WNBA's A'ja Wilson to Get Nike Signature Shoe: 'A'ONE' to Be Released in 2025
May 11, 2024
Las Vegas Aces superstar A'ja Wilson will become the fourth active WNBA player to have a signature shoe.
Wilson and Nike announced on Saturday the Nike A'One will be released in 2025.
dawnstaley @dawnstaley<a href="https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_ajawilson22</a> any more questions?!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A</a>'ONE <a href="https://twitter.com/nikebasketball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nikebasketball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nike</a> <a href="https://t.co/pxr3Wh6rbA">pic.twitter.com/pxr3Wh6rbA</a>
In addition to her own shoe, ESPN's Alexa Philippou noted Wilson has been added to Nike's list of signature athletes. The roster of signature athletes signed to the brand includes Serena Williams, Megan Rapinoe and Naomi Osaka.
Wilson joins New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu and Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark as WNBA players who will have their own signature shoe from Nike. Breanna Stewart has had her own signature shoe with Puma since 2022.
There have been teases of Wilson as a Nike signature athlete for some time. LeBron James wrote on Instagram her "signature shoe coming" after the Aces won their second straight WNBA title in October.
"The trust that Nike and I have developed with each other, and the hard conversations that we've had, has personally been my favorite part of the process," Wilson told Andscape's Aaron Dodson about getting her own shoe. "Because those are the things people don't necessarily see. But it happens — it's all in the words."
Wilson is the 14th player in the WNBA's 28-year history to receive a signature shoe. Five of the eight retired players (Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Cynthia Cooper-Dyke) are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Two others (Nikki McCray-Penson, Chamique Holdsclaw) are in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
The only retired player not in either Hall of Fame is Candace Parker because just announced her retirement after 16 seasons on April 28.
Wilson has many more years of playing before she has to even think about going into the Hall of Fame, but she already has a resume that warrants inclusion. The 27-year-old is a five-time All-Star, four-time All-WNBA team selection, two-time WNBA champion, MVP and Defensive Player of the Year winner.
Since being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, Wilson has led the Aces to five playoff appearances and the top seed in the Western Conference in each of the past four seasons. They set a WNBA record with 34 regular-season wins in 2023.
When you add up all of the accolades, Wilson has more than earned her spot as a signature athlete and her own shoe from Nike.