A'ja Wilson Talks Fashion, Basketball and the Inspiration Behind Her A'Two Sneaker
As she launches her second Nike line, the MVP digs into the details of her new shoe.
A’ja Wilson is one of the world’s biggest athletes. The three-time WNBA Champion and four-time MVP is the face of the league, drawing people in with her skills and keeping them engaged with her personality on and off the court. When she launched her first signature basketball sneaker with Nike last year, the A’One, they sold out almost instantly. Now worn across the sport, from intramural youth leagues to the NBA, almost everybody carries a bit of Wilson with them when they step on the hardwood.
Now ready for round two, the A’Two is Wilson’s latest passion project, developed in collaboration with the Swoosh. Scheduled to drop right before the 2026 WNBA season tips off, another sellout is expected for one of the most anticipated basketball releases of the year. Arriving alongside a matching sportswear line, season two is looking even better than the last, and this superstar is making sure her shoes are the ones everyone will want once the summer rolls around.
We talked to Wilson about the inspiration behind the A’Two, the design process and her hopes for the future of her signature line.
Keep scrolling to read the full conversation.
What was the biggest inspiration behind the A’Two compared to your first sneaker?
The biggest inspiration was just my journey, my season and everything leading up to it. We wanted it to be bigger, bolder, better than the first one, and I think that is what my journey was. It played right into our hands, how we wanted to narrate the A’Two, because I feel like the A’One was amazing. It touched on every bit of my heartstrings, so we wanted the A’Two to feel the same, but a little bit more, and we were able to do that.
Can you share any personal touches or stories behind the design elements we’ll see on the A’Two?
One of the biggest personal touches is inside the tongue of the shoe. There’s a copy of a tattoo that I have tatted on my forearm. It says, “You have to face setbacks in order to go forward.” I think that is just a gentle reminder to whoever buys the shoes that it’s life. Sometimes you have to go through it to get to it. I’m so happy that we were able to incorporate that, because it’s literally a piece of me inside the shoe. That’s just one of the stories. The rest, people are going to have to take a little deep dive and find out. We love Easter eggs over here.
What was it like working with Nike’s design team on your new signature shoe?
It was amazing. They are an amazing team, and I pray for them every single night, because I know that I am probably a lot when it comes to my shoes and how I want them to look. But they showed up every single day ready to work and make sure that we were putting out a product that wasn’t just something that I love, but everyone else can love, as well. It was so much fun, whether it was putting materials together, getting Easter eggs or just coming up with the colorways. They did an incredible job of bringing my vision to life.
The A’One sold out quickly and is already being worn in the WNBA as well as globally. How does it feel to see other players wearing your sneakers?
It feels amazing. It’s a moment that never gets old, because they don’t have to wear my shoe, but they choose to. That’s real love, and those are the real ones. I’m so honored that people want to wear it, especially the youth.
When I see young kids wearing them, it really melts my heart because those are the hard workers. Those are the ones that are going to put the shoe to the test, and they do that very well. But when you’re able to also see women that you compete against rocking the shoe, it’s a blessing, and it’s something that I don’t take lightly. The best is yet to come. We now have a second one for them to rock, and I’m excited for everyone to get their pair.
What do you want young athletes to feel when they put on the A’Two?
I want them to feel like themselves. I want them to feel like they are the stars that they are. I want them to know that they are the stars of their own journeys, and they’re able to shine bright through anything. I’m so happy that we can now put a product in front of them that can make them feel that way. A lot of people see me, and they’re like, “Oh, you’re the superstar,” but they’re stars, too. I hope that young kids see that and feel that, and they get buckets in the A’Two for sure.
A lot more WNBA players have gotten signature shoes in the past few years. How do you see your signature line influencing the growing culture of women’s basketball and sneaker design?
I feel like my signature line is just a stepping stone and a vehicle for young women and girls to really be in tune with themselves. I hope that when they see my shoe and they see my line, they feel seen and heard. I know sometimes it’s hard for us to do that in the real world, so we’re able to be ourselves through our clothing and what we wear, and a good, comfortable pair of shoes.
I hope that my line can bring that out of them on days when they may not feel their best. I hope that when they put on their A’Two collection with the shoes to match, they feel like the stars they truly are. I think that is how I want my brand and my collection to fall in line, but know that it’s different, it’s unique, it’s really supposed to be one of the ones that stands out. Hopefully, we can continue to do that.
How involved were you in choosing the colors and overall aesthetic for this edition?
I’m hands-on. I’m into it. I’m in the mix. Probably too much, but I’m in the mix when it comes to making sure that the colors and everything are exactly what I need them to be. I want it to be a shoe that you can recognize in the rafters. I want it to be a shoe you can recognize courtside.
I’m so appreciative that the team is able to bring things to the table that they know I would want, and then we can work together to bring them to life. I’m pretty hands-on because I look at these shoes as my children and things that I’m pouring my whole heart into. When you’re able to pour your whole heart into something and share it with the world, that’s what brings true happiness.
How do you see the A’Two crossing over into lifestyle or fashion beyond the court?
I see it up there. It’s a comfortable shoe that you can dress up or down, and my parents are the models of that. They wear it with anything all day, and they are my heartbeats. I definitely see it kind of tapping into something that you can wear with anything you want to be comfortable in. Even when it comes to my apparel line as well, it’s literally for everybody to feel themselves in. Hopefully, we can continue to push it in that direction.
You’re easily one of the most fashionable players in the league. Do you see yourself expanding the signature line into sportswear or lifestyle fashion?
Oh, for sure. I think that is where we are, where sports and fashion really start to collide. We get to showcase our true personalities through fashion, and I think that is a beautiful thing because it just opens up a whole different world for both sides. For me, I love that.
I love being versatile and comfortable, but at the same time, when I need to pop out, I can pop out. I think having that dual vibe that you can go and feel like your true self, no matter what you’re wearing, that’s kind of where we’re going with it. I’m excited to be a part of that curve and a part of this era of sport that is now crossing over into fashion.
The A’Two and signature clothing line will be available to purchase from May 2 on the Nike website.
