National Champions and WNBA Stars Give Back to Their Alma Mater, Creating Lasting Opportunities for Future Generations
April 29, 2025 — Columbia, South Carolina
In a landmark moment for college athletics, ESPN is reporting that WNBA superstars and South Carolina legends 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 endowment, totaling a reported $7.5 million, will serve as a permanent investment into the future of the Gamecocks’ dynasty, supporting scholarships, facilities, and professional development programs for student-athletes. It’s believed to be the largest private donation ever made to a women’s college basketball program by former players.
“We owe so much of who we are to South Carolina,” Wilson said in an emotional press conference Tuesday morning at Colonial Life Arena. “This is our way of saying thank you — and making sure the next generation of young women have every opportunity to dream bigger than we ever imagined.”
Boston echoed those sentiments, adding, “We are standing on the shoulders of so many who came before us. Now it’s our turn to lift others higher.”
Legacy in Action
Both Wilson and Boston are household names — Wilson leading South Carolina to its first national title in 2017 and Boston anchoring the team’s dominant 2022 championship run. Since entering the WNBA, both have captured MVP honors, multiple All-Star selections, and become iconic ambassadors for women’s basketball.
Now, they are cementing their impact off the court.
The endowment will fund academic support initiatives, mental health resources, state-of-the-art training equipment, and mentorship programs linking current players with alumnae networks across professional sports, business, and community leadership.
University President Michael Amiridis praised the move, saying, “A’ja and Aliyah continue to inspire. This gift is transformative, not just financially but symbolically. It shows every player who comes through our doors that excellence is a tradition — and a responsibility.”
A New Era for Women’s College Basketball?
Experts believe Wilson and Boston’s contribution could be the start of a major shift. As women’s college basketball gains unprecedented popularity and visibility, former players are beginning to reinvest in the programs that launched them onto the national stage.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, who coached both Wilson and Boston to national titles, was visibly moved at the announcement.
“They’re making history once again,” Staley said. “But more than that, they’re changing lives. That’s what real leadership looks like.”
The endowment will officially launch with a gala event this fall, where current Gamecocks players will have the chance to meet Wilson and Boston and begin shaping the future they helped build.
