South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley Makes Special Request to A’ja Wilson as WNBA Star Launches New Colorway of Nike A’One

A’ja Wilson is no stranger to winning. The Las Vegas Aces center is a two-time WNBA champion, WNBA Finals MVP, three-time WNBA MVP, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Over the years, Wilson has become a force and is widely regarded as the best player in the WNBA. And now, she has a signature shoe to her name: the Nike A’One, which will be available in retail stores in May 2025. Ahead of the launch, South Carolina head coach Dawn Stanely had a special request for Wilson, who regards her as her “second mom.”

Dawn Staley’s Special Request for A’ja Wilson

“If you think you’ve seen my best, think again,” said Wilson after announcing her signature Nike A’One. The WNBA star added that the shoe was made to “redefine the limits of greatness,” and while Staley is nearing the two-decade anniversary of her retirement, she wants a piece of greatness as well.

Staley was reacting to the latest picture of Wilson’s Nike A’One in pink aura and asked the basketball player when she was receiving her pair of spikes.

“Uuuuuuh @_ajawilson22 are these A’Ones in route to the crib? Just checking….thank you in advance!” Staley wrote.

Wilson competed under Staley at South Carolina from 2014-18, becoming the program’s greatest of all time players. She led the Gamecocks to their first national title in 2017, its first Women’s Final Four in 2015, four SEC tournaments, and three SEC regular-season titles. South Carolina built her a statue in 2021 and also retired Wilson’s jersey last month.

Wilson’s No. 22 Jersey Raised to Rafters

Wilson was emotional when she saw her South Carolina jersey raised to the rafters at Colonial Life Arena in early February. She was the first Gamecocks player to receive the honor and credited the program for leading her to the greatness she continues to achieve.

“South Carolina shaped me, not just as an athlete but as a person. As I look in the rafters and see my jersey, I am reminded how important it is to chase your dreams without fear. It’s a privilege to be a Gamecock, to be a part of this community,” Wilson said. “Thank you all for believing in me and for making this moment possible.”

Over her four years at South Carolina, Wilson racked up 2,389 points, 363 blocks, and 597 free throws, all three of which are program records for the Gamecocks. It was only fitting that Staley said she meant “legendary” to the program.

“What she means to our program is legendary,” Staley said. “You think of legendary as what they do on the court, but the magic of A’ja is all the other stuff. It’s OK to come to a local college, university, and take on the pressures. It’s a pressure thing because you are doing it in front of all of the people that know you. You only want to do well in front of them.”