Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson wins Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The WNBA announced Wednesday that Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is the winner of the Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

The award recognizes a current player who best exemplifies the characteristics of a leader in the community where they work or live, according to the league.

Wilson received the award for her work with her self-named foundation, which benefits children with dyslexia and promotes anti-bullying efforts.

She also hosted the Unapologetic Girls Summit in Las Vegas earlier this spring to foster creativity and authenticity while offering learning experiences in financial literacy and self-care.

Dawn Staley was Wilson’s head coach for four years at the University of South Carolina. Together, they won four straight SEC Tournament championships and the 2017 national championship.

“Coach Staley has been so giving to so many people throughout her life, and I’m blessed to have been able to see firsthand how she embodies the league’s community leadership award,” Wilson said in a statement. “For me to now be in this position, trying my best to help future generations, and help my community, it is truly an honor to receive an award that is named after her.”

WNBA teams submitted nominees for the award, and a designated committee chose Wilson as the recipient. The WNBA says it will make a $10,000 donation to the charity of Wilson’s choice.