**BREAKING: A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston Announce Multi-Million Dollar Endowment for Gamecocks Women’s Basketball**
In a groundbreaking move that underscores their enduring legacy and commitment to women’s sports, WNBA stars and former South Carolina Gamecocks A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston have jointly announced a multi-million dollar endowment to support the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program. The donation, one of the largest ever by former NCAA women’s basketball players, will provide scholarships, mentorship, and facility enhancements aimed at sustaining the Gamecocks’ status as a national powerhouse.
Both Wilson and Boston are alumni of the South Carolina program under Coach Dawn Staley, having led the Gamecocks to national championships and helping elevate the program to elite status. Now, as champions and trailblazers in the WNBA, they are using their success to give back to the university that helped launch their careers.
“This program gave us everything—support, opportunity, and a platform,” said A’ja Wilson, the 2020 WNBA MVP and two-time league champion. “Aliyah and I wanted to make sure future Gamecocks have even more than we did.”
Aliyah Boston, the 2022 Naismith Player of the Year and a current standout for the Indiana Fever, emphasized the long-term vision behind the gift. “We’re not just investing in basketball,” Boston said. “We’re investing in education, leadership, and legacy. This endowment is about making sure South Carolina continues to be a place where young women can grow into the best versions of themselves.”
The endowment will fund full scholarships for underprivileged student-athletes, create a mentorship initiative linking current players with alumni and professionals, and contribute to ongoing upgrades at Colonial Life Arena and training facilities. Coach Dawn Staley, visibly emotional during the announcement, called the gift “transformative.”
“It’s beyond generous—it’s historic,” Staley said. “This is what leadership looks like. A’ja and Aliyah are paving the way, not just on the court but in life.”
The announcement comes as the Gamecocks continue to dominate women’s college basketball, winning the 2024 national title and boasting a pipeline of future stars. With this endowment, Wilson and Boston are ensuring the next generation of Gamecocks have every opportunity to soar—on and off the court.
Their message is clear: success isn’t just about championships; it’s about lifting others as you rise.
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