Fresh off another MVP WNBA season, former South Carolina star A’ja Wilson returned to where it all started, speaking to Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks and the reigning national championship. Wilson, who helped lead South Carolina to its first national title in 2017, reminded the team that success at the highest level takes more than talent; it takes trust, consistency, and the right mindset.
What Was A’ja Wilson’s Message to Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks?
South Carolina brings back nearly its entire championship roster this season, losing only two players from last year’s team. The Gamecocks remain loaded with top talent, including Senior Raven Johnson, standout sophomore Joyce Edwards and Maddy McDaniel. Head Coach Dawn Staley added two stars from the transfer portal, Arkansas’ Maryam Dauda and FSU’s Ta’Nayia Latson.
The Gamcocks’ official account on X posted a video of Wilson addressing the team earlier in the week in Columbia, offering advice from her professional experience during her most recent MVP campaign. The four-time MVP averaged 23.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals during the 2025 regular season.
Wilson encouraged the Gamecocks to maintain the same mentality through wins and losses, no matter how many milestones and setbacks they have. She also emphasized the importance of trusting your coaches and reflected on how patience and perspective have helped shape her career.
“…Like coach said your goals can be long-term. Look at it as a long-term thing. Just cause you didn’t hit it on one game, good or bad, that’s okay. The long game, I learned that a lot this season…”
Wilson shared her wisdom from her WNBA experience and reminded all the players that staying at the top is harder than actually getting there.
“… we birth pros and very good pros that stay in the league cause it’s hard. It’s kind of easy getting to the W everybody can get drafted, but can you stay there? And you want to be able to stay there…”
Why Wilson’s Words Matter
Wilson’s message resonated with the team that knows what it takes to win but is chasing something even harder: a repeat. Her advice echoes Dawn Staley’s coaching philosophy of resilience, trust, and discipline.
South Carolina is a WNBA pipeline, producing 19 Gamecocks who have played professionally. Wilson’s presence inspired and reminded us that greatness in women’s basketball is earned, not assumed.
This year’s team mirrors the talent from the 2017 national championship squad, which was led by forwards Wilson and Alex Jennings and guards Bianca Cuevas-Moore, Allisha Gray, Tyasha Harris, and Doniyah Cliney. This season’s team features leading forwards Joyce Edwards, Maryam Dauda, and Joyce Edwards, along with strong guards Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson, who have the potential to bring home a two-peat.
As the Gamecocks enter another season as the No.1 team in the country, hearing from one of the most legendary alumni inspires the season ahead.