Two former Gamecock stars earn big-time WNBA honors

Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson and Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray have been named Western and Eastern Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played May 26th to June 1st, the WNBA announced on Tuesday morning.

This marks the 23rd time Wilson has won Player of the Week — placing her fourth all-time in that category. Only Tina Charles (32), Candace Parker (27), and Elena Delle Donne (24) have more recognitions in their career.

Gray, meanwhile, earns the honors for the first time in her 9-year WNBA career.

A’ja Wilson averaged 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game across two wins, shooting 52.5% from the field.

Wilson recorded a season-high 35 points in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks on May 30th, notching her 18th 30-point double-double, the most in league history.

So far this season, the three-time MVP is averaging 22.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.2 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game, leading the Las Vegas Aces in every statistical category. The Aces are 4-2 on the year.

Allisha Gray was named Player of the Week after averaging 26.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 65.2% from the field and 62.5% from three-point range.

Gray tallied 25 points on 7-8 shooting in a win over the Los Angeles Sparks, and followed that with a career-high 28 points in a comeback victory over the Seattle Storm.

Gray is the first Dream player to win Player of the Week since Rhyne Howard did so in 2022. So far this season, she is averaging 21.4 points and 4.6 assists per game, both career highs. The Dream are 5-2 to start the season, their best start since the 2016 season.