The university has only retired jerseys, not numbers, since at least 2007. They appear to be making an exception for Wilson and No. 22. In a brief ceremony Sunday, Wilson thanked her parents, USC teammates, Gamecock fans and, of course, Staley.

The South Carolina athletics department’s policy says that players’ jerseys can be retired, but not numbers. So technically a future player could wear No. 22 despite Gamecock legend A’ja Wilson having her jersey retired on Sunday.

Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson had her South Carolina No. 22 jersey hung in the rafters at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday

It's only fitting that on Feb. 2 -- 2/2 -- a pair of No. 22s are being retired in women's college basketball on Sunday. South Carolina retired the No. 22 of A'ja Wilson in a pregame ceremony that left the three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player choking back tears at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia,

Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson pulled up to her old stomping grounds at South Carolina to have her No. 22 jersey and was dressed for the occasion.