LAS VEGAS — On Father’s Day, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson’s father, Roscoe Wilson, spent the day doing what he values most: being with family.
Speaking with Vegas Sports Today, Wilson reflected on fatherhood, watching his daughter’s remarkable journey, and the lessons he believes every parent should embrace.
“I’m doing it right now,” Wilson said with a smile when asked about his Father’s Day plans. “Got up, had breakfast, saw A’ja. It’s already started, and it’s getting better and better.”
For Wilson, Father’s Day isn’t about gifts or celebrations. It’s about time.
“I take nothing for granted,” he said. “Every Father’s Day is very special because it’s another time I have with my daughter. We could just be sitting around the house, and I’m enjoying it. I just like being in her presence.”
The Disney World Moment That Said Everything
While A’ja Wilson would go on to become a state champion, NCAA champion, Olympic gold medalist, WNBA MVP, and 3x WNBA champion, her father says he knew she was special long before the trophies arrived.
The moment came during a family trip to Disney World when A’ja was just a young girl.
“We took her to Disney World because she was excited to see Minnie Mouse,” Wilson recalled. “The day we got there, it was a monsoon. It was raining sheets and sheets of rain. Everybody was saying, ‘Oh man, this is terrible.’”
A’ja’s reaction was much different.
“She looked at me like, ‘What’s the big deal? It’s just rain. Let’s go,’” Wilson said. “We put on ponchos, went to Disney World, rode every ride, and she never complained.”
That experience left a lasting impression.
“That right there told me she was focused,” he said. “She knew how to push through adversity. You can take that and spread it over everything—adversity, success, whatever comes your way. That says it all right there. That’s why I love my daughter.”
One Step at a Time
Looking back on A’ja’s incredible career, Wilson doesn’t believe his daughter meticulously mapped out every achievement.
Instead, he says her success came from consistently building on each accomplishment.
“I think she took one step at a time,” Wilson explained. “One event, one success, and everything sort of came together. She built upon it. Once she gained one success, she put that underneath the next one and kept building.”
According to Wilson, that mindset hasn’t changed.
“She’s still doing that now.”
The Importance of Fathers
Wilson also shared a message about the vital role fathers play in their children’s lives.
“It’s super important,” he said. “A father brings a totally different perspective than a mother. Equal, but different.”
He believes children benefit from learning from both parents.
“A piece of dad and a piece of mom help make up who they are,” Wilson said. “Just like blood comes together to make a person, different perspectives come together to help guide them.”
Advice for Young Fathers
For fathers hoping to raise successful children—whether in sports or in life—Wilson kept his advice simple.
“Just commit to being a good dad,” he said. “Commit to being a good father, a God-like father, and everything else will fall into place.”
As Father’s Day continued, Wilson was exactly where he wanted to be: surrounded by family, appreciating the time he has with the daughter he helped raise into one of the most accomplished athletes in the world.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there,” Wilson said.
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