“With the first pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, the Las Vegas Aces select A’ja
Wilson.”
On April 12, former South Carolina standout A’ja Wilson heard her name called
first overall in the Draft by WNBA President Lisa Borders, changing her life
forever.
Wilson was the first player ever picked by the newly located Aces, formerly the
San Antonio Stars, thus beginning a new era and a fresh identity for women’s
basketball in Las Vegas.
“What I am excited about the most about being here is that I am a part of the
group that is trying to make women’s basketball popular in Vegas,” Wilson said
this week, three games into her pro career.
The 6-foot-4 forward is off to a hot start, averaging 19.5 points and 7.3
rebounds, both of which lead the rookie class.
Acclimating to professional sports is often times a transition that is felt in
so many ways on and off the court. In Wilson’s case, she is learning how to be a
professional basketball player in one of the most iconic and popular cities in
the world.
As seen in her @WNBA Social Media Takeover during her graduation day from South
Carolina, her infectious personality makes her beloved by so many people around
her. That personality allows the transition to the bright lights of Vegas to be
less challenging for A’ja compared to a typical young adult becoming a
celebrity.
“A lot of people will think how crazy the lifestyle is, and this is such a
popular spot to be in, but people see so many popular people everyday that it
hasn’t been as wild as people may expect so far for me,” said Wilson. “But in
terms of living out there and having beautiful views of the strip from my home,
there is not really much more I could ask for.”
There is a lot of ‘new’ surrounding the Aces franchise this season outside of
Wilson joining the team. New name, new location, new arena, and new president of
basketball operations and head coach.
Bill Laimbeer comes over to the Aces after four seasons with the New York
Liberty, where he won WNBA Coach of the Year in 2015. His experience as a player
in the NBA and longtime coaching history in the WNBA has helped Wilson
immensely.
“I am blessed to have him as my coach. I really am,” she said. “I’m lucky that
he played my position back when he played, so the fact that he knows what it
takes from my position’s standpoint to be successful is huge.
“I know Coach Laimbeer has my back. He may come in and expect a lot from me on a
given day, but he also understands that I am still new to this. I am very
excited to continue to work with him.”
On May 27, Wilson and her Aces debuted in their new arena in the Mandalay Bay
Resort and Casino. She was impressed with the turnout, noting how engaging the
fans were and seeing how much they cared about the game.
“It was incredible. The atmosphere was great. The fans were awesome and were
really into it. We had different fan bases come, from families to basketball
junkies,” Wilson said. “I feel like we put on a show that people will want to
come back to, and that is really special for what we are doing in women’s
basketball.”
The Aces are off to a 0-4 start to the season, but growing pains are to be
expected early on for the young team. For Wilson, she is focused on getting
comfortable with the increased speed and strength that is exhibited at the WNBA
level.
“The game is bigger, stronger, and faster so I have to know how to be the player
I was in college and do the things I did there, but at this level,” Wilson said.
“So it is a lot of learning — learning on the fly. Now I am playing basketball
for a living, so I have so much more time on my hands to just learn how to
become the best player I can be at this level.”
A’ja Wilson grew up watching the WNBA and through the years began to emulate
some of her favorite players when she played. Now, in the WNBA, she is playing
against those exact players she grew up idolizing.
“I have always loved Elena Delle Donne. I think when we played the Washington
Mystics, that was my ‘idols become your rivals’ moment that I have had. It was
crazy, I have so much respect for her, well all the women in the league, but
playing against her was a special moment,” said Wilson. “In college I would
always watch her game and try to emulate some of the things she did. But to
guard her at this level? It was definitely one of those eye-opening moments.”
For A’ja and the Aces, this season will be one of finding their footing, gaining
consistency with one another, and establishing an identity. Though its only a
few games into her rookie season, the Aces seem to have a player they can build
around for a long time to come.
