NIKE OFFICIALLY UNVEILSA'JA WILSON'S A'ONE SIGNATURE SHOEBUT THE BEST IS YET TO COME

When it comes to the growth of women’s basketball, Nike is putting their money where their mouth is. Their unwavering commitment to the WNBA has them at the front lines of the ongoing battle for equal opportunity, and through 2037, they’ve made it a point to have the Swoosh as the league’s exclusive on-court uniform and apparel provider.
 
Where the brand can really change the landscape is through their product, doing so putting women at the forefront of the competitive signature shoe business. A roster that includes Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, and A’ja Wilson is giving the men a run for their money, and the newly unveiled A’One is sending stronger ripples that can force waters into once uncharted territories.
 
Typically, the Hall-of-Fame career comes after the first signature shoe, but that’s only a testament to just how insanely special A’ja is. At her current trajectory, the Aces superstar could go down as the GOAT. If she stopped right now, she’s already a Top 10 OAT. But greatest-of chatter aside, A’ja is excited, emotional, and giddy to start her journey as a Nike signature athlete.
 
Today, Nike officially unveils the first A’ja Wilson shoes, the Nike A’One. Debuting in the “Pink Aura” colorway, the newest Nike Basketball women’s signature shoe is confirmed to launch on SNKRS and select retailers in May; MSRP is established at $110 for Adult Unisex sizes and $90 for Grade School.
 

The overhanging motif of the design is that of a pearl, nodding to an heirloom necklace gifted to A’ja by her grandmother. The design of the upper features a gradation of protective layers echoing outwards from the precious gem represented by the pearlized Swoosh. Another nod to the pearl, and perhaps by coincidence, is that A’ja private Instagram burner account features the word pearl (we tried to find the account, but to no avail).
 
More hidden elements include a special quote on the outsole that reads “As a matter of fact, the best is yet to come,”, a message from her grandmother taken from A’ja published book Dear Black Girls. Behind the tongue is A’ja special tattoo; it’s placed there specifically so she can see it every time she laces up her shoe.
 
On the tech side, the A’One features a Cushlon ST2 foam encased by an injected phylon midsole carrier featuring an oblong-shaped bezel frame; this mimics the hard shell of a clam protecting the pearl inside.
 
Read on below for a quick one-on-one interview with A’ja Wilson and Nike Senior Designer Ben Nethongkome and a closer look at the A’One.

Representation of signature shoes is pretty significant in today’s basketball landscape. Are there any WNBA or NBA athletes that you’d like to see wearing a shoe? Will Josh Hart get a pair?
 
A’ja Wilson: (Laughs) Honestly, yeah! Josh Hart would have to be one. And if i’m going to think big, I would love to see LeBron in my shoe just because of the relationship that we have and the mutual respect we have for one another.
 
When it comes to the W side, I feel like across the board and who we are as a league, I would love for everyone to rock it! Honestly, like I said before, the mere fact that people are coming to me and asking “when’s your shoe gonna drop!” and “can I get my hands on the shoes,” it just speaks so many volumes in itself. I’m grateful for anyone who wants to rock the A’One.

Considering this is your first shoe, what are some parts of the design process or the wear-test process that surprised you?
 
A’ja Wilson: I would say the thing that surprised me the most, is just how much my voice really matters. I’m the type of person where I don’t want to just fall in line, but at the same time if I don’t know much about something, I gravitate more to collaboration and asking “what do you guys think?” But it blew me away when they were like “no, you’re in control of this, we’re banking on you make the right decision.”
 
I don’t think from the outside looking in, not many people may realize just how much hard work and the thought process goes into all the details that we want to get across. I’m appreciative to have a team that literally put the ball in my court and told me “we need you to take your shoe to the promised land.” But really, I was just surprised at how much the athlete’s voice really matters.”