ESPN REPORT: A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston Announce Multi-Million Dollar Endowment for Gamecocks Women’s Basketball
National Champions and WNBA Stars Give Back to Their Alma Mater, Creating Lasting Opportunities for Future Generations
COLUMBIA, SC – May 7, 2025 — In a moment that perfectly blends legacy, loyalty, and leadership, WNBA stars and South Carolina legends A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston have announced the establishment of a multi-million dollar endowment for the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program. The announcement was made Wednesday morning during a special ceremony at Colonial Life Arena, and the impact is already being hailed as historic.
The endowment, jointly funded by Wilson and Boston, will support scholarships, player development, academic resources, and wellness programs for Gamecock women’s basketball. According to university officials, the gift represents the largest player-led philanthropic contribution in South Carolina athletics history — and among the largest in all of women’s college basketball.
“South Carolina gave us more than just a place to play,” Wilson said during the announcement. “It gave us a family, an education, and a platform. This is about giving that same opportunity to the next generation of women who put on that jersey.”
Aliyah Boston echoed the sentiment. “This program changed our lives. Now it’s time for us to help shape the lives of others. We want to ensure that young women coming through South Carolina have everything they need — not just to win championships, but to grow as people and leaders.”
The endowment — called the Legacy Fund — will be managed in partnership with the Gamecock Club and the university’s athletic department. A portion of the fund will be allocated annually to support current players, enhance facilities, and expand resources for life after basketball. A key component will also support NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) education and mentorship, ensuring that athletes can thrive in the modern college sports landscape.
The move is emblematic of the powerful alumni culture cultivated under longtime head coach Dawn Staley, who was present at the announcement and visibly emotional. “A’ja and Aliyah represent the heart of this program,” Staley said. “Their success on the court speaks for itself, but what they’re doing off the court — this gift, this legacy — that’s what real greatness looks like.”
Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist, helped lead the Gamecocks to their first NCAA championship in 2017. Boston followed in her footsteps, anchoring the 2022 national title team and earning multiple National Player of the Year honors. Both players have continued to dominate professionally while maintaining strong ties to their alma mater.
This isn’t the first time either has given back, but the scale of the Legacy Fund sets a new benchmark. It’s a powerful signal of the shifting landscape in women’s sports — where players are not only stars, but leaders, philanthropists, and builders of institutional excellence.
The Gamecock community erupted in celebration following the announcement. Fans, students, and alumni flooded social media with gratitude and pride, praising Wilson and Boston not only for their athletic brilliance but for their commitment to uplifting others.
With the Legacy Fund, A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston are not just rewriting the record books — they’re redefining what it means to give back. For generations of Gamecocks to come, their impact will be felt far beyond the hardwood.
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