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“Woke up & thought it was a dream,” shared Angel Reese on X. For her, it’s a nightmare as TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. created a major setback for her overnight. It not only cost her 5.2 million followers, but also caused some financial strain. But as she said, “WE BACKKK,” so is the excitement to rebuild what she’d lost. However, the case isn’t the same with A’ja Wilson, despite having a TikTok account.

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Wilson, one of the W’s biggest stars, had fans laughing and scratching their heads after a hilarious social media slip-up. The Las Vegas Aces star recently found herself locked out of her TikTok account. She revealed her predicament in the most A’ja way possible, saying, “Thought it was gone, I deleted the app and idk my password.

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How could someone so on top of her game make such a rookie mistake? But hey, even MVPs are human. The timing of this blunder makes it even funnier. It all came up when Donald Trump announced an extension of 75 days, after which TikTok would face a permanent ban in the U.S.

Even Trump, who has his own complicated history with social platforms, might have appreciated the irony of Wilson’s situation. But A’ja? She accidentally hit delete. Well, her admission is a gentle reminder of why fans adore her.

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It’s because she’s relatable.

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USA Today via Reuters

Social media, especially for athletes, is more than just fun. See Reese—it’s a tool for branding, connecting with fans, and expanding reach. But for someone like Wilson, who represents the face of the W, losing access to a platform like TikTok is no small deal. However, she didn’t seem too stressed.

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Amid the TikTok ban, Wilson finds a way through endorsement deals

Despite having 421.4K followers on TikTok, A’ja Wilson isn’t worried about her account. Well, she doesn’t need to. Her significant endorsement deals and Instagram following are enough to compensate. In May 2024, Wilson inked a six-year contract extension with Nike, which also made her the 13th player in WNBA history to design a signature shoe.

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It turned out to be a game-changer for her, as she was all over social media after the deal, especially because of the Caitlin Clark controversy. But Nike isn’t the only one—she also secured a multiyear endorsement deal with Gatorade last year. In addition, she has deals with Burnt Wax Candle Company, Ruffles, and Mountain Dew.

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Not just that, she’s got an amazing social media presence too, particularly on Instagram. The league’s leading scorer has about 1 million followers, offering a window into her life. While all this seems to compensate well, what do you think? Is there any impact of the TikTok ban on three-time MVP’s life?

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Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Geisha Pulimoottil Don

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