A senate RESOLUTION

to recognize and honor A'ja Wilson, a highly accomplished professional basketball player for the two-time world champion Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association, and to congratulate her for inclusion in the 2024 South Carolina African American History Calendar.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that A'ja Wilson a homegrown, family-oriented, and down-to-earth media darling, has been included in the 2024 South Carolina African American History Calendar; and

Whereas, a graduate of Columbia's Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, she earned a bachelor's degree in mass communications from the University of South Carolina where she played for the South Carolina Gamecocks, became the school's all-time leading scorer, and helped lead the Gamecocks to their first NCAA Women's Basketball Championship in 2017; and

Whereas, as the consensus National Player of the Year in 2018, Ms. Wilson was selected first overall in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, and after her first year, she claimed WNBA Rookie of the Year honors with the Las Vegas Aces. In subsequent years, she has won two WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards, two WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, a Best WNBA Player ESPY Award, and an Olympic gold medal as part of the 2020 United States team; and

Whereas, she has led the Aces to two WNBA championships, been named to the WNBA All-Star team five times, and won First-Team All WNBA accolades three times. Her versatility and all-around talent can be seen in the fact that she holds the single-game WNBA scoring record with 53 points and led the league in blocked shots three different times; and

Whereas, when off the court, Ms. Wilson has found the time to be an entrepreneur, author, spokeswoman, and philanthropist. She started the Burnt Wax Candle Company, is publishing a book entitled Dear Black Girls, and serves as a spokeswoman for Nike and Starry. Her A'ja Wilson Foundation advocates for preventing bullying and education around dyslexia; and

Whereas, named to Forbes magazine's "30 Under 30 List," A'ja Wilson persists in bringing pride and recognition to the Palmetto State. The South Carolina Senate wishes her much success in all her future endeavors, and the members look forward to following her continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor A'ja Wilson, a highly accomplished professional basketball player for the two-time world champion Las Vegas Aces of the Women's National Basketball Association, and congratulate her for inclusion in the 2024 South Carolina African American History Calendar.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to A'ja Wilson.

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