Quick Facts
- A'ja Wilson's debut signature sneaker, the Nike A'One launches in May 2025 for $110
- Inspiration for the design comes from pearls, nodding to the necklace Wilson's grandma gifted her as a child
- Tech within the A'One includes the full-length Cushlon ST2 foam that is supported by an injected phylon midsole carrier and TPU frame bezel
- Alongside her performance basketball shoe, Wilson will launch an apparel collection and a Nike Calm Slide
- An early release will take place on March 16 (Columbia, SC), March 22 (Vegas), and April 3 (Tampa).
With more women receiving signature sneakers in the WNBA, it was only time until one of the greatest to ever play in the league, A’ja Wilson, got her sneaker. The reigning WNBA MVP and two-time champion worked with Nike designer Ben Nethongkome to build a silhouette to support her dynamic playstyle, the Nike A’One, which was previously announced by Nike back in May 2024. Nike has officially unveiled the sneaker, inviting Sole Retriever to a media briefing that broke down the design details, tech, and story behind the Nike A’One.
At the heart of A’One’s design is a pearl motif inspired by a necklace Wilson’s grandmother gifted her as a child. The shoe’s layered structure mimics how a pearl forms over time, representing the time she found her confidence in her adolescence. Her grandmother gifted her a pearl necklace, telling her, “These pearls are going to make you beautiful no matter what you look like, no matter how you’re growing into your height.
“When it came to pearls, I just instantly thought of confidence and being your true self,” Wilson shared during the sneaker’s unveiling. “So we kind of wanted to implement that, especially when it came to my shoes, so I can then share my pearls with the world. That story was really at the foundation of the A’One design.”
Other personal touches include Celtic symbols for ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ on the shoe, reinforcing Wilson’s deep-rooted belief that family is everything. “My tattoos are in the tongue of the shoe. I feel like that is really, really personal because it's literally the ink that is on my body. It's on the shoe. It's in the shoe. And it signifies just my guidance of my parents." On the outsole, one of Wilson’s most inspiring messages is inscribed: “As a matter of fact, the best is yet to come,” a quote from her grandmother that she also included in her book. Another of Wilson’s mantras appears on the heel: “Weakness? Weakness? We don’t have time for that!!!”
While Wilson’s signature sneaker is full of personal details about A’ja, she worked with Nike for over two years to ensure that every detail met her performance needs. Her goal? A sleek, fast-looking sneaker that still provides elite cushioning and stability.
“I wanted something that looked fast but also very comfortable,” Wilson explained. “I feel like sometimes when you say snug, you're like, ‘Oh goodness, it's too tight and I can't move in it.’ But with this shoe, it’s really light and it’s comfortable.”
Images via Nike
Ben Nethongkome, the lead designer of the Nike A’One and the man behind many of Nike Basketball’s signature sneakers for nearly a decade, shared just how intensely focused on the development of the A’One A’ja was. After every design meeting, the team would collect all the information and put it in a notebook for Wilson to take with her so she could revert to these notes as a reference.
Ben explains, “As a Nike team here, we decided that maybe we need up the cushioning because she asked for that. So we raised the height of the foam a little bit to get after a more cushioned platform. The next time we met with her, she was like, wait a minute, according to my notes here, it looks way different than it was before. And she had the receipts.”
He continued, “And we're like, oh, hey, so we made a modification to address the need that you asked for, which was comfort. She was like, no, no, no, no, no, no. We need something that looks fast and match my energy on court, match my game. So the team went back to the drawing board and she was right. We need to slim the shoe and make sure that we deliver on the speed of the shoe, and also it looks beautiful on court. So we met at the middle of there.
Nike incorporated cutting-edge technology to ensure Wilson’s sneaker delivers on every front. The Cushlon ST2 foam midsole offers a balance of explosive responsiveness and smooth landings, allowing Wilson to stay aggressive in the paint without sacrificing comfort. To enhance movement and precision, the outsole traction pattern—inspired by her hidden Instagram handle, Mother of Pearl—features a design that mimics the radiating lines of a clamshell, giving players a superior grip for precision cuts, lateral movement, and quick pivots.
The upper construction prioritizes breathability and support, utilizing a lightweight mesh to keep the foot cool. At the same time, an internal arch band ensures a locked-in fit, reinforcing stability without restricting movement.
The Nike A’One in the Pink A’ura colorway, Wilson Nike Calm Slide, and the accompanying signature apparel collection will be available in May 2025 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers online and in-store. Available in women’s and GS sizing, the retail price of the A’One is $110 for women.
An early "pre-heat" release will take place on three separate dates, March 16 in Columbia, South Carolina at Foot Locker, March 22 in Las Vegas at Dick's Sporting Goods, and finally on April 3 in Tampa, Florida at a local Nike store. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Nike
Images via Nike
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
