New York, NY (WLTX) - — A'ja Wilson of the South Carolina Gamecocks has been selected as the number one overall selection in the 2018 WNBA Draft held Thursday night in New York City.
Las Vegas Aces head coach and president of basketball operations Bill Laimbeer recently said taking Wilson would be an "easy pick."
It's no surprise why.
The unanimous national player of the year, Wilson's game in college combined size and strength in the paint with the ability to hit medium range jumpers and occasionally, the 3-point shot would be displayed. Now the 6-5 Wilson will put her skills to the test against the WNBA's best.
Wilson concluded her career at USC as the most decorated athlete in program history. She is the all-time leading scorer and became the first player ever to be named SEC Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons.
Wilson is the first Gamecock to be picked number one in the WNBA Draft. She's also only the third Gamecock to be taken first in any pro draft: the only others to hold that distinction was football star Jadeveon Clowney, when he was the first choice in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Heisman Trophy Winner George Rogers, back in 1981.
Of those, she's the first who grew up in the Columbia area.
The Heathwood Hall graduate will be the face of a franchise which relocated from San Antonio in December. The Aces will play their home games at the Mandalay Bay Events Center which seats 12,000 fans.