When it comes to sneakers, NBA players have always been trendsetters. From the early days of Converse and Puma to the explosion of Nike, Jordan, and Adidas throughout the 80s and 90s, basketball players have always been at the forefront of sneaker culture. Today, that tradition continues, with many current NBA players having their own signature sneakers.
So who are the NBA players with signature shoes in the 2022/23 NBA seasons? Currently, there are 24 players in the league (technically 23 due to Kyrie and Nike cutting ties) who have their own signature shoes, that’s only around 5% of players in the NBA. Let’s take a look at who they are, the brands that they are with, and their most recent releases.
NBA Players with Nike Signature Shoes
Nike is and has been one of the biggest brands in the world and they have a long history of collaborating with some of the best and most iconic stars in the NBA. From the Nike Air Jordans to the Kobe 6’s, Nike has probably had the biggest impact in shaping the basketball sneakers industry into what it is today. As of December 2022, Nike has 6 players with signature basketball shoes.
1. LeBron – Nike LeBron 20
Considered by many to be the GOAT, the kid from Akron LeBron James signed a 10-year endorsement deal with Nike worth $70 million in 2003 before entering the NBA draft. In 2016, LeBron signed a “lifetime” contract with the, which was reportedly worth up to $1 billion.
The Nike “Air Zoom Generations” was the first signature shoe and since 2003 LeBron and Nike have released 20 different signature sneakers, including the LeBron Soldier, LeBron Ambassador, and LeBron XV. LeBron’s shoes are known for their strong performance features and bold design, and they have become a fan favorite among basketball players and sneakerheads alike.
2. Kevin Durant – Nike KD 15
Kevin “The Slim Reaper” Durant initially signed a 60-million endorsement deal with the swoosh brand way back in 2007, the second-largest rookie endorsement deal at the time behind LeBron James. In 2014 KD re-signed with Nike on a 10-year deal that was reportedly worth $300 million.
The KD line has consistently dropped some of the freshest and most performance-driven basketball shoes on the market, with each iteration bringing new and innovative technology to the table. KD has 15 different signature basketball shoes with Nike, the KD15 being the most recent. The KD15s feature a multilayered mesh upper for ventilation, TPU wings for support, and a molded heel for Achilles support. It also includes full-length Air Zoom Strobel technology for a lightweight and responsive fit.
3. Ja Morant – JA 1
The newest star to be added to the exclusive Nike signature shoe roster is Ja Morant, Grizzlies fans and basketball shoe enthusiasts couldn’t be more excited. The Ja 1, which has been in the works for a while is expected to be released in April 2023 and Nike has referred to him as its first “Gen-Z athlete,” highlighting his status as a young, up-and-coming player.
Nike is set to release several colorways of the Ja 1, including “Day One” (Cobalt Bliss), “Phantom,” “White Sundial” (Kids), “Game Royal,” “Rapid Teal,” and “Midnight.” Each shoe will feature Ja Morant’s personal branding and storytelling elements for select releases.
4. Paul George – PG 6
Paul George’s first signature shoe with Nike, the PG 1, made its debut in September 2016, six years after his first NBA season. The PG 1 quickly became one of the most popular shoes in the NBA.
Fast-forward to the present day and the PG 6 is George’s newest shoe. It is designed with a striking color paneling and undulating lines. The upper is made of lightweight mesh and sits atop responsive React foam cushioning for a bouncy feel.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – Nike Zoom Freak 4
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s aka the Greek Freak rise to superstardom seem to come out of nowhere but after his 2016-17, it was clear to most NBA fans that Giannis was going to be a force on the court.
In November 2017 Antetokounmpo re-signed with Nike on a long-term contract extension signature shoe line with Nike, and two years later the Zoom Freak, made its debut on June 29, 2019, with the release of the Zoom Freak 1. The second shoe in the line, the Zoom Freak 2, was released in July 2020 ahead of the NBA season restart in the bubble in Orlando. Antetokounmpo’s shoes have gained a lot of attention and popularity over the years, and he is now on the Zoom Freak 4.
6. Kyrie Irving – Nike Kyrie 8
Nike released Kyrie Irving’s first signature shoe in 2014 when Irving was in his fourth year and Irving was already a 2x All-star. Kyrie was the 20th player to receive a signature shoe from Nike and his collaboration with Nike produced 8 signature sneakers with the last being the Nike Kyrie Infinity. Kyrie’s partnership with Nike ended On December 5, 2022, after he shared a link to a documentary containing antisemitic messages on Twitter.
NBA Players with Adidas Signature Shoes
There’s no doubt that Nike and Nike affiliated brand, Jordan currently owns the larger share of the basketball sneaker market, but Adidas is a strong contender. The brand with 3-stripes has a star-studded line-up of NBA players with their own signature line.
7. James Harden – adidas Harden Vol. 7
James Harden is currently up to his 7th iteration signature shoe, the Adidas Harden Vol. 7. It all started back in 2015 when he signed a mega deal worth $200M, and the Vol.1 was released shortly after – Dec 3rd, 2016 to be exact!
The former MVP has been rocking the Harden Vol. 7. during the 2022-2023 NBA season, but we currently have no release info at this time.
8. Damian Lillard – adidas Dame 8
Damian Lillard signed a 10-year $100 Million deal with the Three Stripes brand in 2014 and it’s fair to say the partnership has been a success. The first iteration of The D Lillard 1 was released in early 2015 during Lillard’s third NBA season. Dame is now on the eighth generation of his signature shoe, the Adidas Dame 8.
The upper part of the shoe is made of a breathable mesh material and is attached to a dual-density Bounce Pro midsole, providing both comfort and stability. The Dame 8 is available in several color options, including “Respect My Name” and “Dame Time.”
9. Trae Young – adidas Trae Young 2.0
In 2019, Trae Young signed a multi-year contract with Adidas and debuted his first signature shoe, the Adidas Trae Young 1’s, during the Atlanta Hawks’ 2021 playoff run.
Young, the two-time All-Star’s second model with Adidas, the Trae Young 2.0 was released November 1st, 2022, and features a knit upper with a combination of Boost cushioning in the heel and EVA foam on the front half this helps provide comfort and stability.
10. Donovan Mitchell – adidas D.O.N Issue #4
On December 27, 2018, Adidas Basketball unveiled the first signature shoe for NBA player Donovan Mitchell, called the “D.O.N. Issue #1,” which was named to reflect Mitchell’s Determination Over Negativity mantra.
Mitchell’s latest shoe is the D.O.N Issue #4’s they have a lightweight, breathable upper and a Lighstrike cushioning
11. Derrick Rose – adidas D Rose Son Of Chi
Derrick Rose was once one of the most electrifying point guards in the league. Rose has been with Adidas since he was drafted first overall in 2008, and his first sneaker, the adiZero Rose 1, hit the shelves in 2010. After his MVP season in 2011 Rose re-signed with Adidas for a deal that was reportedly worth around $185 million over 14 years. Unfortunately, a string of devastating injuries really slowed him down before he got to the peak of his powers.
But even though D Rose isn’t the same player he used to be, his signature Adidas sneakers are still going strong. Fast forward to today, and Adidas is still cranking out new versions of the D Rose shoe. The latest one is called the Adidas Son of Chi, and there’s even a DRose 12 on the horizon.
NBA Players with Jordan Signature Shoes
Sneakerheads and basketball fans all know the impact that Michael Jordan has had on the sport and on popular culture. The Jordan brand is synonymous with basketball and the NBA and the Jumpman brand currently has the third-most NBA players with a signature shoe with four
12. Luka Doncic – Jordan Luka 1
In 2019, Luka Doncic signed a five-year, $75 million contract with Jordan Brand. Doncic’s first signature sneaker the “Jordan Luka 1” hit shelves in the summer of 2022.
A bunch of cutting-edge technology has been incorporated into the Jordan Luka 1’s. The upper has an IsoPlate foot frame for lateral stability. Embroidered Flight Wire can be found on the lateral side of the shoe providing extra support, while the midsole is loaded with Formula 23 foam cushioning for shock absorption.
13. Zion Williamson – Jordan Zion 2
Zion Williamson, the explosive first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Jordan Brand prior to his first official NBA season. The deal is rumored to be worth more than $70 million over the period of his contract.
Williamson made a splash with his Jordan Zion 1 sneakers, and followed it up with his second silhouette the “Zion 2”.
14. Chris Paul – Jordan CP3 XIII
Chris Paul “CP3” (not to be confused with WNBA superstar Candace Parker) is now wearing his twelfth signature shoe with Jordan Brand. CP3 signed his first contract with the Nike subsidiary brand way back in 2006 when he signed a six-year deal, he has been with the company for 16+ years now.
His most recent sneaker is the Jordan CP3.12 is the 12th release. It features a knit build with synthetic overlays. It also contains Zoom Air technology in the forefoot with a Phylon midsole.
15. Russell Westbrook – Jordan Why Not .6?
Russell Westbrook aka “Mr Triple Double” signed with Jordan Brand in 2012, he then signed a ten-year extension in 2017 and his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand was released in early 2018, the “Why Not Zer0.1”.
The former MVP and 9x NBA All-Star has since released five more shoes in this line, with the sixth model the “Jordan Why Not Zer0.6” set to be dropped sometime in 2023.
NBA Players with Under Armour Signature Shoes
Under Armour sent shock waves through the sneaker free agency market when the company poached Stephen Curry from rivals, Nike. In 2015, the company totaled $1.2 billion in sales up to the end of August, surpassing Adidas in the process. Under Armour’s rise has since tailed off but they still have two of the NBA’s most talented players on their signature shoe roster.
16. Stephen Curry – Under Armour Curry Flow 10
Golden State Warriors living legend, Steph Curry signed up with Under Armour back in 2013. Curry really put Under Armour basketball sneakers on the map with his first couple of models, and there’s no doubt that his endorsement deal with the brand contributed to Under Armour’s gaining ground on other sportswear brands like Adidas and Nike.
Chef Curry inked a lifetime extension with the brand that is set to pay him $1 billion while he stays the face of UA Basketball. Curry now has 10 iterations of the signature series, with the latest being the Under Armour Curry Flow 10.
17. Joel Embiid – Under Armour Embiid 1
Joel Embiid is one of the only true big men on this list with a signature shoe. Embiid signed a five-year deal with Under Armour the Baltimore based company in 2018. The 7-foot big man’s first shoe “The Under Armour Embiid 1” were released in the fall of 2020.
NBA Players with Puma Signature Shoes
Puma’s resurgence to relevancy in basketball sneaker circles has been led by the signing of young and exciting NBA talent, with LaMelo Ball being their poster boy.
18. LaMelo Ball – Puma MB.02
LaMelo Ball’s Puma shoe deal is reportedly worth $100 million. Melo is on to his second signature shoe with the German brand, the “MB.02.”
The MB.02 basketball sneakers are designed with traction and responsiveness in mind. The shoes feature a breathable woven mesh upper and have a unique “1 of 1” wings motif on the heel and tongue. The Nitro foam midsole is lightweight and provides much needed cushioning.
NBA Players with New Balance Signature Shoes
New Balance are a small player in a competitive basketball sneaker market but they do have one of the best two-way players in the NBA Kawhi Leonard on their signature shoe roster.
19. Kawhi Leonard – KAWHI TWO
Kawhi agreed to a multi-year shoe deal with the brand New Balance in 2018. The deal is estimated to be worth significantly more than $5 million per year. Leonard’s first official signature shoe, the KAWHI, was released in August 2020 during the NBA Bubble season and the “KAWHI TWO” were launched in 2021.
NBA Players with Li-Ning Signature Shoes
The NBA has grown in popularity with Chinese fans and this has resulted in more NBA players opting to sign major contracts with brands like Li-Ning. The Chinese sportswear brand currently has two players on their roster.
20. Jimmy Butler – Li-Ning JB1
Jimmy Bucket’s Butler signed with Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning in 2020, it is reported that Butler will make $3 million a year from this deal that effectively makes him the current face of Li-Ning basketball division. Butler’s first signature shoe with the brand the “Jimmy Butler JB1” were released in the fall of 2022.
21. CJ McCollum – Li-Ning CJ 2
In 2017 McCollum signed a five-year shoe endorsement deal with the Chinese brand Li-Ning. His first signature sneaker, the “Li-Ning CJ 1” was released in 2021 and McCollum’s latest pair are the CJ 2.
Other NBA Players with Signature Sneakers
22. Klay Thompson – Anta KT 8
Klay “Splash Bro” Thompson first signed with Chinese brand Anta in 2015, two years later he resigned on a 10-year deal that was reportedly worth $8 million per year. Klay and Anta have since dropped 8 models of his signature line the “Anta KT” shoes, with the latest being the KT8’s. It has been difficult for Klay fans and basketball sneakerheads outside of China to get their hands on his shoes because of Anta’s limited distribution in the US.
23. Gordon Hayward – Anta GH3
In 2018, Gordon Hayward announced that he had signed a new deal with Chinese sneaker brand Anta, along with his first signature shoe the GH1 which dropped during the 2019-20 season, and in late 2022, Hayward inked a 5-year extension with Anta. Hayward has 3 signature shoes with the brand and the GH3’s are the most recent ones.
24. Aaron Gordon – AG2
In 2020, Aaron Gordon put pen to paper on a lucrative deal with the Chinese brand 361 Degrees. Gordon’s first signature shoe with 361 Degrees was the “AG1”, he is now on to his 2nd and latest iteration dubbed the AG2. Gordon’s third signature shoe is due to be released in the 2022-2023 NBA season.
