- A’ja Wilson, a three-time WNBA champion, is the fourth Black woman to earn a solo spot on the Wheaties box.
- Wilson’s achievements, including four WNBA MVPs, make her one of the greatest athletes of her generation.
- As part of this historic moment, General Mills will donate $50,000 to the A’ja Wilson Foundation.
A’ja Wilson’s The trophy case is already overflowing, but she’s making room for one more distinction: becoming Wheaties’ newest champion. This makes the three-time WNBA champion just the fourth Black woman to earn a solo spot on the iconic orange box.
The 3x WNBA Champion, 4x Kia WNBA MVP and 2x WNBA Finals MVP has already established herself as one of the greatest living athletes of her generation (bar none) and now sports fans get the chance to take home the collector’s edition breakfast headpiece featuring Wilson’s likeness. A press release notes that General Mills will also donate $50,000 to the A’ja Wilson Foundation as part of this historic moment. The A’ja Wilson Foundation, founded in 2019 by the athlete and her parents, advocates for bullying prevention and education about dyslexia.
More than 850 athletes have appeared on the cover of Wheaties boxes since the legacy began in 1934, and even fewer women have received the honor, with fewer than 40 on the covers since Mary Lou Retton’s appearance in 1984. Even fewer black women have been named Wheaties champions, with Serena Williams gracing two boxes, Simone Biles and Coco Gauff each with one to their name, and Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes deserves her honor. alongside the “Magnificent Seven” in 1996.
“Being on the cover of a Wheaties box is one of those things you dream about growing up,” Wilson said of the honor. “For me, this is about showing every little girl what’s possible when you dream big. I’m proud of the work, proud of the journey and proud to partner with a brand that honors champions who continue to move the game forward.”
In just eight seasons in the WNBA, Wilson has racked up more than 6,000 points, was named Rookie of the Year and became the only player in league history to take home a Kia WNBA MVP, Kia Defensive Player of the Year.
Year, Finals MVP and a scoring title in the same season. She also exceeded expectations when her signature Nike shoe hit shelves in 2025. Although highly anticipated and, according to many, long overdue, no one could have predicted the demand for the shoes, with the A’One Pink A’ura selling out within 10 minutes.
Wilson will commemorate her Wheaties boxing moment by donning a player-exclusive pair of A’Twos in the color “A’Wheaties” on August 8, her birthday, when the Las Vegas Aces take on the Minnesota Lynx.
After the WNBA reached a landmark deal with its players, allowing the latter to get a share of the league’s steadily growing revenues, Wilson crossed another milestone. The decorated league veteran will reportedly sign a three-year, $1.5 million contract with the potential to grow to $5 million, making her the highest-paid player in WNBA history.
To say she “earned” her spot in the Wheaties Hall of Legends would be a gross understatement, as many of the male athletes who came before her, in basketball and other sports, did after their first standout year. Athletes like Michael Jordan, Jalen Hurts and Steph Curry appeared on the coveted orange box long before they’d even touched the hem of Wilson’s brace garment.
“A’ja is the definition of a Wheaties Champion – a generational talent whose leadership, resilience and commitment to empowering others have set a new standard,” said Emilie Knox, Vice President and Business Unit Director for Wheaties at General Mills in a press release about the moment. “She’s not just dominating the game; she’s creating space for more girls and women to see themselves in it. We’re proud to celebrate A’ja on the iconic orange box as she continues to achieve victories on and off the court.”
We like to see the “Breakfast of Champions” include the champion himself. The A’ja Wilson Wheaties box will hit stores later this month.
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