Muskogee Native Aaliyah Wilson Honored By City

It's been a special year for Muskogee's Aaliyah Wilson.  

First, she was drafted 11th overall by the Seattle Storm back in April.  Now, Wilson was honored Saturday by the city she called home.  

Wilson dream to play professional basketball has now become a reality.

After Seattle traded her to Indiana, Wilson’s first season with the Fever has already showed her how much she needs to work to play at the sport’s highest level.

"I'm basically a freshman again amongst those grown women and the company,” Wilson said. “I'm in it. Feels really good and it's been a process every game and every practice. I'm learning something new and meeting someone different, so I'm taking it all in and I'm definitely loving it.”

Entering the WNBA hasn’t caused Wilson to forget her roots. She credits the city of Muskogee for her making it to the highest level of professional basketball.

"I grew up in this park playing basketball with my brothers and sisters,” Wilson said. “Coming out here with my dad. Riding my bike up and down the street, so just be able to be here, it's definitely a warming situation.”

Muskogee mayor Marlon Coleman declared July 17 as Aaliyah Wilson Day and gave her a key to the city.  

Coleman and the city also have plans for a future downtown park called “Champions Park” to honor Wilson and future star athletes who called Muskogee home.

"It's the first step of building that culture in the community and bringing everybody together and just keeping that hope alive and keep that next person pushing," Wilson said.