A'ja Wilson vs Dawn Staley WNBA stats: How did former Gamecocks player-coach duo compare in the pros

Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson has established herself as one of the best players in the WNBA as well as the country, and her development can be traced to former player Dawn Staley.

The legendary Dawn Staley had coached Wilson during her days in the NCAA as a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

A'ja Wilson's time at the Gamecocks saw her win multiple awards under the watchful eyes of Coach Staley. Furthermore, her time at the Gamecocks led to the success of both player and coach.

Fans have been interested to know how both Wilson and Coach Staley fared while playing in the WNBA.

---

Ranking A'ja Wilson vs. Dawn Staley's WNBA careers

A'ja Wilson reacts during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Storm - Source: Getty

The Las Vegas Aces' WNBA champion is a fan favorite and will most definitely be a Hall of Famer. Wilson, according to ESPN, averages 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Furthermore, if leading the Las Vegas Aces to their first WNBA title wasn't enough, Wilson did it twice (2022 and 2023). Her scoring record as the Ace's highest scorer led to her being the first to clinch 1,000 points in a WNBA season.

Meanwhile, not every coach has the same reputation as Dawn Staley due to her impressive career in the WNBA, which spanned from 1999 to 2006. During her time, she was one of the league's best point guards, winning three Olympic Gold medals and coaching them to victory.

The Gamecocks coach averaged 8.5 points, 5.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds. Moreover, she earned six All-Star and ranks among the all-time assist leaders in the WNBA. Impressive enough, she ranks among the few to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a player and coach.

It's fair or somewhat unfair to say that the generation of Coach Stacey needed social media to portray their class and greatness. While Coach Staley was known for her playmaking, Wilson has made a reputation for her scoring rates.

While Coach Staley is in the business of training the next A'ja Wilson, fans of the Aces superstar would remain grateful for the guidance they received from the legend. Hopefully, she pulls out another star like Wilson from the Gamecocks.