A’ja Wilson’s Legacy Shines With Forbes Honor And Hall Of Fame Induction

A’ja Wilson is HER! With an accolade list that just keeps getting longer, she continues to cement her legacy on and off the court.

Wilson is the first player in WNBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, league MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year all in the same season. And now adding to her list, the Las Vegas Aces star was just inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame and named one of Forbes America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports.

Earlier this week, Forbes released their list of America’s Most Powerful Women in Sports and Wilson made the list at #15! Considering the year she’s had; it should come as no surprise to anyone paying attention to women in sports.

“Fresh off winning the 2025 WNBA championship and securing her record fourth MVP Award, A’ja Wilson has cemented her status as a generational talent,” Forbes wrote. They went on to explain that her “influence extends beyond the hardwood.” In December, the Aces star signed a six-year extension with Nike and in May, released her first signature shoe and apparel line.

Wilson also authored her first book, “Dear Black Girls.” It became a bestseller in 2024.

On Thursday, Wilson was honored at her alma mater, the University of South Carolina, as she was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. They also retired her #22 jersey.

“Before her arrival, the Gamecocks had never recorded a 30-win season; under her leadership, they notched three,” they wrote. “Wilson helped deliver their first championship.”

And the list goes on. Before Wilson, USC never made it to the Final Four, but with her, they made it twice. She also became the program’s first Naismith National Player of the Year.

While giving her speech, Wilson had to try to hold back tears.

“This is definitely, probably, top 3. When you’re a Hall-of-Famer, no matter where you are, it’s special,” Wilson said, according to Essentially Sports. “It’s truly been a long journey, but this city, this state has welcomed me with wide-open arms.”

Wilson’s list of accomplishments, accolades, awards, and honors is miles long.

Just to name a few: she was the first player in league history to win a championship, league MVP, Finals MVP, and DPOY all in the same season, four-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA champion, six-time WNBA All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and the list goes on and on.

A recent Instagram post shared by the Aces shows Wilson’s statue outside of her alma mater, and fans had nothing but great things to say in the comments.

“Well deserved! Aja might as well be a superhero,” one viewer wrote. Another added, “All I see is hard work and talent.” One other said, “LEGENDARY!”

That’s right – add to that amazing list of accomplishments – her very own LEGO!

About a month ago, Nike, LEGO, and Wilson shared a collab on Instagram announcing something exciting.

“There’s only one @aja22wilson. Well, Kind of. Introducing the tiniest host of the biggest mini sports show – Clicked In. All about sport and style with takes from the real one herself. Coming soon,” the video is captioned.

Fans were super excited to hear this news and took to the comment section to share their thoughts.

“MV’4 Things,” one person wrote. Another added, “I can’t wait to get one!” Many others just left fire, clapping, and heart emojis.

The Aces proved that the “house always wins” after they won their third WNBA Championship in just four years. One week after winning Game 4 of the Finals against the Phoenix Mercury, sweeping the series, the team paraded down the Las Vegas Strip for an epic celebration that brought thousands and thousands of fans out to Toshiba Plaza.

Wilson was in the front of the bus proudly holding her trophy as the parade ended and the party got started. While on stage, she gave a short speech to the excited crowd.

“First, I really want to thank each and every last one of you guys that’s on the stage, give it up for yourselves. We were in the trenches, and everybody was looking at everybody sideways, but we always had belief, and I love y’all for that,” she said. “For my teammates, my girlies, oh my God, I love y’all with my whole heart.”

She further explained that this team is a “special group.” When Wilson turned to head coach Becky Hammon, she said she can’t talk long because “Becky will have me crying up here,” and that’s exactly what followed.

“But when you’re talking about a woman that pours into you, that sacrifices for you, that loves you for who you are, that’s that m-therf-cker, Becky Hammon,” she said.