A’ja Wilson

The 6-foot-4 center, A’ja Wilson, stands as one of the most dominant players in WNBA history. Leading the 2024 WNBA All-Star voting by a substantial margin, she is poised to make her sixth All-Star game appearance.

A'ja Wilson led South Carolina to its maiden NCAA Championship in 2017 and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. She also earned SEC Player of the Year twice in 2016 and 2018 and was a three-time consensus All-American from (2016-2018). She scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Mississippi State in the 2017 NCAA Finals to lead the Gamecocks over the line.

​Selected as the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2018 WNBA Draft, A'ja Wilson led the team to their first-ever title in 2022 and secured a second consecutive title in 2023. In the 2024 season, Wilson is on pace to break Jewell Loyd's record for most points in a season (939) and Diana Taurasi's record for most points per game (25.29) in a season.

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A'ja Wilson Early Life

Born in Hopkins, South Carolina, A’ja Wilson attended Heathwood Hall High School. During her high school career, A’ja was named the 2014 National High School Player of the Year by WBCA and Naismith. She was also a McDonald’s All-American and Parade All-American for the 2013-14 season. Her exceptional skills on the court earned her the South Carolina Independent Schools Association Player of the Year award three times.

A'ja Wilson Personal Life

A'ja Wilson particularly enjoys the card game Uno. Beyond basketball, she owns a candle-making business called Burnt Wax Candles, where each candle is named after her career accomplishments. Additionally, Wilson is an author, with her book "Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You" was released on February 6, 2024.

Wilson's name was inspired by her father's favorite song, "Aja" by Steely Dan, and her middle name, Riyadh, was chosen to honor the Saudi Arabian city where an aunt served during Operation Desert Storm.

A'ja Wilson Family Background

A'ja Wilson was raised in Hopkins, South Carolina, by parents Eva Rakes Wilson and Roscoe Wilson, Jr. Her mother was a court stenographer (reporter) and her older brother, Renaldo played professional basketball overseas.

Her father, Roscoe Wilson, Jr. played basketball at Benedict College, where he was a standout center known for his rebounding prowess. He was the first Benedict player to play professional basketball in Europe, where he played for teams in Sweden, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina, achieving significant success. After his professional career, he was inducted into the Benedict College Hall of Fame.

A'ja Wilson Relationship

A'ja Wilson was in a relationship with Josh Cunningham, a professional basketball player. However, as of June 2024, they have broken up. The relationship spanned several years after they began dating in 2018 during their time at Heathwood Hall Episcopal in Columbia, S.C. He played college basketball for the Bradley Braves and the Dayton Flyers.

​In his professional career, Josh Cunningham played for teams across various continents and leagues. He has competed for ZZ Leiden in the Netherlands, the Westchester Knicks in the NBA G League (USA), Borac Nektar in Serbia, and multiple stints with the Southland Sharks of New Zealand. As of the 2023-24 season, Cunningham played for Bigua in the Uruguayan league.

A'ja Wilson Social Media

A'ja Wilson's social media growth has surged in recent years, reflecting her stellar on-court performances and brand endorsements. Her recent logo reveal and T-shirt collection which was sold out has been the trending news in the media, displaying her status as a prominent figure both on and off the court.​

Some of her social media links are mentioned below:

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/aja22wilson/

​Twitter- https://x.com/_ajawilson22

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/ajawilsonofficial/

A'ja Wilson Brand Ambassador

In October 2018, A'ja broke new ground by signing an endorsement deal with Mountain Dew, becoming the first female basketball player to do so.

Her influence continued to grow, and by May 2021, she had designed a limited-edition Mountain Dew hoodie. In April 2021, A'ja also started her own business with a luxury candle line, Burnt Wax Candle Company. In August 2022, she signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Ruffles, creating her signature chip, Smoky BBQ Ruffles Ridge Twists.

In 2024, A'ja Wilson added Gatorade, a hydration drink, to her endorsements. Gatorade features top athletes like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers in its campaigns. Among her most recent endeavors, A’ja Wilson collaborated with Nike to design and launch her own signature sneaker, the A'One, featuring her personalized logo, marking a significant milestone in her career. Most of her merchandise, including t-shirts, were sold out in a couple of hours.

A'ja Wilson Investments

In one of her notable public investments, A’ja Wilson, a two-time MVP, invested in Masters during a $2.7 million seed funding round in 2021.

Some notable athletes that have invested in the Masters Fitness App include NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo, Olympics snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White and professional surfer Kai Lenny. Now announced Lakers head coach, J.J Reddick had also previously developed training programs on the app.

A'ja Wilson Achievements

Since her high school career, Wilson has demonstrated a tremendous level of dedication to the game which has led her to achieve extraordinary things. A’ja Wilson is currently tied for the record of most points scored in a single WNBA match, scoring 53 points against Atlanta Dream in a 112-100 victory on August 22, 2023. She equalled a five-year record of Liz Cambage who scored 53 points in 2018. Only three players have scored more than 900 points in a single season and Wilson is ranked third with 912 points behind only Jewell Loyd and Breanna Stewart. An elite two-way athlete, Wilson is ranked fifth for most rebounds (380) grabbed in a single season in WNBA history. The center continues to make records and is on pace to break the regular season scoring record in terms of points per game and total points.

​She is a five-time All-Star and a three-time All-WNBA first-team and is all set to add to her stacked accolades in the 2024 WNBA season. The two-time MVP has also won several medals for Team USA at both youth and senior levels, winning the 2020 Olympic Gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. She is also a consecutive two-time FIBA World Cup winner with Team USA in 2018 and 2022. She will be looking forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics to win her second consecutive gold-medal for Team USA.

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A'ja Wilson Contract

According to Spotrac, A’ja Wilson signed a two-year $400,000 contract extension with the Las Vegas Aces in July 2023. She will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026.

A’ja Wilson’s previous contract was a two-year $398,422 in February 2022 with an average annual salary of $199,211. After being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, she was signed on a four-year $232,178 rookie contract with an annual average salary of $58,045.

A’ja Wilson Diet

A'ja Wilson, the Las Vegas Aces star, follows a balanced and mindful diet to support her athletic performance. She emphasizes the importance of cutting out pork and beef, leaning towards a more plant-based approach when possible. Wilson includes fish in her diet to ensure she gets the necessary protein and nutrients for her rigorous training schedule.

She incorporates leafy greens, fruits, and whole grains into her meals to sustain her energy levels and aid recovery. Wilson also values rest and sleep, recognizing their role in overall health and athletic recovery.

Speaking to Bustle, A'ja shared, “I definitely try to cut out pork and beef, and I try to be as plant-based as possible. I also try to get a lot of sleep.”