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A'ja Wilson

A'ja Wilson (born August 8, 1996) in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, is a american basketball player, currently a sophomore on the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team. The 208 cm (6 ft 5 in) forward previously attended Heathwood Hall Episcopal School , before deciding to pursue college basketball at the University of South Carolina. In addition to her highschool and college prominence, Wilson has also gained international attention by leading 2013 USA Women's U19 basketball team to a gold medal over Lithuania. Wilson is also widely considered to be one of the top prospects entering into the WNBA draft draft in the coming years.

Early Life

Raised in her hometown of South Carolina, basketball wasn't always on the forefront for newcomer A'ja Wilson however, her father, Roscoe Wilson, decided differently. When A'ja was 10 years old she was enrolled into an Amateur Athletic Union team by father, Roscoe, who played basketball collegiately at Benedict College ultimately leading him to play in Europe professionally for 10 years. Initially A'ja was not to fond of the program, often times sitting on the bench, but in time she became engaged with the sport. Her father, Roscoe , began training A'ja using unorthodox methods, including shooting with a Medicine ball while wearing a Weighted vest to simulate a in game defender. By the time A'ja Wilson was in grade 8 she was already on the Heathwood Hall varsity team, later that same year she would go on to receive her first college offer from UNC Greensboro.

Highschool Career

Throughout A'ja Wilson's highschool career she has attained many skills making her a talent that can play at virtually any position, the 6-foot-5 wing, according to USA Today averaged 34.4 points, 14.5 rebounds, 5.4 blocks, 3.2 steals along with 2.3 assists per game. Through her play in highschool Wilson was named to be the Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year in 2014. In addition to her basketball success, Wilson has also proven to be academically inclined maintaining a B average as a senior, being apart of both the student council and school government as well.

College Career

The decision as to were to play college basketball came easy to A'ja Wilson as she chose to play for her hometown, South Carolina Gamecocks, despite receiving several offers from accredited basketball programs including the University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee and University of North Carolina. She is also currently majoring in psychology, with aspirations of one day planning in the Women's National Basketball Association.

Personal

Family

A'ja Wilson is the daughter of Roscoe and Eva Wilson, and has one sibling, being her older brother Renaldo wilson. A'ja is not the only athlete in the family as her father,Roscoe Wilson Jr, has also played basketball with his time at Benedict College and also became the first player from Benedict to play professionally in Europe. Roscoe Wilson Jr is also a member of the Benedict Athletic Hall Of Fame, being inducted in 2011.

Unique in game attire

When it comes to in game apparel, A'ja Wilson decides to go old school, sporting the shortened shorts, paying homage to Julius "Dr. J" Erving who to many is the primary adopter of the gear.

External links

• A'ja Wilson's Twitter profile
• A'ja Wilson in USA basketball
• A'ja Wilson's 37 point game with buzzer beater on Youtube
• Scout thoughts on A'ja Wilson
• A'ja Wilson on ask.fm