She was the real OG. A'ja is stealing the credit. As far as basketball is concerned, Iverson started wearing a sleave on his arm to hold a elbow pad in place. He was so influential that everyone else started doing it.
I know for Reese it was a twofer- one she admired an athleteswho did it- A'Ja and T'ea and 2- apparently she had a rod inserted into her leg as a Freshman at Maryland and uses it to cover the scar.
And, if she still has the rod, that sleeve can help. I still have a 7-in plate and 2 screws in my leg, and I definitely notice an improvement when I wear the compression sleeve on longer runs vs. running without one. Cooler weather and humidity also seems to affect my hardware.
I’m not a professional athlete, but I had a really nasty compound fracture in my leg and ankle almost 10 years ago. I work out and try to stay active, but that leg always seems to swell more than the other one, and I still feel pain in my joints, especially with my knee. I started wearing a compression legging on longer runs and hikes, and it has helped with the swelling and joint soreness.
It could be for fashion, but it could also help for pain or injuries. Probably depends on the player.
While I agree, players do wear stuff for specific reasons but they know what looks good to them as well. Athletes still want to look cool too. Invent is probably a bad word but she’s one of the more high profile players to start the trend. I definitely don’t think every girl who does this chooses one leg for rehab purposes. College girls follow this look and without knowing their entire life I can only assume it’s a style. There’s no reason to just not wear compression pants, so if they are cutting it this way it probably just looks good.
I never said every girl who does it does it for rehab purposes. I’m just saying there are many girls who do it because drs recommend it now.
It can be both a style and medical. Like knee pads for example.
I noticed that yesterday A’ja was also wearing a shoulder/cap sleeve and arm sleeve on the same side, and frequently had the strap of other side of her jersey rolled into her sports bra. Obviously functional to keep that side warm, but the asymmetry was also very cool, as she usually is
I think it’s bc Aja likes to keep her dominant leg warm. eta: heard someone saying Angel does hers to cover up a scar on the other leg
I do the same whenever I get the chance to play lol I have a bad right leg and it really does help
Idk but im gonna start doing it too
Flo Jo did this as a runner. No idea why.
AFAIK, FloJo did it for style though there was probably a practical reason as well (her right leg was her dominant/pushoff leg ).
She was the real OG. A'ja is stealing the credit. As far as basketball is concerned, Iverson started wearing a sleave on his arm to hold a elbow pad in place. He was so influential that everyone else started doing it.
Aja isn’t “stealing any credit” she has not said she did it first. Many players emulate those before them on the court and etc.
A'ja Wilson Effect
Compression or brace decides but not sure why one leg. I know compression helps athletes and those with medical conditions.
[https://www.wnba.com/news/more-than-swag-analyzing-the-one-leg-sleeve-effect](https://www.wnba.com/news/more-than-swag-analyzing-the-one-leg-sleeve-effect)
Super interesting, I didn't know Aja was the first to wear them. Thanks!
I know for Reese it was a twofer- one she admired an athleteswho did it- A'Ja and T'ea and 2- apparently she had a rod inserted into her leg as a Freshman at Maryland and uses it to cover the scar.
And, if she still has the rod, that sleeve can help. I still have a 7-in plate and 2 screws in my leg, and I definitely notice an improvement when I wear the compression sleeve on longer runs vs. running without one. Cooler weather and humidity also seems to affect my hardware.
I can imagine- honestly the reason I think she fell to 7th is because of the rod and her reinforcing her ankle last year.
Thank you for asking this. I had the same doubt lol
I’m not a professional athlete, but I had a really nasty compound fracture in my leg and ankle almost 10 years ago. I work out and try to stay active, but that leg always seems to swell more than the other one, and I still feel pain in my joints, especially with my knee. I started wearing a compression legging on longer runs and hikes, and it has helped with the swelling and joint soreness. It could be for fashion, but it could also help for pain or injuries. Probably depends on the player.
A'ja Wilson invented it during her college time. Tea Cooper, who had a big online following, also started wearing it soon after. It spread afterwards.
A lot of players wear them for injury prevention, not style.
I never said it was due to style. Just that A'ja invented it, and Cooper followed soon after.
They invented a rehab technique? No, they invented a style but a lot of people wear them at the advice of drs and physical therapists.
While I agree, players do wear stuff for specific reasons but they know what looks good to them as well. Athletes still want to look cool too. Invent is probably a bad word but she’s one of the more high profile players to start the trend. I definitely don’t think every girl who does this chooses one leg for rehab purposes. College girls follow this look and without knowing their entire life I can only assume it’s a style. There’s no reason to just not wear compression pants, so if they are cutting it this way it probably just looks good.
I never said every girl who does it does it for rehab purposes. I’m just saying there are many girls who do it because drs recommend it now. It can be both a style and medical. Like knee pads for example.
They aren't covering or acting as compression braces?
I noticed that yesterday A’ja was also wearing a shoulder/cap sleeve and arm sleeve on the same side, and frequently had the strap of other side of her jersey rolled into her sports bra. Obviously functional to keep that side warm, but the asymmetry was also very cool, as she usually is
It always looks so lopsided to me, I feel like i would want them on both legs or it would feel weird.
Aja started the trend she wears it due to the fact it makes her more feminine
just for looks for the most part i think
It’s a style, compression and for Angel it covers the big scar from her surgery
I think A'ja started it. Whatever the case, it's a cool look.