Women’s basketball has never been bigger than it is right now. For that, we can thank stars who have become household names: Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Paige Bueckers, and A’ja Wilson. All of whom, I should mention, have their own signature shoes.

Last year, the WNBA delivered its most-watched regular season in 24 years, and it feels safe to assume they aren’t slowing down anytime soon. This year’s regular season starts in 10 days, and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces dropped her highly anticipated collab with Nike today to get us hyped up just in time.

The A’One ($110, nike.com), a performance basketball sneaker, is the first custom shoe she’s designed with the brand, but (spoiler) we hope it’s not her last.

Nike

A'One "Pink A'ura"

$110

Nike

Wilson has earned two WNBA rings, two Olympic gold medals, an NCAA title and three WNBA MVP awards, so I think she knows a thing or two about comfy activewear that enhances your game. As a retired college athlete and a big fan of Nike’s signature basketball shoes—I wore the Kobe A.D. (2016), Kobe A.D. (2018), KD Trey 5 VIII, and LeBron Witness 6’s throughout my college career—I had to get my hands on the A’Ones to see what it’s like to step into her shoes (literally). Many recreational volleyball and pickup basketball games later, I can confidently say I get what all the buzz is about.

Original photo by SELF associate social media editor Katie Gunderman

Original photo by SELF associate social media editor Katie Gunderman

The design

The A’One is designed to deliver cushioning, traction, fit, and support— all of which are vital on the court. The shoe’s midsole has Cushlon ST2 foam, which gives athletes a firm base for high-impact movements like running, jumping, and pivoting, plus cushioned landings on the way down. Even the outsole is meant to grip the floor for more precise lateral movements.

My favorite part: The shoe launches in the Pink A’ura colorway, a bold, fiery choice that encapsulates Wilson’s Leo energy (and makes me feel like I’m That Girl on the court). Other personal touches include pearlescent details that pay tribute to Wilson’s grandmother, Celtic symbols as a nod to her parents, and her favorite post game quote on the heel: “Weakness, weakness. We don’t have time for that.”

Wilson’s ultimate goal? “From the beginning, we designed the shoe to both accentuate my game and to provide young hoopers a tool to help them push their limits,” she tells Nike. She wants women to feel empowered and confident wearing them on and off the court—something I can absolutely get behind.

Fit and feel

I tested these in my normal shoe size—a women’s 10—and was happy to find that they fit true to size. When I first laced them up for my volleyball game (I play in a rec league here in NYC), the shoes fit comfortably snug and my feet felt secure. It’s exactly what I’m looking for when I’m about to spend two hours jumping, running, blocking, and shuffling from side to side.

It’s pretty common for basketball shoes to take longer to break in because they’re made of stiffer materials that are designed to give you structure and support. Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting them to feel great right out the gate.

As I started warming up, I could feel the Cushlon ST2 foam in the midsole; I knew it was enough padding to keep me comfortable through all the jumping I was about to do. By mid-game, I was pleasantly surprised that they didn’t cause any major discomfort—zero pinching or rubbing. The A’Ones were stiff in the toe box, and I noticed some pressure in the balls of my feet and on my toes while playing. But this is the type of discomfort I’ve come to expect from a new pair of basketball shoes.

After a few more wears to volleyball and a casual pickup basketball game with friends, the A’Ones felt broken in and molded to my feet. They give me a firm base to launch off of and just the right amount of padding when coming down from a jump. The traction also keeps me grounded and gives me control on the court.

Bonus: The A’Ones are easily the most complimented shoe I’ve worn, and who doesn’t like a confidence boost before they compete? They not only check all the boxes for functionality, but their hot pink hue and sleek style give my outfit personality that makes me feel great and (I think) perform better.

Bottom line

As a high school and college athlete, I always resorted to wearing men’s signature shoes during my seasons because so few women’s ones existed. But I was always drawn to signature sneakers because they made me feel connected to the player—someone to look up to and aspire towards. Not to mention, they always came in sick colorways.

In an effort to find the shoes that could give me that extra edge on the court, I spent hours browsing the men’s picks and sending links back and forth with my teammates Now, even as a retired athlete, getting to wear the A’Ones heals something in my 16-year-old self who didn’t have the option to shop for these hot pink kicks.

These will absolutely give you an edge and come at a relatively low price point ($110), considering their durability and the big name they have behind them. They’ll offer the protection and comfort you need and be your confidence booster. And supporting female athletes at the same time? It’s a no brainer.

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