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A proud moment came for Dawn Staley when A'ja Wilson received her third WNBA MVP award this week. Wilson is considered one of the greatest women hoopers to step into the big league.
The center (2020, 2022, 2024) is in elite company, with greats like Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Lauren Jackson being the only players to lift the Most Valuable Award trophy three times.
To reflect her love and appreciation for her former Gamecocks student, Dawn Staley grabbed two of Nike's MVP T-shirts made in A'ja Wilson's honor. The coach posted an image of the pair on her X, prompting fans to get their own.
"Got ‘em!!! @_ajawilson22 MVP jawns!! Better get yours!" Staley wrote.
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Nike’s latest drop features Wilson’s art and the brand’s logo on the front. On the back, many of Wilson's WNBA accolades are listed, from her Rookie of the Year title to All-star nominations.
A’ja Wilson is the second player in WNBA history to unanimously win the MVP award, earning 67 first-place nominations. She averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 2.6 blocks this season. She also broke the all-time WNBA record for most points and rebounds in a season.
Dawn Staley’s connection to A’ja Wilson comes through the Las Vegas Aces big’s Division I stint with the Gamecocks (2014-2018). The two led South Carolina to its first NCAA title in 2017. Wilson still holds the program record for most points, blocks and free throws.
A'ja Wilson thanked Dawn Staley after winning the MVP
A'ja Wilson admires Dawn Staley due to the impact the Gamecocks coach had on her young basketball career. So, when all eyes were on her following her latest MVP win, she took out a moment to thank Staley.
"She was someone that instilled, just that boss, the leader. She didn't hold my hand, she didn't cookie cut anything for me. I need that hardcore honesty," Wilson said in an interview with Good Morning America.
The Las Vegas Aces big believes that Staley’s impact has enabled her to reach the heights she has scaled in her professional career and molded her to be the person she is todaay.
The Aces ended the season as the best team in the league and are battling the Seattle Storm in the first round of the playoffs.
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