WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Involved in South Carolina News on Friday

USC and Nike Make A’Ja Wilson Announcement

The University of South Carolina officially announced on Friday a groundbreaking partnership with Nike, which will outfit all 21 athletic programs beginning in 2025, with official merchandise set to launch in July 2026.

“We are thrilled to announce the future partnership with Nike, a brand that is built on inspiring athletes to reach for excellence with the latest and most innovative equipment and attire while championing the values of athletic participation, beginning in July 2026,” USC Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati said.

As part of the deal, the Gamecocks will receive Nike-branded Wilson signature sneakers, the A’Two, including exclusive USC colorways designed for the women’s basketball team to wear during games (h/t Lulu Kesin).

Nike will also explore additional Wilson-branded travel and team gear for the program during the term of the partnership.

Wilson’s legacy with South Carolina includes leading the Gamecocks to their first national championship in 2017. She also won the Naismith Player of the Year award in 2018, and remains the school’s all-time leading scorer. Her No. 22 jersey is retired, and a statue honoring her impact stands outside Colonial Life Arena.

A Possible A’Ja Wilson, Dawn Staley Collaboration on the Way

The blockbuster deal also ties together the legacies of Wilson and her former coach, Dawn Staley. In 1999, Staley became one of the first WNBA players to debut her own Nike model, the Zoom S5. However, her ability to collaborate with Nike in recent years was limited by South Carolina’s long-standing contract with Under Armour, which restricted her from fully engaging with the brand. The new Nike deal removes those constraints and opens the door for Staley to reconnect with the company that helped shape her early career.

With Wilson now carrying her own Nike signature line, the partnership has fueled speculation about a possible “Women’s Signature Pack” featuring both Wilson’s A’One and a re-release of Staley’s Zoom S5. While no news about a collaboration has been confirmed yet, it will be interesting to see if this transpires in the near future.