Of Course She Has a Shoe: A’ja Wilson Debuts Her Nike Signature A’One
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A’ja got her shoe. On Monday, the Las Vegas Aces center unveiled her signature Nike A’One in Columbia, South Carolina, the capital city where she both grew up and played her college career. The moment came as the coda to a touching weekend that also saw Wilson return to the University of South Carolina to see her number 22 jersey retired.
Fans of the three-time MVP have been eagerly awaiting the shoe—it was so anticipated that when she announced it was in development in May 2024, she wore a sweatshirt that read, “Of Course I Have A Shoe Dot Com,” a URL that redirected to the announcement on Nike’s website. But they are going to have to wait just a bit longer—the shoe will officially be released this May.
“I felt like, for once in my life, I didn’t have to just pinpoint one thing. I could literally have it all,” Wilson, a self-described fashion girl, told me during our sit-down backstage at the A’One unveiling. “I said, ‘I want it all, because this is my shoe, and this is my first one, so it has to be the best one.’ So designing it really was just tons of fun.” She went for ultra hot pink with pearlescent detailing.
The design is filled with references to her parents and her personal style. The Celtic symbols for mother and father, which Wilson has as tattoos, appear on the tongue of the shoes. A favorite quote from her grandmother (“As a matter of fact, the best is yet to come”) can be seen on the outsole, while one of Wilson’s own mantras (“Weakness, weakness. We don’t have time for that”) is on the heel. An A’One clothing line will feature tights, shorts, a hoodie, and pieces for kids. Her bottom line? “You got to keep it cute, always,” she told Issa Rae, who sat down with Wilson on stage at the event to talk about her career and the process of creating the shoe.
Revealing the A’One in Columbia, the day after her jersey retirement, was particularly special to Wilson, who’s her city’s hometown hero. (A statue of her has stood outside the USC arena since 2021.) “Being here makes it really hit home for me, because I’ve been surrounded by people who watched me grow up,” she says. “To see them finally get to see the shoe and to make it happen all here, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
On Sunday—or 2/2, the date perfectly matching her number—Wilson stood with her family and legendary USC Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley (who got her own Nike signature shoe in 1998) as her number 22 jersey was lifted in the rafters, before the Gamecocks played the Auburn University Tigers. During the ceremony, Wilson also gave a shout out to Miami Heat player Bam Adebayo, confirming their relationship for the first time.
Wilson spoke to ELLE.com on Monday about honoring her parents with her shoe, being a best-selling author, and her hard launch.
Was it important to have both these events come together in Columbia on 2/2?
I was given a list of dates to choose from; I really didn’t even notice the actual date. They were just telling me weekends would be better, and I’m like, “OK, we’ll do it February 2. It’s a noon game, let’s just do that.” When the graphics started coming out, I was like, “Oh, this is special.”
What was designing the A’One like? You brought a lot of yourself to it.
[Nike designer] Ben Nethongkome did an awesome job of putting my words into something tangible in a shoe through the Easter eggs, through the colors, through the meaning of the pearls and the different layers.
My favorite Easter egg would have to be the inside of the tongue, [which has] my two tattoos, which represent my mom and my dad. Their guidance is something that has made me who I am today. To have them be a part of this is huge. I wanted to make sure that we—as in myself and Nike—thought outside the box and did things that we didn’t really see in other shoes. And I feel like we executed that there.
Have you played in them yet?
I have a pair that I play in. It’s not as cute as this—it’s all black. But no, not this specific pair. But now I can, and I am so excited.
People have been waiting for the signature shoe. The fans are really excited. What was the wait like for you, and what does having a shoe mean to you?
For me, seeing fans be so excited for my shoe and to really want it was really special, because it’s always good to be wanted. It’s always good that people want more from you, because I try to [give] that in every shape, way, and form as a professional athlete. It really warmed my heart to see that people cared enough to really want it, and I wanted to make sure that I could give them the best shoe.
It’s literally a representation of myself that I can [use to] connect with so many different people through sport. Through a game that I didn’t really want to play at first. I’ve thrived, I’ve loved this space, and I grew in this space.
Can you tell me about the suit you wore to the retirement ceremony?
I knew, for a moment like this, the statement piece had to be the suit. Mugler was the one that we went with. My stylist did an awesome job. I feel like he already had in mind a vision for the moment, and I was like, “I trust you in this.” When I saw the suit, I said, “That is the best, that’s perfect.” It is just enough sass, just enough cute little heel. Yes, the jersey’s cute, but the suit had to be the one.
The interest in women’s basketball has increased significantly since you entered the WNBA. Why do you think that’s happened, and how has it changed things?
You’re starting to see us more. You’re starting to see us more in a lot of different spaces other than the basketball court. That’s what takes us to the next level. A lot of people may not be going overseas now. They’re doing different leagues. I was grateful to write a book. I connected to the readers, and that’s a whole different audience. Then I’m like, “Hey, if you guys love the book, let’s go to an Aces game.” It’s bridging a lot of different people together. Now people are starting to see us more, and they can identify us in stores or in commercials or on radio. It’s continued to grow our brand, so I’m happy. It was well overdue. I’m glad that [the league is] finally here.
In your jersey retirement speech you thanked your “favorite Olympian,” Bam Adebayo. Why did this feel like the right time to come out and talk about your relationship?
The beautiful thing about our relationship, and our bond, is that we’re very aware of things. We know how to navigate through a lot of different things and never shy from moments, but also make sure that we uplift [each other]. I would’ve been doing a disservice if I did not mention my favorite Olympian. Because of that favorite Olympian, you see the best of me. Because of the care and the support that not a lot of people see all the time. If I did not recognize my special Olympian, he wouldn’t be able to get his flowers. So in that sense, I think it was just a perfect time. It was just a moment that I would love to share because people should know that I’m not alone. I have an amazing support system behind me.
Is it nice to be with another basketball player, who must really understand what you go through every day?
Beyoncé says, “It’s very seldom that you’re blessed to find your equal.” It’s hard to find people that can really truly understand you on deeper levels. I wouldn’t say it’s easy, but I love it. I love the fact that it’s not easy, because it allows us to really be our true selves and support one another.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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