Tag: A’ja Wilson

Sparks rookie Cameron Brink after ACL injury: ‘I’m not defined by basketball’

Brink was averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.7 assists per game this season.

Los Angeles Sparks rookie Cameron Brink shared on social media she suffered an ACL injury and will be out for the rest of the WNBA season, including the 2024 Olympics 3×3 team she was selected for earlier this year.

“You never think it will happen to you,” Brink said on Instagram. “And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom but I know it will only make me stronger. I will not be derailed and I will continue to love this life- I’m not defined by basketball, but it is something that I love deeply and I will work everyday to get back to it. It’s not goodbye basketball it’s just a see you later. I’m always so thankful for your thoughts and prayers.”

Brink was having a dominant rookie campaign, tied for second in the WNBA for blocks with Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. The 6-foot-4 forward out of Stanford was selected second overall in the 2024 WNBA draft. She was averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.7 assists per game this season.

Injuries like this reinforce the fact that athletes are humans first. They have extraordinary ability on the court, but they also matter off the court. As Brink put it so well: “…I’m not defined by basketball…” She is more than an athlete, she is a human being and worth so much more than her stats on the court.

The road to recovery from an injury like this can be arduous, but she has a strong support system around her and that will make the process much better for her.

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Aces’ A’ja Wilson makes WNBA history again this season

The two-time MVP leads the WNBA in scoring average this season at 27.9 points per game.

Last month, A’ja Wilson recorded her fifth consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound game with 29 points and 15 rebounds, breaking the WNBA record for the longest streak in history. Now, Wilson has done it again, becoming the first player in league history to record a game of at least 36 points, 12 rebounds and six steals.

The record was set in the Aces’ victory over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday, improving their record to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the Commissioner’s Cup with the 95-81 win. Wilson also leads the WNBA in scoring average at 27.9 points per game.

Other notable performances in the game were Las Vegas guards Kelsey Plum, who scored 20 points, and Jackie Young, who had 19 points. Wings superstar Arike Ogunbowale put away an impressive 31 points in the game, but the effort was not enough to overcome the Aces.

Las Vegas returns home on Friday for a game against the Seattle Storm.

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A’ja Wilson set WNBA records in Aces’ dominating win over Lynx

A’ja Wilson produced 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Aces to a dominating over the Lynx on Wednesday.

The Las Vegas Aces dominated the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday, winning 80-66. A’ja Wilson recorded her fifth consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound game with 29 points and 15 rebounds, breaking the WNBA record for the longest streak in history.

The previous record of four straight such performances was held twice by Sylvia Fowles and once by Tina Charles and Glory Johnson, respectively. This was Wilson’s 81st career double-double, which ranks fourth among active players.

Wilson not only played offensively, but her defensive performance was also notable, setting rebounding and blocking records. Wilson finished the game with 15 rebounds, which means she has 10 or more rebounds in five straight games, the longest active streak in the league. WNBA legend Candace Parker is the only player with more consecutive double-digit rebound performances, with 12. Additionally, Wilson has blocked at least one shot in 14 straight games, the longest active streak in the WNBA.

The Aces’ next game is on the road on May 31 against the Atlanta Dream.

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2-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson finally has a signature shoe deal

Until recently, only 12 players in the history of the WNBA had signature shoe deals.

Two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson has received a signature shoe deal. It has been a long time in the making, but the Nike shoe is set to debut in 2025. Wilson shared the news on social media.

The shoe will be called the “A’One” and have sizes for children, men and women.

“We’ve been working on this for a couple of years now, and I just wanted it to be perfect,” Wilson told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an exclusive interview. “I didn’t want this to be something that was just like a handout. I wanted for people to understand that this is coming from me. It took a lot of time, a lot of hard conversations with Nike and my team in order for us to get this product.”

Before Wilson’s announcement, Candace Parker was the only active Black WNBA player to have a signature shoe line, but she recently announced her retirement and is now the president of Adidas women’s basketball.

Until recently, only 12 players in the history of the WNBA had signature shoe deals. However, it was announced this year that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark would receive a shoe. That bumps the number to 14 as the WNBA enters its 28th season. That is .5 shoes per year up from .44 just one season ago.

The growth of women’s basketball at the professional and collegiate levels is undeniable. Expect to see more signature shoes in the WNBA. They are just getting started.

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Candace Parker could change the shoe game for women’s basketball forever

Parker is now stepping off the court and into the boardroom full time.

Candace Parker is a WNBA legend as her 16-year WNBA career shows. She is now stepping off the court and into the boardroom full time as she was recently announced as president of Adidas women’s basketball.

In this new role she will have the ability to change the women’s side of the game once again, but this time with executive authority over Adidas women’s basketball products lines. Parker has her own signature shoe line with Adidas and was the ninth player in WNBA history to have a signature shoe.

“Stepping into this new leadership role is a deeply personal next step in my journey with Adidas,” said Parker. “From high school to college to playing pro to now, this appointment by Adidas symbolizes a shared commitment to making impactful change and setting new benchmarks for the future of women’s sports. It’s not just about products; it’s about fostering a movement focused on innovation, representation and access.”

Parker will be tasked with building upon the brand’s storied women’s roster, creating a powerful platform aimed at influencing and elevating the future of women’s sports and evolving the Adidas women’s basketball business and catalyzing a new era of growth and credibility for the brand.

In fact, despite the WNBA having record-breaking performances and an overwhelming increase in viewership, there have only been 12 players with their own signature shoes bearing their names. It was recently announced Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark will be receiving a signature shoe deal, which will raise the number to 13, but superstar A’ja Wilson has yet to receive one.

With Parker in a role like this, we will likely begin to see a positive evolution in the way apparel and shoe brands view and appreciate women’s basketball players. The time is now to change the game, and Parker is the perfect person to do it.

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A’ja Wilson secures Gatorade sponsorship, is a signature shoe deal likely to follow?

It is reported to be a multiyear endorsement deal and Wilson will take place in her first campaign later this spring.

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson added another coveted sponsor to her roster of endorsement deals. This time, it is the sports-hydration company Gatorade. The announcement comes a few weeks after Wilson was named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 list.

It is reportedly a multiyear endorsement deal and will launch with her first campaign later this spring.

“We’re thrilled about the addition of A’ja Wilson to our elite athlete roster ahead of the 2024 WNBA season,” Jeff Kearney, Gatorade’s head of sports marketing, said. “A’ja has already had an outstanding career full of many accomplishments, and we’re excited to be fueling her as she furthers her impact within the sport and beyond.”

Despite the accolades, awards and accomplishments in college and the WNBA, Wilson still does not have a signature shoe deal. It was recently announced that Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is getting a signature shoe. But the two-time WNBA MVP, two-time champion and Olympic gold medalist — among many other titles — isn’t in the same boat.

Before it was announced that Clark would have a signature shoe deal, on average, there had been .44 shoe deals per WNBA season. That simply isn’t enough based on the demand. However, the situation could be changing in the athletic shoe arena. It was announced that former WNBA superstar Candace Parker, who recently retired, had been named the president of Adidas women’s basketball.

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A’ja Wilson has won all accolades in the W and still doesn’t have a signature shoe

Aces star A’ja Wilson was named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 list and received a touching tribute from Tom Brady.

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson was named to Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 list and received a touching tribute from minority owner and seven-time NFL champion Tom Brady.

“A’ja Wilson is not just an incredible athlete, she is also an inspiration to all who witness her talent and drive,” Brady wrote. “Her journey is a testament to the power of passion and fearlessness in achieving greatness.”

Wilson is making waves and setting records in the WNBA, just like she did in college. She is a back-to-back champion with the Aces, has three MVP awards, an NCAA title at South Carolina and an Olympic gold medal.

She recently penned a book entitled “Dear Black Girls,” which hit the New York Times Bestseller list. Yet, this dominating force, both on and off the court, does not yet have a signature shoe. The signature shoe deals in the W are few and far between, but if anyone deserves a shoe, it’s Wilson.

The WNBA is entering its 28th season, which means, on average, there have been .44 shoe deals per season. If another shoe deal isn’t done this season, that number will go even lower. While the number has been rapidly picking up with three new deals in the past few seasons, shoe deals are not keeping pace with the growth of the WNBA.

Brady said it best: “A’ja Wilson is not just a champion; she is a symbol of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Her story is a reminder that with passion and fearlessness, anyone can achieve greatness. I know she has so much more she wants to achieve … and I get to be in a front-row seat watching and admiring!”

Hopefully, Brady will be watching Wilson in her brand-new signature shoe very soon. The Aces’ first game of the season is on May 14 against the Phoenix Mercury.

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A’ja Wilson believes Angel Reese’s game will transition well to WNBA

A’ja Wilson believes Angel Reese’s game will ‘transfer pretty fair out’ to the WNBA.

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP and two-time champion, joined Showtime Basketball’s weekly podcast series “All the Smoke” with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. She discussed the WNBA, NIL and which college players she sees transitioning to the league from college.

Wilson was asked how she believes LSU forward Angel Reese’s game will transition to the WNBA and she highlighted Reese’s rebounding abilities as key.

“I think it’s going to transfer pretty fair out because I feel like she has a niche to her,” Wilson said. “I’ve seen her rebound so much that I feel like that’s going to be her key when she gets to the league. Now, if she keeps that up, I feel like that’s going to be huge, but I think that’s what’s going to be the separating factor for her.

“Obviously, she has got a couple of years to grow just to let it translate over and it’s gonna be tough and hard because our league is so tough. I can’t express that to so many people. We have some dogs at every position, and it’s hard coming in being a four and a five; it really is. I think when I see her play, I’m like, ‘All right, she got a little something to her and can then translate that over to the pros.'”

Reese won the 2023 NCAA championship with LSU after transferring from Maryland. She led the SEC in both scoring (23 points per game) and rebounding (15.4), becoming just the fourth player in conference history to lead the league in both categories.

Additionally, she set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles last season. She is averaging 19.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists in eight games this season.

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A’ja Wilson feels like South Carolina guard Raven Johnson will be a star

Aces center A’ja Wilson believes South Carolina guard Raven Johnson has bright future in basketball.

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson, a two-time WNBA MVP and two-time champion, joined Showtime Basketball’s weekly podcast series “All the Smoke” with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. She discussed the WNBA, NIL and which college players she sees transitioning to the league from college.

Wilson was asked which player in the women’s collegiate basketball landscape has a bright future and after thinking for a few seconds, she said South Carolina guard Raven Johnson.

“I’m going to be obviously biased with my Gamecocks, (so) I would say Raven (Johnson),” Wilson said. “I’m not just saying this because she’s South Carolina (but) you’re being taught by Dawn Staley at the point guard position. I feel like you don’t get a better situation than that and I think her being disrespected in the Final Four last year kind of woke her up in a sense that’s like, ‘Oh, bet. Like cool, this is what y’all are going to say?’ … I feel like she is going to be a star.”

Johnson is a sophomore at South Carolina, but has already played in the Final Four, was voted onto the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2023 and was the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 2021.

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The complete list of every WNBA player with a signature shoe deal

There are only 12 players that have had a signature shoe in WNBA history.

Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is dominating in the WNBA Finals, but even her unprecedented domination hasn’t garnered her a signature shoe deal. In fact, despite the record-breaking performances and overwhelming increase in viewership, there have only ever been 12 players with their own signature shoes bearing their names.

The WNBA is finishing up its 27th season, which means, on average, there have been .44 shoe deals per season. While the number has been rapidly picking up with three new deals in the past few seasons, shoe deals are not keeping pace with the growth of the WNBA.

The first shoe deal in WNBA history was the Nike Air Swoopes, named after legendary player Sheryl Swoopes. She was the first player to receive her own signature shoe, with the first model coming out in 1995.

The most recent player with a signature shoe? New York Liberty sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu, which launched in February 2023. Currently, there are three players in the WNBA Finals with a signature shoe deal, including New York’s Breanna Stewart and Ionescu and Aces forward-center Candace Parker.

See the complete list of every WNBA player with a signature shoe deal: