In an inspiring move that blends the legacy of on-court excellence with off-court impact, WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston have announced the launch of a multi-million dollar endowment dedicated to supporting the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program. This bold philanthropic effort, one of the most significant of its kind in collegiate sports, not only reaffirms their loyalty to their alma mater but also represents a powerful investment in the future of women’s basketball. The endowment, aptly titled “The Gamecock Greats Initiative,” aims to support scholarships, academic resources, mental health services, and athletic development for current and future players.
Both Wilson and Boston are former national champions under head coach Dawn Staley and foundational figures in the transformation of South Carolina into a powerhouse. Their dominance in the NCAA ranks and ongoing excellence in the WNBA have positioned them as icons in the sport. Yet, their shared vision for empowering the next generation of Gamecocks extends beyond statistics and accolades. With this endowment, they are ensuring that young women will have the opportunity to pursue greatness without the limitations that financial constraints or lack of institutional resources may impose.
The origins of this initiative can be traced back to long conversations between Wilson and Boston during WNBA offseason workouts. Though they represent different teams—Wilson with the Las Vegas Aces and Boston with the Indiana Fever—the two share a bond forged in Columbia, South Carolina. Both athletes have credited Dawn Staley for shaping them into not only elite players but also impactful women who understand their influence. As Wilson put it during the announcement ceremony held at Colonial Life Arena, “South Carolina didn’t just give me a jersey. It gave me a voice. It gave me a purpose. And now, it’s our turn to give back.”
Aliyah Boston echoed those sentiments, adding that the endowment is “not just about basketball. It’s about creating an ecosystem where women can thrive academically, mentally, and professionally. We want to be part of that transformation.” The duo’s commitment to holistic development reflects their understanding that success in sports is deeply connected to support off the court. This is a key tenet of Coach Staley’s philosophy and now, thanks to this initiative, a permanent part of the program’s legacy.
The structure of the endowment is comprehensive. In its initial phase, the fund will provide full scholarships for three walk-on players annually, allowing athletes who might otherwise be overlooked to focus entirely on their development. It will also underwrite mental wellness services—a resource Wilson and Boston both believe is vital to performance and personal growth. As athletes who have navigated the pressures of being in the national spotlight, their emphasis on mental health brings urgency to an often underfunded area of student-athlete life.
Another significant component involves mentorship and career development. Wilson and Boston have pledged to participate in biannual leadership retreats with the team, offering insight into life as professional athletes and the nuances of managing fame, finances, and advocacy. Additionally, the endowment will fund a new “Gamecock Futures” program, a summer seminar series featuring professionals in broadcasting, sports medicine, business management, and more—ensuring that players leave South Carolina prepared for any path they choose.
While this initiative may feel unprecedented, it is very much in character for both women. A’ja Wilson has long been recognized as a trailblazer in women’s basketball, with a track record of using her platform to elevate social causes. Her A’ja Wilson Foundation, which advocates for education and dyslexia awareness, has already changed lives. Boston, though younger, has followed in those footsteps with impressive poise and purpose. As a rookie, she launched a youth training camp in the U.S. Virgin Islands and has spoken frequently about the responsibility she feels to give back.
The ripple effects of this endowment are already being felt. High school recruits and their families are taking note of the Gamecocks’ unmatched level of alumni support. “It’s one thing to say ‘Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock,’” said Dawn Staley at the press event. “But what A’ja and Aliyah are doing—putting millions of dollars behind that sentiment—is generational leadership. This is how dynasties are built. Not just with banners, but with legacy.”
Indeed, South Carolina’s dynasty has been years in the making, and Wilson and Boston are two of its brightest stars. Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national championship in 2017, earning National Player of the Year honors and etching her name in school history. Just a few years later, Boston picked up the baton, guiding South Carolina to another title and becoming one of the most decorated players in college basketball history. Their careers bookend an era defined by consistency, dominance, and transformation.
Now, as Wilson racks up MVP trophies and WNBA championships and Boston establishes herself as one of the most exciting young stars in the league, their decision to return value to their roots sets a new precedent. The sports world has witnessed male athletes contributing to their college programs for decades, particularly in football and men’s basketball. Yet the scale and focus of this initiative mark a powerful moment for women’s athletics—underscoring how far the game has come and how committed its leaders are to accelerating that progress.
It also speaks volumes about the culture Dawn Staley has cultivated at South Carolina. Few programs inspire this level of alumni loyalty, and fewer still produce stars who feel such a deep obligation to steward the legacy they helped create. This culture is the bedrock of South Carolina’s success, and now it has a financial engine capable of sustaining it for generations.
Fans, alumni, and community members were visibly moved during the announcement, many wiping tears as Wilson and Boston hugged at center court. For them, these players are more than athletes. They are family. Their return to Columbia for this announcement was met with standing ovations and chants of “Thank you, A’ja” and “We love you, Aliyah.” It was a moment that encapsulated what makes college sports so powerful—the shared history, the emotion, and the sense of belonging.
Local businesses and university officials have also committed to matching portions of the endowment over the next five years, creating a wave of momentum that will likely extend well beyond basketball. University President Michael Amiridis called the moment “a defining chapter in the history of South Carolina athletics,” and suggested that the endowment could serve as a template for future collaborations between elite alumni and the university system.
Looking ahead, Wilson and Boston plan to stay involved, not only as donors but as mentors. Both have promised to visit campus annually and continue advocating for player empowerment, NIL opportunities, and gender equity in collegiate athletics. Their presence in the WNBA, along with their new philanthropic ventures, signals a broader shift in how athletes perceive their role in shaping institutions.
In a world where success is often measured by points, wins, and trophies, A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston have chosen a different metric. They’ve chosen legacy. They’ve chosen impact. And they’ve chosen to elevate others with the same passion and grit that made them champions. The Gamecock Greats Initiative is more than an endowment—it’s a love letter to the past, a promise to the future, and a celebration of what happens when greatness refuses to end at the final buzzer.
As the next wave of Gamecocks laces up their sneakers in Columbia, they’ll do so knowing that two of the greatest to ever wear the garnet and black are still in their corner—investing not only in their skills, but in their lives. And that kind of support? That’s how champions are made. Again and again.
