
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 18, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson shows her grill teeth as she walks the red carpet during the WNBA All Star weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Jul 18, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Las Vegas Aces player A’ja Wilson shows her grill teeth as she walks the red carpet during the WNBA All Star weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The launch of A’ja Wilson’s Nike A’One sneaker isn’t just a new product, in fact it’s a cultural moment. Hours after Nike officially announced her debut signature shoe, the Las Vegas Aces star injected more excitement with two unexpected announcements on social media.
Responding to a fan’s question about kid-sized versions of the pearl-inspired sneaker, A’ja Wilson confirmed: “Yessssss the kids got a colorway just for them too”. In the development of the shoe, Wilson put a priority on making it accessible for young athletes who want play the way she does.
The announcement didn’t end there. When asked about matching slides, A’ja Wilson teased: “there’s a slide to match but …gonna releasing that later”. This suggests that her signature collection will be rolled out in phases, and the May 2025 release of $110 A’One sneakers and apparel line will only be the beginning.
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there’s a slide to match but …gonna releasing that later ✨🤭
— A’ja Wilson (@_ajawilson22) February 4, 2025
This reinforces A’ja Wilson’s mission of creating a legacy to empower generations to come. As she told SLAM, “When you put this on, you are top tier”. Wilson’s Nike partnership is not only changing the game, but guaranteeing everyone has a seat at the court with youth centric design and strategic product drops.
And if you think this is just another athlete-brand collab, think again. The A’One is deeply personal to Wilson. The design for the sneaker is inspired by pearl, from a childhood story—her grandmother gave her a necklace when she was a child, and also a powerful message: “these pearls are going to make you beautiful no matter how you look.” Every detail of the shoe is woven with that sentiment of confidence and self acceptance.
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Where does A’ja Wilson’s shoe stand in WNBA signature shoe history?
The A’One at $110 is a solid addition to the WNBA signature shoe lineup, being affordable and premium. This makes it the 14th signature shoe in WNBA history following Sabrina 1 by Sabrina Ionescu and Deldon by Elena Delle Donne, which began with Air Swoopes in 1995 by Sheryl Swoopes.
But what sets the A’One apart is how personal it is to A’ja Wilson. It is uniquely hers with pearl details, her signature on the heel, and personal phrases on the outsole. And she isn’t stopping there—the collection also includes a matching apparel line with her signature asymmetrical tights, to match the style she has forged on the court.
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Of course, performance matters too. The A’One was designed to match Wilson’s fast, dynamic playing style and is all about comfort, stability and lightweight feel. Made for quick movements and sharp cuts, it is built to give the player the best possible performance. Like any other WNBA signature shoes, it’s tailored specifically for the athlete behind it.
All in all, the Nike A’One is a sneaker, but more importantly, it’s a game changer. A’ja Wilson is fusing personal story with top tier performance and doing so is pushing women’s basketball forward. And with more investment, visibility and excitement around the sport than ever before, her signature shoes are setting the future. If Wilson’s track record means anything, this is just the beginning. What do you think?
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Is A'ja Wilson setting a new standard for athlete-driven sneaker lines with her Nike A'One?
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Is A'ja Wilson setting a new standard for athlete-driven sneaker lines with her Nike A'One?
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