S 1283  Resolution, By Allen
 A SENATE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE A'JA WILSON OF THE LAS VEGAS ACES FOR HER
 ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE WNBA'S  2020 SEASON, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON
 WINNING THE LEAGUE'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD.
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   09/23/20  Senate Introduced and adopted (Senate Journal-page 55)

TO RECOGNIZE A'JA WILSON OF THE LAS VEGAS ACES FOR HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING THE WNBA'S 2020 SEASON, AND TO CONGRATULATE HER ON WINNING THE LEAGUE'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD.

Whereas the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to take the time to recognize the significant contributions and successes of this great State's native sons and daughters. A'ja Wilson, originally of Hopkins, is an individual worthy of continued recognition, most recently for her exceptional performance as a member of the Las Vegas Aces professional basketball team; and

Whereas, originally drafted by the Las Vegas Aces as the overall number one pick in the 2018 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft, A'ja was named the league's most valuable player (MVP) on September 17, 2020, only three seasons into her professional career; and

Whereas, leading Las Vegas to an 18-4 record during the shortened 2020 season, Wilson averaged 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game during the regular season, and she helped secure the Aces top seed in the WNBA playoffs with a double bye into a best-of-five games semifinal matchup against the Connecticut Sun; and

Whereas, in a near unanimous vote for the league's most valuable player honor, she received forty-three out of forty-seven first place votes, easily outpacing her nearest competitor, the 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm; and

Whereas, known for her leadership and dependability on the court, A'ja builds upon a career of success, and her name now appears on the list with the WNBA's all-time greatest, which, in her words, is "something that a kid dreams of"; and

Whereas, this crowning achievement builds on a collegiate career of countless awards, program and conference records, and the 2017 national championship she won during her time as a Gamecock with the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, A'ja was informed of the MVP honor by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Thursday, September 17, 2020, in the league's bubble at IMG Sports Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Having a notably emotional response to Engelbert's speech, A'ja attributed her success to the focus she was able to bring during the offseason, in quarantine, which allowed her to "hone in on little things to help me be more consistent all the time"; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is proud to be able to call A'ja Wilson a daughter of the Palmetto State, to congratulate her on her latest accolade, and wish her the greatest success in all her future endeavors. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces for her accomplishments during the WNBA's 2020 season, and congratulate her on winning the league's Most Valuable Player award.

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