GOOD NEWS: 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
In a powerful display of loyalty, gratitude, and forward-thinking philanthropy, WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston have jointly announced a multi-million dollar endowment to the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball program. The Gamecocks legends and national champions are giving back to the school that helped launch their extraordinary careers—ensuring that future generations of student-athletes will have the resources, support, and opportunities to thrive both on and off the court.
The announcement was made Monday morning in a celebratory press conference at Colonial Life Arena, where Wilson and Boston stood shoulder to shoulder with South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, university president Michael Amiridis, and a crowd of current players, alumni, and fans. With smiles and emotion etched across their faces, the two WNBA standouts shared their vision for the “Wilson-Boston Legacy Fund,” a permanent endowment aimed at enhancing academic support, nutrition, mental health services, and facilities for the women’s basketball program.
“This place made us who we are,” said Wilson, a Columbia native and two-time WNBA MVP with the Las Vegas Aces. “The University of South Carolina gave us everything—a foundation, a platform, and a family. Now it’s our turn to give something back that lasts far beyond our playing careers.”
The fund, which totals an initial $5 million, is the largest athlete-driven donation in the history of South Carolina athletics. Wilson and Boston worked closely with university officials over the past year to design a model that not only supports the needs of current players, but also provides scholarships and mentoring programs for underserved youth across the state with aspirations of playing college basketball.
For Boston, the 2022 NCAA National Player of the Year and current forward for the Indiana Fever, the announcement marks a full-circle moment.
“I came to South Carolina as a young woman with big dreams,” Boston said. “I left with a degree, a national championship, and the lifelong guidance of Coach Staley. This is about creating a legacy that empowers others to chase their dreams too—no matter where they come from.”
Both Wilson and Boston were instrumental in the rise of South Carolina to a national powerhouse in women’s basketball. Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national title in 2017 and helped make South Carolina a recruiting juggernaut. Boston picked up the mantle soon after, guiding the team to another national championship in 2022 while anchoring one of the most dominant defenses in NCAA history. Together, they symbolize the excellence and culture of the Staley era—defined by selflessness, strength, and sisterhood.
Coach Staley, herself a fierce advocate for equity in women’s sports, was moved to tears during the event. She described the endowment as “a game-changer” and a testament to the character of two of her most iconic players.
“This is not about basketball. This is about legacy, love, and leadership,” Staley said. “A’ja and Aliyah represent the best of what we stand for—and this fund ensures that future Gamecocks will have every tool they need to succeed. I’m so proud of them I can hardly find the words.”
The Wilson-Boston Legacy Fund will be managed through the University of South Carolina Foundation, with an advisory board including former players, coaches, and community leaders helping to guide its use. Annual grants will support everything from summer bridge programs and enhanced medical care to player internships, life skills training, and alumni networking opportunities.
Beyond the campus, the fund will also support youth basketball clinics and scholarship pipelines aimed at increasing diversity and access in sports. Wilson and Boston both stressed that they wanted their gift to reach beyond the Gamecocks’ locker room.
“We didn’t just want to write a check and walk away,” said Wilson. “We’re invested in the long-term. We want to make sure South Carolina continues to be a place where young women can grow, thrive, and dream big.”
The timing of the announcement comes as women’s sports—particularly college and professional basketball—are experiencing a renaissance in popularity and influence. From sold-out arenas to record-breaking television ratings and major NIL deals, the momentum is undeniable. But with that growth comes the need for deeper investment in infrastructure, equity, and development.
“This is a bold step in the right direction,” said university president Amiridis. “A’ja and Aliyah have not only made history on the court, they are making history as philanthropists. Their leadership is helping us reimagine what athlete-driven impact can look like in the 21st century.”
Reactions to the news poured in across social media, with current players, alumni, and fans praising the generosity and vision of the duo. Former Gamecock teammates, including Tyasha Harris, Zia Cooke, and Destanni Henderson, posted heartfelt tributes, while WNBA stars like Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu publicly applauded the initiative.
“This is why we do it,” Stewart wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “A’ja and Aliyah are setting the bar for how we uplift the game and each other.”
South Carolina’s women’s basketball team, fresh off another deep NCAA tournament run, now looks ahead to a new chapter—one enriched by the legacy of two players who turned dreams into dynasties and now into enduring impact.
As the applause echoed through the arena Monday morning, the message was clear: greatness isn’t just measured in trophies, titles, or accolades—it’s measured in the lives you touch, the doors you open, and the future you help shape.
With the Wilson-Boston Legacy Fund, two Gamecock legends are ensuring that the next generation of young women will have the resources, support, and inspiration to carry the torch—and perh
aps, one day, give back just the same.