A'ja Wilson's blockbuster endorsement deal is an ode to her South Carolina roots and a result of her hilariously supportive parents

• A'ja Wilson, one of the WNBA's foremost talents, is making strides as a star off the court.
• She's now the first woman athlete to partner with Ruffles, a brand with a roster of NBA superstars.

A'ja Wilson is undoubtedly one of the most dominant players in women's basketball.

And now, the four-time WNBA All-Star is getting some much-deserved superstar treatment off the court, too.

Wilson broke barriers earlier this month to become the first woman on Ruffles' distinguished athlete roster, joining a list of preeminent NBA talents — including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Jayson Tatum — who have all signed "Chip Deals" with the Frito-Lay brand.

"Seeing companies want to actually see the potential in the WNBA and want to be a part of it is something that's truly special," Wilson told Insider. "This was a big deal for me because I love snacks, and I love chips, and for me to be a part of it and join a list of LeBron, AD, and JT, oh man. It's incredible.

"This is just the best and the start of things that are about to come," she added.

Wilson credited her agent, Jade-Li English, for helping secure the deal. As one of the few WNBA players who does not travel overseas — and thus does not cash a paycheck — during the off-season, the 2020 MVP relies on her endorsements that much more.

But even beyond the financial benefits, the larger significance of the agreement both for herself individually and the WNBA collectively isn't lost on Wilson. That's part of the motivation behind using her signature flavor — Ruffles Ridge Twists Smoky BBQ — to pay homage "back to my South Carolina roots."

The Ruffles agreement marks a meaningful accomplishment for Wilson. Upon seeing her face on the grocery store shelves for the very first time, she said she expects to feel similar emotions to the ones she experienced when her alma mater — the University of South Carolina — unveiled a statue in her honor back in January 2021.

But her parents may be even more excited about it all.

"I think my parents drop by my statue pretty much every single day," Wilson said. "So they're probably gonna go to stores wherever they are and just pick up a bag. So good luck to people in South Carolina trying to get a bag of chips, because my parents will probably have them all.

"But I love that — I love that they can enjoy that, because they've sacrificed so much for me," she added. "I'm trying not to even get emotional, but they sacrificed so much for me. And to see them actually reap the benefits of doing that is just a beautiful thing for me."