"Super proud of you": South Carolina HC Dawn Staley hypes up A'ja Wilson for raising the bar as cover athlete for 2K25 WNBA edition

South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball coach Dawn Staley hyped up A'ja Wilson for being on the cover of the 2K25 WNBA edition. The Aces star will share the cover of the All-Star edition with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.

It marks the first time that players from the NBA and WNBA will share the 2K video cover. Wilson will also be on the solo cover of the WNBA edition, which will only be available on Gamestop in North America.

After the news came out, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley heaped praise on Wilson.

"Do it do it do it @_ajawilson22! Super proud of you for raising the bar on and off the court! A true blessing to see your uncommon favor displayed," Staley wrote on X.

Wilson has helped propel the women's game. The star forward is the reigning WNBA Finals MVP and has won back-to-back titles in the WNBA.

Wilson played her college basketball at South Carolina under Staley and was drafted first overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. Wilson spent four years at South Carolina, averaging 17.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.

Dawn Staley heaps praise on A'ja Wilson

In May, Staley and assistant coach Lisa Boyer watched Wilson practice and play, and the head coach heaped praise on her.

"Look at her, we had a chance to coach her," Staley said, via GreenvilleOnline. "(I'm) watching the best player in the world work."

Staley believes Wilson is good because she figured out life and basketball so early in her career.

"I think what was really super special about her for me is she found herself very early in life," Staley said.

"(Wilson) had it all together and if not, she found out the way to get it together and she was unafraid to ask," Staley said. "When you're able to figure out who you are, it doesn't matter ... you are able to work on your craft and be the best at your craft like (Wilson)."

Wilson is averaging 27.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists this season in the WNBA for the Aces.