Long before A’ja Wilson earned her title as a two-time WNBA MVP, her dad was making waves on basketball courts across Europe while her mom was busy creating her own business empire. Their experiences, packed with victories and challenges, played a big role in molding her into the strong competitor and leader she is now.
A’ja Wilson Recalls Her Parents’ Sacrifices, Role in Her WNBA Success
Wilson has shared how her parents, especially her mother helped her improve. “My mom never really sugarcoated anything for me. I really appreciate that because later in life…they didn’t sugarcoat anything,” she said in her autobiography “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You.”
In a 2022 interview discussing her collaboration with Ruffles, she highlighted their sacrifices, saying, “I’m having my parents come and enjoy the moment with me I truly miss them in Tokyo because, I mean, it’s a big moment that was my first one.”
“So this go around — just my parents coming out and I guess having letting them experience it will be my biggest special experience because they’ve sacrificed so much for me to be here”
“I mean I’ve told this story a million times; I had an Olympic team birthday party. They put that together, so to now have them and actually come and experience the actual Olympics,” she added.
Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. had an impressive basketball career of his own that sparked his daughter’s love for the game. He was a standout at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., where he made a name for himself as a dominant player. After college, he enjoyed a 10-year professional career in Europe, playing for teams in seven different countries from 1974 to 1984.
Roscoe also took on coaching, famously guiding a women’s team to the Swedish national semifinals. His time overseas deepened his knowledge of basketball, which he later shared with A’ja as she grew up.
A’ja’s mother, Eva Rakes Wilson, is an entrepreneur and has a strong commitment to her community. She graduated from South Carolina State University, an HBCU, with a degree in business administration, which laid the groundwork for her diverse business. She started a court stenographer service and later created Pursenally Yours, a fashion brand known for its chic handbags and accessories.
When it comes to supporting her daughter, Eva advised A’ja, saying to Andscape’s Mia Berry, “I tell A’ja, don’t worry about all this other stuff, because guess what, if it’s for you, it’s for you, I believe that.”
“If it’s for you, nobody can take it away from you.”
Renaldo Wilson, A’ja’s older sibling, has been a major source of inspiration in her life. He’s an athlete as well, playing college basketball and then taking his game overseas to play professionally, just like their father. Additionally, Renaldo has built a career as a DJ, performing with the name “DJ Puff.”
Peace for A.J .W🚶♀️✌️ The game 🏀
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