These NBA stars made quite an impression when they debuted their performance models on the court.
More often than not, an NBA star’s (or any athlete’s) first signature sneaker sets the tone for the rest of their performance line, whether it’s in terms of design or the overall performance that their sneakers have to offer.
In most cases, these debut sneakers serve as the foundations for highly successful signature lines and have been fondly remembered among sneakerheads as the years go by.
That being said, here are some of the NBA superstars who made a strong impression with their first-ever signature sneakers.
Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier
Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s PUMA Clydes are essentially a modified version of the PUMA Suedes, featuring a narrower fit, a more pointed toebox, and a more durable outsole that can last on the hardwood.
More than being Walt’s signature model, the PUMA Clydes also became an integral part of pop culture, as it was embraced by New York-based breakdancers, hip-hop artists, and even skateboarders as their sneaker of choice.
Given the Clyde’s simple but classy look, it’s easy to see why they were integrated into cultures outside of basketball following its initial release.
Michael Jordan
Already considered innovative in 1984, the Air Jordan 1 continues to be relevant in the sneaker world as a solid casual wear shoe, while iconic colorways including the “Bred”, “Shattered Backboard”, and “Chicago” remain highly coveted among sneakerheads.
And that’s not even considering the collaborative Jordan 1 models, such as the deconstructed take by Virgil Abloh and Off-White, or Dior’s high-fashion variant that was released back in 2020.
Allen Iverson
Accompanying Allen Iverson’s impact on basketball culture is his signature line with Reebok, which was a hit among sneakerheads and basketball fans in the late 1990s to early 2000s.
AI’s sneaker line started with the now-iconic Reebok Question, which was his weapon of choice as he instantly made waves in the NBA coming out of Georgetown. In fact, the Questions were the very sneakers that Iverson wore during his iconic crossover on Michael Jordan as a rookie in 1996.
While staying in line with 90s sneaker design trends, the Reebok Questions came in a classy white leather finish, while its minimalist aesthetic made it a versatile pair for both on-court and casual wear.
LeBron James
As one of nine rookies that debuted with a signature model, LeBron James entered the NBA with the Nike Air Zoom Generation, a pair that took design cues from the Hummer H2 that LeBron drove as a high school senior.
We’re now 22 models into the Nike LeBron line, but there’s no denying that the Air Zoom Generation’s classic, but still-modern-looking design, is holding up quite well.
Kyrie Irving
Well before linking up with ANTA, Kyrie Irving was one of Nike’s best-selling signature athletes, given the Nike Kyrie’s affordable price points, strong colorways, and consistently eye-catching designs.
Given this, we’d like to show some love to the Kyrie 1, which was released in 2014 as Kyrie continued his fast rise as an NBA star. After all, it was a standout model in terms of aesthetics, and perfectly complemented Kyrie’s appeal as this crafty ball-handling wizard.
Affordability was another plus for the Kyrie 1 during its initial release, coming in with a humble price point of $110 (PHP 5,795 in Philippine retailers). That, plus the number of memorable colorways released for the shoe, signaled the coming of a strong partnership between Kai and the Swoosh.
Anthony Edwards
Twenty-twenty-three saw several young stars debut their signature models, such as Jayson Tatum, Ja Morant, and even WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu. While those models were solid in their own right, one of, if not 2023’s best releases, was Anthony Edwards’ AE1 model with Adidas.
Featuring a honeycomb pattern on the base, the AE1 looks like a model straight out of the future, and is a design that can be considered as minimalist, but nonetheless experimental.
Many of Adidas’ signature basketball models have all been given that “futuristic” vibe, but it’s hard to deny that they outdid themselves with the AE1. Now, the question is whether or not they can produce a worthy successor in the AE2 down the line.
Banner images courtesy of NBA Kicks on X.