The journey of designing and releasing a signature shoe is a long one. A’ja Wilson, whose Nike shoe is slated for a 2025 release, shared the joys and challenges of the process at a media event Monday.

The two-time WNBA champion was one of the featured guests during a series of discussions about all-things basketball, which took place at Nike’s headquarters in New York City. Wilson was joined on stage by Nike Inc. president of geographies and marketplace Craig Williams, as well as Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum via Zoom. The conversation was moderated by ESPN and MSG basketball analyst Monica McNutt.

Among the topics discussed, the three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player shared the pressures that come with having a signature shoe.

“There is pressure when it comes to competing with other brands or just wanting to [have] the best shoe, but at the same time you don’t want the message to get lost, you don’t want the storytelling to get lost. That’s tough because there are a lot of great ideas,” Wilson said. “We have some dope shoes out there. You don’t want your shoe to be just another one. You want longevity, you want a shoe to have a name after a game you had, like the [Air Jordan 12] ‘Flu Game.’ That type of substance is a lot of pressure.”

She continued, “Sitting at the table with your team, having those hard conversations, that caught me by surprise. I thought they were going to be like, ‘Here’s a shoe, we’re just going to put your signature on it’ [Laughs.] But no, they were like, ‘We’re going to break it down,’ and I didn’t think I was ready for that, but now I am and I am so excited and thankful for my team.”

On stage, Wilson, too, shared the joys of being a signature athlete.

“It’s a blessing to me, honestly. It’s something that you dream of as a kid, like, ‘Oh, I get my shoe. Oh, my God, this is it.’ To see it coming to reality has been a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun,” Wilson said. “I have an awesome team that is trying to put my weird words that I say into a shoe, which is great, because I’m like, ‘I want the thing that goes the thing,’ and then they’re like, ‘OK, we’ve got it.'”

She continued, “It’s unique to me because it’s a shoe that can do a lot. It’s a versatile shoe — anyone can wear it. It’s not a big man shoe, a big woman shoe. It’s going to be comfortable for everyone, and I hope everyone feels that.”

Nike announced in May that it was working with Wilson on a signature collection that would include a shoe, dubbed the A’One. A month later, the brand revealed her logo, which features a star in the “A” of her signature.

Speaking exclusively with FN in July, Wilson provided some insights about her A’One sneaker.

“When people look at my position in basketball, they think of a big-man shoe, a forward or center shoe. The A’One is not that. It is the complete opposite,” Wilson told FN. “It’s very versatile because that is my style of play. And I wanted a shoe that was going to be comfortable and durable for 40 minutes because the last thing I want to worry about on court are my shoes. And it’s a low top.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Puma is redoubling its efforts in basketball. The sports brand has launched its first-ever global campaign. The project features five Puma Hoops athletes and is titled, “FOREVER. FASTER. See The Game Like We Do.”

“Since the start we’ve always tried to tell the story of basketball through the lens of the player, seeing the game the way they do, both on the court and off the court,” Puma Basketball’s global head, Max Staiger, says in a statement. “This approach has allowed us to connect those unique viewpoints with disruptive product and storytelling —impactful to anyone around the game.”

In the campaign, Breanna Stewart, Flau’jae Johnson, Scoot Henderson, LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton appear individually on the court. They largely appear in some form of play with the exception of LaMelo who appears with one of his dogs.

“The campaign showcases the tenacious spirit we have for the game and the investment we are willing to make to show up as a powerhouse and continue carving our legacy, “Richard Teyssier, vice president brand and marketing for Puma says. “This dedicated campaign will continue to thread our message across the business and amplify our holistic vision for the brand.”

The campaign, which debuted globally this weekend, includes a hero brand film. It also is simply the latest move in strengthening the basketball business. Earlier this month, the company announced its deal with Haliburton, its most accomplished signee in the NBA. In addition, earlier this year the company announced that star designer Salehe Bembury had inked a partnership to design the company’s next signature silhouette. In addition, Ball’s MB.02 sneaker is one of the top three bestselling basketball shoes on StockX.

This all comes after the German company rejoined the sport in 2018.

Less than a week after assuming control of Nike, president and CEO Elliott Hill has made his first public comments.

Shortly after the Swoosh announced it had extended its apparel and uniform contract with the WNBA, the NBA and the NBA G League on Monday, Hill was featured on a panel at Nike’s headquarters in New York City. He was joined by Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, as well as NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo via Zoom. The conversation was moderated by ESPN and MSG basketball analyst Monica McNutt.

During the panel, Hill — a company veteran of 32 years — discussed Nike’s evolving role in basketball, as well as potential barriers to progress.

Below is what Hill shared on stage at Nike’s NYC headquarters, edited for clarity.

On the New York Liberty’s WNBA Finals Win

“The Liberty fans, if there is such a thing as a sixth player, without question I think it was the Liberty fans. The atmosphere in the building last night [Oct. 20] was electric, it was loud, it was fun, it was real. There’s no question in my mind they helped will them to victory.”

Nike’s Role in the Growth of Basketball

“For the last 50-plus years, Nike has been very much about putting the athlete at the center of the conversation. That helps drive the innovation around product and storytelling, etc., so we’ll continue to do that. Nike has always been about growth and growing sport around the world, and when we do that, we grow the industry, we make the industry bigger, and we’ll continue to do that. As it relates to our partnership, it’s very much in the same vein. We’re going to put the athlete — whether it’s the elite athlete or the everyday athlete or the fan — at the center and try to extend the game of basketball beyond the elite athlete to grassroots, men’s, women’s, boys, girls, different formats, three-on-three. You can go down the list. International is a big piece of how we grow the game of basketball, and it is at the core of what we continue to talk about. And I would add moving beyond just on court to lifestyle and the culture of basketball, it’s a tremendous opportunity for both of us to continue to grow the game of basketball.”

Barriers to Progress

“Sometimes we set our own barriers. We talk a lot about human potential at Nike. We all see the potential of the game, and I think we inadvertently maybe set some some of the boundaries around it. I think we — and I speak of our two companies and the partnership we have and all the brands that we have here — have to treat ourselves much like an athlete, and to continue to push ourselves to think differently, to get better, to put that athlete and that consumer at the center of everything that we do. If we can do that, we’ll come up with new and interesting ways to celebrate the game, move the game forward and I think help grow the game globally.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Ja Morant’s Murray State-themed Nike Ja 2s aren’t the only college colors appearing on the NBA star’s second signature sneaker. On Friday, Morant took to social media to show off a new batch of player exclusives for six different Nike-sponsored schools.

Included in the mix are Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, LSU, Oregon and UConn. Out of all the teams, the Oregon Ducks have the most options with three colorways to choose from in white, yellow and black. Duke, LSU and UConn all have two apiece in traditional home and away looks. Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats each have one white-based style included in the preview.

Changes to the sneakers are subtle yet easily recognizable for fans of the schools. The Nike Ja 2’s lateral ribbed paneling and mesh uppers remain unaltered, but the colors of each pair have been blocked to match their respective teams. Elsewhere, university logos appear on the tongues.

It’s not yet confirmed if any of these Nike Ja 2 college PEs will potentially be released, but it’s unlikely based on Nike’s past player exclusive rollouts. However, Morant’s Murray State hall of fame induction colorway was launched in September, so it’s not completely out of the question.

Next up for the retail releases of the Nike Ja 2 is a Halloween-themed “Nightmare” edition set to hit nike.com and select Nike Basketball retailers on Oct. 25 for a retail price of $130.

Also on Friday, Morant debuted a new colorway of the Nike Ja 2 while the Memphis Grizzlies hosted the Miami Heat in a preseason loss. The white colorway featured a yellow Swoosh and a paint splatter effect across the entire shoe. There’s currently no word on if this pair will be released.

This story will be updated with any potential launch developments on the Nike Ja 2 college PEs. For now, readers can preview the full spread below and look out for the sneakers on court this season.

March Madness Sneakers

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Reebok has added some young basketball talent to its growing roster of athletes.

The athletic brand announced the addition of Nate Ament to its roster, a lineup that features several standouts, including WNBA star Angel Reese. Ament is the first-ever high school basketball athlete that Reebok has signed to a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal.

With this multiyear partnership, Reebok stated Ament will support brand activations and help bring awareness to its performance and lifestyle product offerings. This includes Reebok’s newest court-ready basketball shoe, the Engine A.

“I’m so excited to welcome Nate into the Reebok family,” Shaquille O’Neal, president of Reebok Basketball, said in a statement. “He’s a great kid who comes from an amazing family and he’s got superstar potential on the court. We know he’s going to do big things and we’ll be right there with him.”

Ament is a 6-foot-9 small forward from Manassas, Va., and is currently the No. 4 ranked prospect in the ESPN 100 recruiting index.

“Reebok has everything I need as a young basketball player to take my game to the next level,” Ament said in a statement. “Shaq and A.I. [Allen Iverson], all my dreams have been lived out by these legends, so to have them as a resource is exciting. I’m just amped to see what we can do together with all the possibilities ahead.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Kobe Bryant fans are likely well acquainted with his signature Adidas and Nike lines, but the late basketball legend’s sneaker legacy goes beyond his own footwear. In addition to wearing various 1990s Adidas models while playing for Philadelphia’s Lower Merion High School, Bryant wore one of the more iconic Nike designs of the era in the Air Max Uptempo, known today as the Air Max Uptempo 95.

As its name suggests, the Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 was released in 1995 and is set to return next year for its 30th anniversary. It was the third installment of Nike’s heavily cushioned Uptempo basketball line, which ran throughout the 1990s and included other classic designs such as the Air More Uptempo, made famous on the court by Scottie Pippen. Prior to the Air More Uptempo, Pippen was one of the NBA top names who wore the Air Max Uptempo 95 along with Kevin Garnett and then-college stars such as Ray Allen and Tim Duncan. 

While not quite as bold in its styling as its Air More Uptempo relative, the Air Max Uptempo 95 was an aggressive design for its time. It was Nike’s first basketball shoe to use full-length visible Air cushioning, expanding on the Air Max2 heel unit of its predecessor. With a puffy, padded upper, the Air Max Uptempo 95 doubled down on Swoosh logos.

“The Air Max Uptempo basketball shoe is for big, fast, crashing-down-from-the-boards like-o-meteorite kind of players. The earth is protected from them by the most Nike-Air cushioning we’ve ever put into one sole,” reads an original ’95 Nike advertisement for the shoe.

The Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 OG will return in ’25 in its original “White/White/Black/Mystic Teal” colorway. It’s expected to be released on March 9 for a retail price of $165. The 2011 iteration of the shoe is pictured below.

Kobe Bryant’s 10 Best Sneaker Looks

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Former NBA star Vince Carter reached the pinnacle of basketball accolades Saturday as he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. The only NBA player to tally 22 seasons of play, Carter’s legacy includes some of the sport’s most acrobatic slam dunks as well as a three-point shooting record that stands among the league’s all-time best. A longtime Nike endorsee, Carter headlined the Hall of Fame inductions Saturday, and the brand congratulated him with a special set of sneakers for the big occasion. 

The two-shoe box presented to Carter included gold-accented colorways of the Nike Shox BB4 sneaker with personalized details including his initials, jersey number, the year 2024  and “HOF” embroidered on the sides. One pair is covered in metallic gold across its ribbed upper and features purple Shox springs. The second pair is more restrained in its design, using a black-and-white upper with gold filling in the heel area surrounding the Shox columns.

While not considered an official signature shoe, the Shox BB4 was often associated with Carter and worn by the NBA legend while representing Team USA during the 2000 Summer Olympics. Carter also wore the model in the early 2000s while playing with the Toronto Raptors and nearly two decades later during the sneaker’s retro run in 2018 and 2019. 

Along with NBA and WNBA players and college and high school coaches, Carter was one of 13 names selected for this year’s inductions. He was drafted by the Raptors in 1998 and won the Rookie of the Year Award during a shortened season due to the 98-99 NBA lockout. Throughout his record-setting career, Carter played for eight different teams and was an eight-time NBA All-Star. He currently has the ninth most regular season three-point field goals ever made.

Although the Nike Shox BB4 is arguably Carter’s most memorable sneaker, it’s one of many notable pairs from his career. During his 2000 Slam Dunk Contest win at NBA Star Weekend, Carter wore the And1 Tai Chi for his unforgettable through-the-legs dunk. And while he eventually received his own Shox VC signature models, it’s the Shox BB4 that is most closely tied to the newly inducted Hall of Famer. 

The Shox BB4 isn’t currently part of Nike Sportswear’s lineup, but the brand does have a few retro Shox pairs for sale including the Shox R4 and Shox TL. As for Carter’s personalized pairs, the packaging indicates the shoes were a 1-of-1 custom and won’t be released, but readers can find a detailed look at the special sneakers below.

[PHOTOS] 8 Classic NBA All-Star Game MVP Shoe Moments

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Although young, Moolah Kicks has quickly become a go-to brand for women basketball players. Its newest moves should earn the brand even more fans.

The by women, for women performance basketball brand announced a collaboration with Stanley on Friday. The collaboration, Moolah stated, is Stanley’s first with a footwear brand.

Moolah reimagined the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler, available in 30 oz and 40 oz sizes, as well as the 24-ounce IceFlow Flip Straw Bottle. They are all dressed vibrant swirl and cool turquoise colors with chrome details, made to match Moolah’s shoes.

“We want to make sure that we’re focusing on all things performance, full circle for the athlete,” Moolah Kicks founder and chief executive officer Natalie White told FN. “It makes sense for us because Stanley is a legendary brand that definitely knows the playbook on getting hot this day and age, and so does women’s basketball, so it makes sense from a trend standpoint. It also makes sense because Stanley has a fantastic product. It performs on what it promises, and we have the same thing at Moolah.”

She continued, “The hope is that together, we have footwear that allows players to play their best and then we have drinkware to mash it, so that when players are playing they can have a cool sip of water mid game.”

The Moolah Kicks x Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler retails for $45 for the 30 oz and $45 for the 40 oz, and the collaborative 24-ounce IceFlow Flip Straw Bottle comes with a $45 price tag.

Moolah’s collaboration with Stanley will be available exclusively via Dick’s Sporting Goods.

“We are consumer-obsessed and are constantly striving to find ways to engage with them in more places within their lives. Teaming up with Moolah for a first-of-its-kind collaboration gave us the unique opportunity to provide outstanding female athletes with hydration gear that is innovative, useful and elevates their style on and off the court,” Stanley North America general manager Jon Hanson said in a statement.

Along with the Stanley collaboration, Moolah has revealed two new court-ready silhouettes for fall 2024: the Neovolt Pro v2 and the Press Break v2. Both models, Moolah explained, were built to biomechanically fit the female foot form, reducing the break-in period and reducing the risk of knee, ankle and leg injury. This is what Moolah refers to as its “no break in, no burn” fit.

The Neovolt Pro v2, the brand explained, is mid-top shoe that offers custom comfort through its webbing lacing system. Also, Moolah added notched wings to accommodate ankle braces and utilized engineered mesh on the uppers for breathability.

It will debut in seven colorways — black, white, red, blue, red/aqua, orange/pink and gray — and retail for $125.

“I have loved playing in my Neovolt Pros and credit their performance to helping my team make the playoffs this year,” Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams said in a statement. “The Neovolt Pro v2s are even better and demonstrated how Moolah Kicks continues to up its game for female ballers.”

As for the Press Break v2, which Moolah’s shoe for young girls, the brand will release four colorways: black/gold, orange/pink, red/aqua and white.

Moolah described the shoe as mid-top, with ankle support provided by a foam molded collar and airflow from its air mesh tongue. The look was also made with durability in mind, including the addition of a TPU toe cap to its woven uppers, as well as a new high abrasion rubber compound for the outsole.

The Press Break v2 will release in sizes 3.5Y to 7Y and retail for $90.

Both models will arrive Oct. 18 — high school and college basketball season — both in-store and online via Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as on Moolahkicks.com.

In addition to the Stanley collaboration and two new models, Moolah has also revealed a rebrand, which includes a new logo that will be featured into the design of each model. The new logo, the brand explained, depicts a ball and net that forms the letter “M” for Moolah at the bottom of the net.

The rebranding, however, is much more than a new logo.

“How the rebrand will look to the consumer is a new logo and clearer messaging,” White said. “But now, we have a very clear brand guide that plays into our new mission and brand architecture, which is very clearly to elevate, see and celebrate women’s basketball. Every single thing we do, internally and externally, that is the focus and the order of importance.”

This rebrand, White explained, includes elevating all of its shoes, which Moolah has done with the two new aforementioned styles. “The most important thing is they are allowing female hoopers to perform at the highest level,” she said.

Also, White stated Moolah will work to communicate that the brand is for athletes of all levels, whether that’s someone playing Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball in fifth grade or Williams on the WNBA court. “It’s about highlighting all of these different communities, rather than just one note of what women’s basketball looks like,” White said.

And in terns of celebrating, White said it will continue to reinvest into women’s basketball as it has, including more equipment or financial opportunities via marketing and sponsorship for female athletes.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Puma Hoops believes it has made the ultimate game day basketball shoe.

The athletic giant has released the All-Pro Nitro Elite, a tech-loaded basketball shoe ready for any court. With its release, Puma Hoops has also unveiled a new innovation: Nitro SQD foam.

Nitro SQD is a full-length, nitrogen-injected foam internal midsole that Puma stated was created to offer superior responsiveness and cushioning. A softer foam for cushion, the brand explained, is surrounded by more rigid foam for stability.

Aside from Nitro SQD foam, the All-Pro Nitro Elite features several other Puma innovations, including its Pwrplate carbon fiber shank that is built into the insole for torsional rigidity, as well as its lightweight and breathable Ultraweave engineered woven upper with multi-zoned materials for targeted support.

Also, Puma included a heel counter Formstrip on the Nitro SQD, which the brand described as an electroplated external TPU heel counter that was added for explosive side-to-side movements. The shoe is completed with high-abrasion outsoles for quick cuts.

The Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite is available now via Puma.com, the Puma app, the brand’s New York City flagship store and at Dicks Sporting Goods. It released in a full size run and retails for $250.

Puma All-Pro NITRO Elite Men’s Basketball Shoes

$250 Buy Now at puma

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

USC basketball star JuJu Watkins has reportedly signed a multiyear contract extension with Nike.

With this extension, which was first reported via X (formerly Twitter) by ESPN senior NBA insider Shams Charania, Watkins will have one of the richest shoe endorsement deals in women’s basketball.

Charania further reported that discussions with Nike to close the deal ended on Tuesday, and the negotiations were led by several people from Klutch Sports, including chief executive officer Rich Paulm agent Jade-Li English, Klutch Sports Group head of marketing Eric Eways and vice president of basketball marketing Brittany McCallum.

Nike added Watkins to its ambassador roster in October 2022 alongside several other high school and college student athletes, including Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, Haley Jones and DJ Wagner.

With Angel Reese, Clark and others leaving college for the WNBA in April, several women’s sports insiders revealed to FN who they believe are basketball’s next marketable stars. The leading name was Watkins.

“After having a historic season, there is no doubt that JuJu Watkins is one of women’s college basketball’s next big marketable stars,” said Greydy Diaz, a journalist, host and producer who covers women’s sports. “With JuJu being so young in her life and career, there is ample opportunity for her to continue building her brand while connecting with audiences through storytelling about her life and journey on and especially off the court.”

Although her career is young, Watkins has accumulated several on-court accolades, including becoming the highest-scoring freshmen ever this past season with 920 points. Off the court, she has several NIL deals, including Celsius, Estée Lauder and NerdWallet, and has 984,000 followers on Instagram.

The guard started 34 games in her freshman season at USC, averaging 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Watkins and USC will start the 2024-25 season on Nov. 4 against Ole Miss.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.