Tag: A’ja Wilson

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:

A’ja Wilson drops 40 points and showed why her ranking in NBA2K is on point

Wilson is just the eighth player in WNBA history to record at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game.

Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson dropped 40 points and 12 rebounds against the Washington Mystics on Friday in a 113-89 win. She is just the eighth player in WNBA history to record at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game.

Wilson scored the 40-piece without a single 3-pointer, which broke her own WNBA record for most points scored in a game without a triple. With Wilson’s 12 rebounds, she heads into second place in Aces history for career rebounds (1,536).

She is also the highest-ranked WNBA player in NBA 2K24 with a rating of 98. The next closest player is Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty with a 96 and the Liberty’s Jonquel Jones with a 94.

Wilson is averaging 21.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists this season. The Aces’ next game is against the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, followed by the Commissioner’s Cup championship game against the Liberty on Tuesday.

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WNBA expansion could come in 2025, but some players believe charter flights are more important

While many believe expansion is a long time coming, some players believe there are more important items on the to-do list.

The WNBA’s viewership is steadily rising and its media rights deal is up for renegotiation after the 2025 season. In light of this, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert shared updated information with the media on league expansion.

“Obviously, we’re working very hard on expansion,” Engelbert told reporters on Sunday. “This is really something I think we need to do, not just because of opening up potentially 12-24 roster spots, but also with a league that’s the longest-tenured women’s professional league in the country by double any other. We need more than 12 teams.”

As per an article by Front Office Sports, the 10 cities under consideration include the Bay Area, Nashville, Toronto, Austin, Denver, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Portland.

“We need to be in some big cities in this country where all of our data and information shows that there are some great markets for WNBA basketball,” Engelbert said. “We’re excited, capitalizing off NCAA popularity, and, hopefully, to talk more about that as we get further into the season this year.”

While many believe expansion is a long time coming, some players believe there are more important items on the to-do list that should be addressed first. At All-Star Weekend, Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum addressed the media about charter flights and expansion.

“If you were to poll the players right now,” Plum said, “and ask if they’d rather have expansion or charter, I think it’s a pretty clear consensus across the board.”

Las Vegas teammate A’ja Wilson echoed Plum’s sentiments: “You need to take care of what you have now before you can expand and grow. I think that comes from the owners. I think we should put owners on the book and say, ‘Hey, put your money where your mouth is and protect your players.'”

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Four former Notre Dame players named WNBA All-Stars

Which All-Star is your favorite?

[autotag]Muffet McGraw[/autotag] isn’t long removed from coach, so her legacy in form of WNBA players will continue for some time. Eventually, we hope to see the same effects from [autotag]Niele Ivey[/autotag]’s coaching. For now, Notre Dame fans should be pleased that four former Irish players have been named to the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game. No other university has more representation in this year’s event.

The number of Irish alumni in this year’s game became official with the announcement of the 12 reserves, On Saturday, they, along with the 10 selected starters, will be split up into teams captained by A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm. The teams then will face off in the game, which is being held in Chicago.

If you’re a Notre Dame women’s basketball enthusiast, you won’t be disappointed with this game. Here are the players for you to watch and reminisce about: