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A'ja Wilson has had a busy offseason. She had her Gamecocks jersey retired in February by South Carolina, the school she led to the 2017 NCAA women’s basketball championship. Wilson was also the guest speaker for the Final Four in Tampa Bay, Florida roughly a week ago.
On Thursday, she became Cosmo Sports’ first guest and did an interview where she discussed different topics. When asked about how basketball has shaped her life, Wilson replied:
“It’s allowed me to become a leader and a role model. I’ve always had a passion for helping others. … Basketball has allowed me to do that by just playing the game and giving that young girl or that young boy a sense of ‘I could do that.’
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“I want to show them that you don’t have to lose yourself in sports—it’s not always about the wins and the losses.”
A'ja Wilson has become arguably the most dominant WNBA player in recent years. She is a three-time MVP, one of four players with that accomplishment. Wilson breached 1,000 points last season, the first in league history, a key reason she earned unanimous MVP honors.
Wilson’s accomplishments on the basketball court have made her one of the most popular athletes around. She has used her visibility and popularity to be as great a role model as she can be, particularly to young boys and girls.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist noted the importance of being a role model for young people. She said that most “young girls drop out of sports in middle school,” an issue that is heartbreaking for her. Despite her success and fame, she remains rooted in her motivation to help others around her.
A'ja Wilson’s already storied basketball career is far from over
A'ja Wilson is still beginning the prime years of her basketball career. As accomplished as she is, the 28-year-old star still has more in store for her.
The Las Vegas Aces failed a three-peat bid last season after losing to eventual champion New York Liberty in the semifinals. Roughly two months after exiting the playoffs, the Aces retooled the roster around Wilson.
They traded Kelsey Plum to bring Jewell Loyd and brought in Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Dana Evans. With Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes still in the lineup, A'ja Wilson could lead the team to more glory.
