Early Life and College Career
Roscoe C. Wilson Jr. was born around 1952 in Columbia, South Carolina. His upbringing was grounded in discipline and service—his father, Roscoe Sr., served as a pastor at St. John Baptist Church, while his mother, Ethel C. Wilson, was a professor at Benedict College.
Wilson began his collegiate basketball journey at Benedict College in 1969. As a 6’7” center, he quickly became a dominant force in both the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and NAIA. His sophomore year saw an astounding average of 22.5 rebounds per game, including a single-game high of 35 rebounds.
He earned All-SIAC and NAIA All-American honors three consecutive times from 1971–1973. By the time he graduated in 1973, Wilson had etched his name into the record books as one of Benedict’s greatest athletes.
| Year | Achievement | Stat/Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Joined Benedict College | Center position |
| 1971–1973 | All-SIAC and NAIA All-American | 3x consecutive honors |
| 1971 | Sophomore year rebounding average | 22.5 RPG |
| 1972 | Highest single-game rebound record | 35 rebounds |
| 1973 | Graduated and tried out with New York Nets | Brief preseason appearance |
Global Pro Career and Coaching Milestones
Wilson made history in 1974 as the first Benedict College alumnus to sign professionally in Europe. He played in Sweden, averaging 25 points and 20 rebounds per game, leading the club Helsingborg to a Swedish national cup victory.
Between 1974 and 1984, he competed across Europe and South America, balancing playing duties with coaching. His coaching résumé includes both men’s and women’s basketball teams in Sweden. He notably guided a Swedish women’s squad to the national semifinals.
After retiring as a player, he returned to the U.S. and began coaching at Morris College, followed by a return to Benedict College, where he held multiple roles: head basketball coach, track and field coach, and athletic director.
| Year | Country | Role | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–1980s | Sweden | Player & Coach | 25 PPG / 20 RPG; national cup winner |
| 1980–1984 | South America | Player | Continued pro career |
| Post-1984 | U.S. | College Coach/Admin | Morris, then Benedict College |
| 1985–1995 | U.S. | Coach & Athletic Director | Built lasting athletic programs |
Community Engagement and Youth Advocacy
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Wilson expanded his focus toward youth development. As Vice President of Program Development at a leading youth nonprofit, he helped secure over $700,000 in contracts that directly supported underserved youth across the Southeast.
He later founded and currently leads the RC Wilson Group, a nonprofit focused on community uplift through athletics, education, and mentorship.
Wilson also volunteers as a girls’ AAU basketball coach, mentors high school students, and stays active in the Columbia-area school system and his local church.
| Year | Role/Position | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2000s | VP, Youth Program Development | $700,000+ in secured youth contracts |
| 2010s–Now | CEO, RC Wilson Group | Community outreach and mentoring |
| 2010s–Now | Volunteer, Schools & AAU | Girls’ basketball coach |
Family and Personal Life
Eva Rakes Wilson – Wife
Wilson’s wife, Eva Rakes Wilson, is an accomplished business graduate of South Carolina State University. A savvy entrepreneur, she has founded multiple ventures including a custom handbag brand, a stenography business, and a candle and lifestyle company.
She is also the executive lead of their daughter’s philanthropic foundation, supporting mental health and self-esteem education in schools. Eva is widely credited for offering strong guidance to her children, especially daughter A’ja.
| Name | Eva Rakes Wilson |
|---|---|
| Education | South Carolina State University (B.A.) |
| Career Focus | Entrepreneurship, Youth Advocacy |
| Notable Ventures | Handbag line, candle company, court reporting |
A’ja Wilson – Daughter
A’ja Riyadh Wilson, born August 8, 1996, is the youngest child of Roscoe and Eva. Raised in Columbia, she was trained under Roscoe’s intense athletic regimens from early childhood, which included weighted drills, plyometric routines, and mental toughness exercises.
A’ja went on to dominate high school and collegiate basketball. She was the No.1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, later becoming a two-time WNBA MVP, Olympic gold medalist, and a globally recognized figure in women’s sports.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Born in Columbia, SC |
| 2014–2018 | Starred at University of South Carolina |
| 2018 | Selected No.1 in WNBA Draft |
| 2021 | Won Olympic gold medal |
| 2020, 2022 | WNBA MVP |
Renaldo Wilson – Son
Renaldo Wilson, the elder sibling, also pursued a basketball career, playing at the college level and then internationally. After retiring from professional play, he embraced a creative path, becoming a DJ known as DJ Puff. Renaldo continues to support A’ja and actively participates in family and community events.
| Name | Renaldo Wilson |
|---|---|
| Career Path | College & Overseas Basketball |
| Post-career | DJ (DJ Puff) |
| Role in Family | A’ja’s supporter; active in celebrations |
Timeline Overview
| Year/Period | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1952 | Born in Columbia, SC |
| 1969–1973 | Star center at Benedict College |
| 1974–1984 | Professional basketball career in Europe and South America |
| Post-1984 | Coaching career at Morris and Benedict Colleges |
| 1996 | A’ja Wilson born; training with Roscoe begins |
| 2000s | Youth advocacy work; major nonprofit development role |
| 2016 | A’ja and Roscoe share Father’s Day spotlight |
| 2018–2024 | A’ja becomes WNBA MVP and Olympic champion |
| Present | CEO of RC Wilson Group; community mentoring and coaching |
Legacy and Lasting Influence
Collegiate Dominance and Pro Impact
Roscoe Wilson’s record-setting rebounding and scoring at Benedict College laid the foundation for his global basketball impact. His move into European professional leagues was groundbreaking for HBCU athletes at the time.
Mentorship and Parenting
A’ja’s leadership and power reflect Wilson’s impact. His parents taught integrity, humility, and hard work, which A’ja credits for her success.
Multi-Generational Excellence
Roscoe and Eva’s house encouraged greatness. A’ja excelled athletically, whereas Renaldo pursued creative and international prospects. Eva’s enterprise broadened the family’s impact.
Community Dedication
Beyond his immediate family, Wilson has touched thousands of lives through programs for at-risk youth, mentoring, and athletics-based education models.
FAQ
Who is Roscoe C. Wilson Jr.?
He is a Columbia, South Carolina native, former college basketball standout, international professional athlete, coach, and youth advocate.
What college did Roscoe Wilson play for?
His 1969–1973 Benedict College career included many All-American honours.
Did Roscoe Wilson play professionally?
Yes, he played professionally in Europe and South America from 1974 to 1984.
What is Roscoe Wilson’s role today?
A mentorship and youth program nonprofit employs him as CEO.
Who is Roscoe Wilson’s wife?
Eva Rakes Wilson, an entrepreneur and businesswoman from South Carolina.
Is Roscoe Wilson A’ja Wilson’s father?
Yes, he is the father of WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist A’ja Wilson.
What sports did his son Renaldo play?
Renaldo Wilson played college and international basketball before DJing.
What is Roscoe’s greatest coaching accomplishment?
Sweden’s women’s basketball team reached the semifinals under his guidance.
What kind of mentoring does he do now?
Local school mentoring and AAU girls’ basketball coaching are his duties.
How did Roscoe influence A’ja Wilson?
He instilled a strong work ethic and trained her from childhood with advanced drills.
