In just six seasons, A’ja Wilson has solidified herself as one of the WNBA’s best players. She’s a two-time WNBA MVP, WNBA champion, Defensive Player of the Year and a New York Times best-selling author. With the Aces looking to make history (again) this season by trying to win their third consecutive WNBA championship, Wilson is already envisioning what her celebration moment will be like. And it starts with Gatorade.
Remember the old black and white poster with MJ’s sweat highlighted in the colors of Gatorade? Gatorade has officially announced that A’ja Wilson has become the newest member of the company’s elite athlete roster, with A’ja returning as the new face of the brand.
“That was big. To be honest, I [the] “I worked the Gatorade ID activation station at the Super Bowl,” Wilson told WSLAM about the recent partnership. “It was so cool to see it all come together. That’s when it really hit home: Wow, I’m a Gatorade athlete. I’m among the best in my field and now my name is up there. It’s been a really fun journey. I think it’s finally starting to sink in and I’m starting to understand more that I’m a part of it.”
Take a still of the final, erase all the color, highlight the sweat beads in orange, of course, and throw the iconic Gatorade towel over her shoulder. “Instead of champagne, it’s just a bottle of Gatorade. If you’re going for a third straight title, you need Gatorade,” he says. Intention “At this point, I don’t need a chaser anymore,” Wilson says with a laugh, “so I guess I’ll just swap out the champagne for a bottle of Gatorade and sweat.”
While the brand’s Fruit Punch + Berry flavor has become a staple frequently seen in the Aces’ locker room, the orange flavor has been Wilson’s go-to since Day 1. From AAU tournaments to playoff press conferences, orange Gatorade has always been a part of her journey.
“So when I got it, I was super excited. [the Gatorade deal] “Because I’ve been drinking this forever. Orange Gatorade is my life forever. I love it, I love the taste, it’s number one for me. It really goes back to when I was in high school.”
Partnerships rarely get more authentic than this. Aja is the very consumer that Gatorade has built its brand on for decades. Having grown up admiring Michael Jordan’s commercials in glass and can Gatorade bottles, Wilson is now a trendsetter for the next generation, just as she has done for years in women’s basketball. Aja Wilson’s connection to Gatorade dates back to her dominating high school days at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, and she’s obsessed with the product. A series of tweets dating back to 2012 paint a pretty clear picture of Wilson’s true passion on and off the court.
“Dear Gas Station, Why Are You Out of Orange Gatorade?” – June 2012.
“#100thingsaboutme Orange Gatorade is my best!” – July 2012.
Growing up, Gatorade was a staple with every snack and meal for Wilson. Not only did it taste “top-notch,” but the brand’s clever marketing to athletes resonated with Wilson at an impressionable age.
“When I’d go to a restaurant with my parents, I’d get so upset if there wasn’t Gatorade. I’d be like, what else am I going to drink? What am I supposed to drink? that “That’s what drives great athletes,” Wilson tells SLAM. “I felt like that was coursing through MJ’s veins. And I felt like my body needed that.”
And now, in 2013-14 Gatorade State Player of the Year We will continue her legacy with the brand that has been there throughout her journey.
“This is what you’ve worked so hard for. This is what you’ve pursued. This is what you wanted. It was all you knew and you wanted to be a part of this family,” Wilson says, reflecting on how his 18-year-old self feels now. “That’s what drives greatness. Winning the award was cool and amazing, but now I’ve grown even more in that respect. Yes, I’ve grown on the court, but I’ve grown with the brand. It’s been so fun just to be a part of it. It’s just the beginning, but the best is yet to come.”
Photo courtesy of Gatorade.
