A’ja Riyadh Wilson, born August 8, 1996, in Hopkins, South Carolina, is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). A generational talent and cultural icon, she is a three-time WNBA MVP (2020, 2022, 2024), two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2022, 2023), and led the Aces to back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
Off the court, Wilson is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Dear Black Girls (2024), debuted her signature Nike A’One sneaker in 2025, and runs the A’ja Wilson Foundation supporting bullying prevention and dyslexia awareness.
A’ja Wilson Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | A’ja Riyadh Wilson |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1996 |
| Age | 28 (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player (WNBA) |
| Known For | 3× WNBA MVP, Olympic MVP, 1,000-point season |
| Hometown | Hopkins, South Carolina, USA |
| Current Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Education | Heathwood Hall Episcopal School; University of South Carolina (B.S. in Mass Communications, 2018) |
| Instagram ID | @aja22wilson |
A’ja Wilson Early Life
A’ja was born to Roscoe C. Wilson Jr., a former professional basketball player in Europe, and Eva Rakes Wilson, a court stenographer. Growing up in Hopkins, she attended the predominantly white Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she struggled with dyslexia and early self-esteem issues. Despite starting basketball late at age 11, she flourished under her father’s guidance in AAU and led Heathwood to a state title in 2014, earning McDonald’s All-American and National Player of the Year honors.
At the University of South Carolina, coached by Dawn Staley, Wilson dominated, leading the Gamecocks to their first-ever NCAA Championship in 2017 and winning National Player of the Year in 2018. She graduated as South Carolina’s all-time leading scorer and three-time SEC Player of the Year.
Education
| High School | Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Columbia, South Carolina |
| College | University of South Carolina (B.S. in Mass Communications, 2018) |
Family Details
| Field | Details |
| Father | Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. |
| Mother | Eva Rakes Wilson |
| Siblings | Older brother: Renaldo |
| Marital Status | In a relationship with Bam Adebayo (2024–present) |
| Past Relationship | Josh Cunningham (former boyfriend, high school) |
Wilson has been dating NBA star Bam Adebayo since 2024. She previously dated Josh Cunningham, a fellow basketball player. Her parents remain influential in her life, with her mother retiring in 2024—supported by A’ja’s success.
Career Highlights
Drafted #1 overall by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, Wilson made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year and leading the Aces to their first playoff run. Since then, she has become the face of the WNBA, with:
- Three WNBA MVP awards (2020, 2022, 2024)
- Two WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards (2022, 2023)
- Two WNBA Championships (2022, 2023)
- 2023 WNBA Finals MVP
- First 1,000-point season in WNBA history (2024)
- Olympic Gold Medals (2020, 2024) and Olympic MVP (2024)
In 2025, despite a wrist injury, Wilson dropped 34 points and 16 rebounds (July 12) and 37 points and 10 rebounds (July 16), showcasing her unmatched dominance.
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Breakthrough | 2018 Rookie of the Year; WNBA MVP in just her third season (2020) |
| Historic Feat | First WNBA player to score 1,000 points in a single season (2024) |
| Major Awards | 3× MVP, 2× DPOY, Finals MVP, 2× Olympic Gold, Olympic MVP |
| Notable Work | Author of Dear Black Girls; Launched Nike A’One sneaker (2025) |
| 2024 Stats | 26.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 51.8% FG |
Net Worth and Income
| Field | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $3–$5 million (2025 estimate) |
| WNBA Salary (2024) | $200,000 (Las Vegas Aces) |
| Endorsements | Nike (A’One sneaker), Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Ruffles |
| Other Ventures | Burnt Wax Candles, Dear Black Girls book sales, Masters Fitness App |
Wilson is one of the WNBA’s top earners, with lucrative deals from Nike, Gatorade, and more. In 2025, she debuted her signature Nike A’One sneaker, a major cultural milestone.
Controversies
- Signature Shoe Inequity (2024): A’ja spoke candidly about needing “historic success” as a Black woman to earn a Nike deal, contrasting with some White peers who secured early contracts. Her remarks sparked widespread debate around equity in women’s sports endorsements.
- Wrist Injury (July 2025): Suffered a sprained right wrist and entered concussion protocol after a fall on July 8. Missed one game but returned to score 34 and 37 points in back-to-back performances.
A’ja Wilson Recent Updates
2023–2024
- Championship Repeat (2023): Led Las Vegas Aces to a second straight title; named Finals MVP.
- Book Release (Feb 2024): Dear Black Girls becomes a NYT bestseller.
- Olympic Gold & MVP (Aug 2024): Won gold at the Paris Olympics and was named FIBA Women’s Olympic MVP.
- Unanimous MVP (2024): First player to score 1,000 points in a season and earn MVP unanimously.
- NBA 2K25 Cover (July 2024): Featured solo on the WNBA edition and co-cover with Jayson Tatum on All-Star edition.
2025
- Jersey Retirement (Feb): South Carolina retired her jersey; she became the first woman in school history to receive the honor.
- TIME Women of the Year (Mar): Recognized for her advocacy and impact in sports.
- Nike A’One Shoe Launch (May): Released her signature hot pink sneaker.
- July 2025 Performances: Returned from injury to post monster games (34 and 37 points).
- WNBA All-Star Game (July): Scored 22 points for Team Collier in a high-profile showcase.