A'ja Wilson picks up new skill amid Paris Olympics after USA gold medalist extends mentorship 

WNBA star A'ja Wilson is currently preparing to compete for Team USA in the Paris Olympics. Leading up to the start of the Olympic games, Wilson and Team USA competed against the WNBA All-Stars for their one and only warmup game as part of the WNBA's annual All-Star weekend.

This year's All-Star weekend was held in Phoenix, with stars walking the orange carpet at the start of the event. When two-time WNBA champion and reigning Finals MVP A'ja Wilson arrived for the event, she did so after being named as one of the NBA 2k25 cover athletes.

Along with Jayson Tatum, who is the NBA's cover athlete, and Vince Carter, who is the cover athlete for the Hall of Fame edition of the game, Wilson is in elite company. When she arrived on the WNBA's orange carpet earlier this month at All-Star weekend in Phoenix, she was asked if there was anything she couldn't do.

Much to the surprise of fans given that she was raised in South Carolina, a state that borders the ocean, Wilson revealed that she can't swim. As it turns out, since arriving in France for the Olympics, Wilson has learned some tricks from a synchronized diver.

Now, the only thing left is for Wilson to learn how to swim.

"A synchronize diver taught me some tricks and hacks….so now all I have to do is learn how to swim and I’m good"

US Olympian offers to teach A'ja Wilson how to swim

Earlier this month when A'ja Wilson said that she didn't know how to swim, the admission caught the attention of Simone Manuel, a three-time US Olympian who has won five Olympic medals.

Manuel is currently in Paris, just like A'ja Wilson, where she will compete for Team USA. So far, it is unclear whether or not A'ja Wilson and Simone Manuel have linked up for a swim lesson since arriving in Paris.

The pair both have busy schedules. Wilson and Team USA are preparing for the Group Phase, while Manuel is competing in both the women's 4x100m freestyle relay on Saturday, Jul. 27, and the women's 50m freestyle, which will take place on Aug. 3 and Aug. 4.

Wilson and Team USA will begin the Group Phase of play on Jul. 29 when they face off with Japan, before competing against Belgium on Aug. 1. The team will then play their final game of the Group Phase on Aug. 4, before the start of the knockouts on Aug. 7.

Knockout basketball action will then continue on Aug. 9 with semifinal action, before the bronze and gold medal games on Aug. 11. Heading into the start of the Paris Olympic Basketball tournament, A'ja Wilson and Team USA sit as heavy betting favorites on US sportsbooks.