Eleven years ago, A’ja Wilson shocked many when she announced she would stay home and play basketball for Dawn Staley at South Carolina instead of going to UConn. Wilson was the No. 1 ranked player in the Class of 2014. She made the big announcement during a press conference held at her school, Heathwood Hall, in Columbia, South Carolina. “There is really no place like home,” Wilson said after making the announcement. Wilson, a multitalented 6-foot-4 wing, chose South Carolina over UConn, North Carolina and Tennessee. She averaged 35 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks as a high school senior and led her team to a state championship. Wilson was the first No. 1 ranked player to come to South Carolina.

A’ja Wilson’s Game-Changing Decision: How One Star’s Loyalty to Home Elevated a Program and Redefined Women’s College Basketball

 

Eleven years ago, the basketball world paused in anticipation as A’ja Wilson, the top-ranked player in the Class of 2014, stood before cameras and media at Heathwood Hall in Columbia, South Carolina.

The highly sought-after 6-foot-4 phenom had the attention of powerhouses like UConn, North Carolina, and Tennessee. For many, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Wilson would follow the path of other elite players by heading to storied programs like Geno Auriemma’s UConn. But Wilson had other plans—ones that would change the landscape of women’s college basketball forever.

 

“There is really no place like home,” Wilson said, her voice steady but emotional, as she announced her decision to play for Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. That simple sentence sent ripples throughout the basketball community. At that moment, Wilson didn’t just commit to a school—she made a bold statement about loyalty, belief, and building something new.

 

At the time, South Carolina was not yet considered a women’s basketball powerhouse. Dawn Staley had been slowly but steadily building the program since taking over in 2008, but they hadn’t yet reached the elite status of UConn or Tennessee. That changed with Wilson’s commitment. As the first No. 1 ranked recruit to ever choose South Carolina, she gave the program instant credibility and national attention. It wasn’t just about her talent—it was about what she represented: a new era.

 

Wilson was already a legend in her hometown. In her senior year of high school, she dominated the court, averaging 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks per game. Her performance led Heathwood Hall to a state championship and cemented her status as one of the most decorated high school players in the country. Coaches saw in her a rare combination of athleticism, versatility, and leadership. A forward who could play like a guard, Wilson had the skill set to transform a game at any moment.

 

But what truly set Wilson apart was her vision. She didn’t just want to play for a big-name program—she wanted to build one. By choosing South Carolina, she placed her trust in Coach Staley, a former Olympian and WNBA legend who understood what it meant to blaze trails. Their partnership would become one of the most successful coach-player duos in NCAA women’s basketball history.

 

Wilson’s impact was immediate and immense. During her time at South Carolina, she led the Gamecocks to their first-ever NCAA National Championship in 2017. She earned numerous accolades along the way, including the Naismith College Player of the Year and three SEC Player of the Year honors. Under her leadership, South Carolina became a perennial title contender and a top destination for other elite recruits.

 

Even after leaving college, Wilson’s influence has continued to grow. As a WNBA MVP, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces, she remains one of the most dominant figures in professional basketball. Yet she often reflects back on that decision she made as a teenager—to stay home, to believe in her coach, and to lead a program from the ground up.

 

Today, South Carolina is widely regarded as one of the premier programs in women’s basketball, and it’s hard to imagine that reality without Wilson’s foundational choice. Her legacy is not just in trophies or stats—it’s in the culture she helped create. She proved that greatness doesn’t always follow tradition; sometimes, it makes its own path.

 

A’ja Wilson didn’t just shock the world when she picked South Carolina—she changed it.