A’ja Wilson Blocks Ex-Teammates’ Request for Free Sneakers
WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson is known for her dominance on the court, but a recent off-court move has fans buzzing. The Las Vegas Aces forward hilariously shut down some of her former teammates’ requests for free sneakers—reminding everyone that while friendship is forever, free gear is not.
In a lighthearted social media exchange earlier this week, several of Wilson’s ex-college and WNBA teammates slid into her DMs or tagged her publicly, asking if they could get a pair of the newly released A’One sneakers—her first signature shoe with Nike. Wilson, never one to shy away from a playful moment, responded with a firm but funny “Nah,” posting screenshots of the requests along with memes and witty captions.
“Y’all had your chance when we were splitting Subway sandwiches after practice,” Wilson wrote in one Instagram story, referencing her college days at South Carolina. “Now you want the heat? Gotta go through the proper channels!”
While her responses were clearly in jest, fans loved the mix of humor and humility. Some even praised Wilson for setting boundaries, joking that she was protecting her shoe inventory the same way she protects the rim.
Her ex-teammates didn’t take it personally. Former Gamecock teammate Allisha Gray reposted Wilson’s response with a laughing emoji, writing, “I see how it is! Lemme know when the friends and family discount kicks in.”
Wilson’s A’One sneaker dropped last week and has already made waves, celebrated for its sleek design and representation of her South Carolina roots. With Wilson’s growing impact both on and off the court, her brand power is rising—and so is the demand for her gear.
As Wilson put it in another post: “Everybody wanna be courtside until it’s time to pay retail.”
Whether you’re a friend, fan, or former teammate, one thing’s clear: if you want a pair of A’Ones, you’d better bring your wallet.
