A’ja Wilson Pens Down 60-Word Response After Having Enough Hate Amid Nike Shoe Release

“Of course A’ja Wilson has her own shoe—what else would you expect from a three-time MVP?” The official description provided by Nike about the A’One itself answered why the brand placed their faith in the WNBA star. Since 1984, when Nike made a successful gamble by using Michael Jordan to promote their shoes, the brand has worked with several other basketball stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, etc.

Then, in May 2024, the brand picked A’ja Wilson to become the 13th player in WNBA history to have a signature sneaker under her name designed and released. Unfortunately, A’One’s highly anticipated release has now been overshadowed with some unwanted criticism about her friendship with Michael McManus. While some people would have chosen to just let the hate die out, Wilson isn’t just ‘some people’.

The WNBA star recently took to Threads. She wrote “Imma say this and then I’m out cause my lil yea yea said don’t comment on stupidity ( I can’t help it (laughing emoji) ) buttttt if I strongly disliked someone or something soooooo bad I wouldn’t spend a pinch of time engaging in it but that’s just me and I understand we are alllll different (emojis) Okie dokie I’m done lolol be blessed yall (Sparkling heart emoji)”. The ‘yea yea’ may be a reference to Bam Adebayo. Wilson has officially been in a relationship with the NBA player since February.

If this is the first time you are hearing the name ‘Michael McManus’, it is because the individual was thrust into the spotlight not so long ago. A social media user named Michael Ramsford posted a thread of tweets on X back in October 2024. The same highlighted McManus reportedly “abusing and harassing black women and everyone on here” by writing derogatory comments on X.  From “casually suggesting” that Stewie’s MVP boils down to racism to reportedly calling people C—- and b——” for supporting basketball, McManus hasn’t been creating a good name for himself. His comments came out during the Unrivaled League’s ongoing run too. He drew attention after mocking Angel Reese by suggesting she “needs to stay in the gym”.

Ramsford highlighted that McManus is a friend of A’ja Wilson’s by showing pictures and videos of the duo together. ‘Carolina News & Reporter’ journalist Jayden Simmons reported that McManus graduated from the University of South Carolina. Wilson also attended USC before being drafted 1st overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft. MaManus was also claimed to be a good friend of South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley. In light of this, several social media users turned on the 2x WNBA champion. Even after she posted the above-mentioned remarks on Threads, one user criticized Wilson for engaging in a “double standard”,  being “best friends” with someone who was reportedly once arrested for hitting a child, etc. Well, Wilson did not take that criticism lying down, either.

“Won’t hear a peep from me next season! Straight WORK (emojis) heard youuuuuu Mama Rose” the 28-year-old replied.

A’ja Wilson may have had enough of anyone criticizing her association with Michael McManus. Or, she simply did not want anything to overshadow her shoe launch.

A’ja Wilson left fans excited after selling A’One’s at Columbia Foot Locker

As part of an exclusive early launch of her Nike sneakers, A’ja Wilson recently traveled to her hometown and birthplace: Columbia, South Carolina. The shoes are set to be released nationwide in May. However, the local people got the chance to buy it beforehand at the city’s Footlocker. In fact, they got to buy the new release from A’ja Wilson herself!

As highlighted by Sole Retriever, the line at the A’One launch event at FootLocker was a pretty long one! It seemed to extend beyond the premises itself. Once the fans got inside, Wilson was behind the counter to greet and have a lively conversation with them. For a WNBA fan and a true sneakerhead, the memory of that meet would stay for years to come.

Wilson may want nothing more than to focus on her ‘Real One Tour’. However, some fans may still keep bringing up her association with Michael McManus. Whether she chooses to respond to them again in the future remains to be seen.