Former South Carolina standouts A'ja Wilson, Kamilla Cardoso set to battle Thursday in WNBA

COLUMBIA — Kamilla Cardoso will likely have her toughest task Thursday night since entering the WNBA: A'ja Wilson.

For the first time this year, the Las Vegas Aces will play the Chicago Sky, debuting two of coach Dawn Staley's best centers ever to play for South Carolina women's basketball. The game is at 7 p.m. at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. 

Wilson, who was recently nominated for two ESPY awards, is shattering records this season. As of June 15, she extended her streak of 20+ point games to 17, the longest in league history. On Tuesday, she was named Western Conference Player of the Week. Wilson is averaging 27.8 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season for the Aces (8-6, 6-4 Western Conference).

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The Las Vegas star will be difficult to stop for Cardoso, but her career is just beginning. Her WNBA debut was June 1, delayed by a shoulder injury. Cardoso, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is averaging 9.3 points and 7.2 rebounds for the Sky (6-9, 3-7 Eastern Conference). Cardoso is coming off a double-double game against Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday, when she had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Wilson also will face LSU alum Angel Reese. She and Wilson are the only WNBA players averaging 11+ rebounds per game this year. Reese dropped 25 points in Sunday's win and is averaging averaging 13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals. According to ESPN, Reese is the first rookie with 25 points and 15 rebounds since Wilson.

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin