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The A’One is item number one in this week’s women’s basketball news:
Make way for the A’One
The most hotly-anticipated shoe in women’s basketball history is almost here.
This week, A’ja Wilson and Nike teased the inaugural Pink A’ura colorway of her A’One signature shoe, which will drop in May 2025.
The shoe, however, is more than a shoe. It is story, with design details that serve to narrate who Wilson is as a person and player. Other exacting elements also honor those that have helped facilitate her rise into one of the greatest players in the game.
Andscape’s Ari Chambers posted a thread on social media highlighting the meanings behind all the details, including:
The Pink A’ura colorway “symbolizes her ability to lead with confidence, loyalty and passion.”
The pearl motifs and finishes symbolize the pearl necklace given to her by her grandmother, which was “a wearable symbol of strength.”
The Celtic symbols, on the inside of the tongue, honor her mom and dad, as does the quotation on the heel: “Weakness, weakness. We don’t have time for that.”
BREAKING THREAD: OF COURSE SHE HAS A SHOE! Nike A’One is here. 2x WNBA Champ, 2x Olympic Gold medalist, NCAA Champ & 3x WNBA MVP…now her own signature! “We worked for >2 yrs to create the Nike A’One to help me redefine the limits of greatness…worth the wait”-@_ajawilson22 [1/7] pic.twitter.com/rSHK0SzfkQ
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) February 4, 2025
The shoe also is, literally, as signature shoe, as it features her signature. As she explained to Andscape’s Aaron Dodson, “It was huge for me to have my signature on the shoe. I wanted everyone to know the branding. Like, ‘No, this is A’ja’s shoe.’ So, when you look at the shoe and take pictures of it, you’re always gonna see that A’ja and know the hard work behind it.”
Yet, Wilson also emphasized how she envisions her shoe, its meanings and its messages extending beyond her, saying, “I personally love my shoe, but to see young people in it? And young Black girls? I want to tell them to dream as big as they can.”
A signature apparel collection also is on the way, which will include a one-leg sleeve, which now is known as the A’Symmetric tight, along with more gear.
Gray (maybe), Thornton to participate in NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Allisha Gray and Kayla Thornton will be the WNBA’s representatives in the 2025 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 14.
We know Gray, a two-time All-Star with the Atlanta Dream, loves All-Star festivities, as she won the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge—as well as a couple of checks—at the WNBA’s 2024 All-Star Weekend. Thornton, now a Golden State Valkyrie after winning the 2024 WNBA title with the New York Liberty, will introduce the Bay to her style of play. Don’t be surprised when KT levels an unsuspecting NFL player, YouTuber or country singer on the opposite team.
However, might Gray have to cancel on the NBA? The Semi-Finals and Finals of Unrivaled’s 1-on-1 Tournament also are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14. And as mentioned, Gray takes it to another level when green is on the line.
So, unsurprisingly, she has made it clear that she is more than comfortable dipping out on the NBA and claiming that $200,000.
WNBA stars are everywhere
Angel Reese keeps going up. On Tuesday, she was revealed as member of the 2025 Met Gala Host Committee. Remember, Reese stunned at the 2024 Met Gala, which coincided with her 22nd birthday.
Reese also in New Orleans for the Super Bowl, having served as a coach for the NFL’s pre-Super Bowl Flag Football game alongside her fellow LSU Tiger Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders, among making other appearances. Another 2024 WNBA rookie also in in NOLA, with Caitlin Clark showing off her spiral at a Gatorade event.
