After South Carolina’s surprising 82–59 defeat to UConn in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship, A’ja Wilson, a star forward for the Las Vegas Aces and a proud alumna of South Carolina, shared her thoughts publicly. The loss ended South Carolina’s incredible 43-game winning streak, and many fans and commentators described it as a rare letdown for head coach Dawn Staley, who has led the program to national prominence. Despite the magnitude of the defeat, Wilson approached the situation with humor, expressing relief that none of her teammates from UCLA would give her a hard time over the Gamecocks’ loss.
Wilson’s respect and admiration for Staley remain as strong as ever. She has often spoken highly of her former coach, even referring to her as a “second mother.” During her jersey retirement ceremony at South Carolina, Wilson emotionally thanked Staley for shaping her both as an athlete and a person. Her words were filled with appreciation, signaling that no single game—no matter how significant—can tarnish Staley’s legacy or the bond they share.
In the midst of the discussion surrounding the championship loss, Wilson also addressed the performance of UConn’s star, Paige Bueckers. She acknowledged what many already see—Bueckers is an elite talent with a deep understanding of her platform and privilege. Wilson has previously praised Bueckers for carrying herself with humility and grace, noting that she doesn’t take her success for granted. Her comments reinforce the idea that true greatness in women’s basketball is about character as much as it is about skill.
