN app will make it available via streaming. Comedian Shane Gillis will host the show at LA’s Dolby Theatre.
Last year, South Carolina women’s basketball picked up three ESPY wins and another special honor. Wilson was the clear choice for both Best WNBA Player and Best Athlete – Women’s Sports, the same categories for which she is nominated in 2025. The 2023-2024 undefeated, National Championship-winning team also won the ESPY for Best Team. Head coach Dawn Staley didn’t win a separate ESPY but earned distinction as the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance recipient for her work in raising money and awareness for cancer research, screenings, and treatments and her investment in helping children undergoing cancer treatments.
