The signature basketball shoe market has never been so compelling (and complex). In 2024, we wondered if the excitement was officially back, as new lines from young stars like Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker were gaining momentum quickly. Now it’s been made clear that this surge in interest was no flash in the pan, thanks to seven new signature athletes and strong, continued performance from the lines of industry stalwarts.
This new crop of talent is headlined by NBA and WNBA superstars alike, with MVP-caliber talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and A’ja Wilson making the most noise in the past year. We’ve also seen players bet big on themselves, with Jaylen Brown turning down tens of millions of dollars in endorsement deals to launch a shoe under his own brand. Hit debuts from Austin Reaves, Ja Morant, Kyrie Irving, and Sabrina Ionescu have all carried over their initial success to sequel shoes as well. Of course there are veterans like Stephen Curry and LeBron James who continue to build out their footwear empires too.
For the third year in a row, we’ve compiled a complete list of every active NBA and WNBA player who has released a signature shoe, limiting the list to shoes from 2024 onwards. While three lines are no longer listed — Gordon Hayward retired, Trae Young left adidas for Jordan Brand, and CJ McCollum, while still playing in his Li-Ning CJ3, has not released a shoe for over a year and a half — the aforementioned newcomers have catapulted the total amount of signature shoes to a record 32. With such a diverse range, there’s something special out there for everyone.
Enjoy the complete breakdown below and let us know which models have stood out to you this year.
Aaron Gordon: 361 AG 5
Aaron Gordon remains a crucial component of both the Denver Nuggets and 361 Degrees’ signature roster. The Chinese brand’s longest-running line took a bold step forward this season with the 361 AG 5 — offering two variations of the shoe, one with two straps at the top and bottom of the lacing system and another without this detail. Both takes on the shoe sport an ENRG-X midsole, SOAR PLATE, and CQTEXTREM3 padding at the heel, emphasizing Gordon’s prowess in the paint.
A’ja Wilson: Nike A’One
A’ja Wilson is one of seven hoopers to receive a new signature shoe line in the past year. The three-time WNBA MVP did not have the opportunity to wear her new Nike A’One during the 2024 season. However, the forthcoming launch of the model coincides with the start of the season to come. Its sleek upper is backed by a court-ready sole unit that features Cushlon 3.0 foam. Initial colorways feature gradients on the layered upper, highlighting the shoe’s intricate structure.
Andrew Wiggins: Peak AW3
Trades shook up the NBA this season, with Andrew Wiggins playing a role in one of the league’s biggest deals, a move that saw the veteran forward relocate from the Golden State Warriors to the Miami Heat. While he changed uniforms, he didn’t switch shoes as he continued to suit up in his new Peak AW3. The low-cut sneaker features a unique interchangeable structure that allows for the midsole to be modified to best suit the wearer.
Anthony Edwards: adidas AE1 Low
When Anthony Edwards and adidas Basketball first presented the AE1 at the end of 2023, it was clear that they had a hit on their hands, thanks to a combo of Edwards’ irrepressable personality, some clever marketing, and, of course, the AE1’s sharp look, provided by a ventilated TPU upper. Rather than rush out a sequel, the AE1 has continued to release new colorways, as well as a new low-top version of the shoe that Edwards now wears on the court. A first look at his next model was teased briefly during an earnings call in March, so it’s only a matter of time until we find out whether the two can keep this strong momentum building.
Austin Reaves: Rigorer AR2
It’s been over two years since word of Austin Reaves receiving a signature shoe from Rigorer took the market by surprise. At the time, Reaves was a key bench player in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers — but since then, he’s blossomed into a near All-Star, racking up over 20 points per game this season and firmly entrenching himself in the Lake Show’s starting lineup. Just like the man it was made for, the Rigorer AR2 has been lauded for its performance, sporting a Showtime Foam Tech midsole, full-length anti-torsion TPU plate, and lateral TPU panels to ensure Reaves can fly across the court with ease.
Brandin Podziemski: Rigorer BP1
Rigorer is looking to carry over the success it has had with Reaves by making Brandin Podziemski the brand’s second signature athlete. Podziemski just completed his second season with the Golden State Warriors, serving as a key rotational player. His Rigorer BP1 silhouette just launched with a Flywire mesh upper, Showtime Foam, and a TPU plate that nods to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Breanna Stewart: PUMA Stewie 4
Breanna Stewart is one of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time. Her trophy room features multiple WNBA Championships, MVP awards, and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA. She also has the longest-running signature shoe line in the WNBA, having just introduced the PUMA Stewie 4 earlier this month. Backed by a Profoam midsole and PWRTAPE-reinforced upper, the Stewie 4 is set to allow Stewart to continue to perform at the highest level this upcoming season.
Damian Lillard: adidas Dame 9
After a momentary pause in Damian Lillard’s signature shoe line — one that saw them only drop a budget model last year — adidas Basketball made a pivot with the Dame 9, which took on adidas Basketball’s futuristic design language. Kicking things off with a BAPE collaboration, the shoe brought new life to Lillard’s adidas partnership, culminating in a lifetime contract extension. After inking the deal, the upcoming Dame X was revealed, offering another modern build.
De’Aaron Fox: Under Armour Curry Fox 1
Under Armour continued to build out Stephen Curry’s Curry Brand by adding a new signature shoe into the mix with De’Aaron Fox bringing forth the Curry Fox 1. The lightweight low-top comes with its very own fox-shaped midfoot strap, providing lockdown for Fox as he dashes across the court. It’s also backed by an internal midfoot shank and UA Flow foam — offering cushioning and a durable outsole.
Devin Booker: Nike Book 1
Devin Booker and Nike Basketball have been making headlines with the Nike Book 1 for over a year and a half. The shoe has received an unprecedented amount of colorways and will finally see its first collaboration drop next week by way of a co-created effort with Chevrolet. Its build, which is inspired by the Air Jordan 1, Air Force 1, and Blazer, balances performance specifications with a stylish flair. While we’ve yet to learn more about what’s next for the duo, a Book 2 is all but a lock to be dropping next season.
Donovan Mitchell: adidas D.O.N. Issue #6
Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to another dominant season and is poised to make a deep postseason run, doing so with his adidas D.O.N. Issue #6 supporting him each step of the way. Energy return is a focal point of the shoe with Lightstrike at the shoe’s heel and Lightstrike Pro at the forefoot. As for the upper, it dons a breathable mesh that covers the anatomically shaped design lines. Similar to Lillard’s line, we’ve already received a preview of the adidas D.O.N. Issue #7, which joins its contemporaries in favoring a sleek, progressive structure.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nike Giannis Freak 6
Another star who dropped his sixth signature shoe for this season is Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Nike Giannis Freak 6, rebranding the line from “Zoom Freak” to “Giannis Freak.” The Greek superstar’s latest model features Cushlon 2.0 foam, joined by an Air Zoom unit located at the forefoot, and is backed by a light monomesh upper. We’ve also seen what’s next from him and the Swoosh as he took to Instagram to reveal the Giannis Freak 7, bringing back flipped Swooshes to a wavy upper.
Ja Morant: Nike Ja 2
When it came time for Ja Morant and Nike Basketball to design a successor to the popular Nike Ja 1, neither party felt trepidation about the expectations. Rather, the two honed in on two key elements with the Nike Ja 2 to support Morant’s high-flying theatrics: control and bounce. To accomplish this, a new molded midfoot for lockdown was created, combining the same recipe of Cushlon foam and a forefoot Air Zoom unit that players appreciated in its predecessor.
James Harden: adidas Harden Vol. 9
James Harden’s signature line is where adidas Basketball’s new design language was first brought to market: futuristic, sleek silhouettes with aggressive lines and molded uppers. Now, two shoes later, the adidas Harden Vol. 9 stays true to this movement. Grid-mesh ventilation is situated between streamlined overlays, remixing the aerodynamic shape of its precursor. Meanwhile, the sole unit features “Lightboost” — a fusion of Lightstrike and BOOST technologies. As Harden himself stated, you can “look fly at dinner or rock them on the court and drop 40.”
Jaylen Brown: 741 Performance Rover
Hot off of winning the NBA Finals, as well as the Finals MVP award, Jaylen Brown launched not only his first signature shoe, but his own performance brand in the process. In doing so, he turned down tens of millions of dollars in endorsement deals from sportswear labels, opting to operate with complete creative control instead. The 741 Performance Rover is built with specifcations designed to deliver. A slender inner shoe, secured by a dynamic lacing system, is shrouded by a stretch cover featuring an engineered knit vent and abrasion-resistant yarn. Each pair is also backed by an EVA midsole, high-density flexible film lasting board, and the brand’s proprietary translucent rubber outsole.
Jayson Tatum: Jordan Tatum 3
Brown’s fellow Celtics star, Jayson Tatum, saw the introduction of his third Jordan Brand model take place ahead of the past season, bringing forth the Jordan Tatum 3. The remodeled upper accounted for data delivered from Nike Sport Research Lab, resulting in material layering that maximizes three key factors: power, comfort, and support. As for the sole, a Zoom Air insert and Cushlon 3.0 foam support lateral movement.
Jimmy Butler: Li-Ning JB3
Jimmy Butler had a dramatic season, from falling out with the Miami Heat and forcing a trade to finding a second stride with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. He also introduced a new entry in his signature shoe line with Li-Ning, releasing the JB3. The model serves as the brand’s premium basketball shoe, combining features such as a carbon fiber spring plate and full-length Li-Ning Boom foam to deliver a dynamic experience.
Kawhi Leonard: New Balance KAWHI IV
Last year’s round-up included an unreleased model from Kawhi Leonard and New Balance, which we presumed was the Kawhi IV. Since then, the shoe has officially launched under this name, continuing his signature line. The silhouette, which Leonard has worn throughout the season, features FuelCell cushioning alongside Energy Arc technology, pairing carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids.
Kevin Durant: Nike KD 18
With the second-longest-running signature shoe line among active hoopers, Kevin Durant has not only been releasing new models but also retroing his older designs like the KD 4. The Slim Reaper quietly debuted his Nike KD 18 this season and while the Swoosh has not formally introduced the model, we know it features both a large Air Zoom unit at the forefoot and Nike Air cushioning elsewhere. A new TPU cage also stretches over the mesh upper, remixing the Air Max Plus-inspired look of its predecessor.
Klay Thompson: ANTA KT 10
It’s been a decade since Klay Thompson and ANTA debuted their collaborative footwear franchise. In celebration of this, the ANTA KT 10 is their most cutting-edge shoe to date. The sharpshooter has worn the shoe throughout his first season with the Dallas Mavericks, leveraging its enhanced wrap upper and multidirectional non-slip outsole grip to shoot just under 40% from three-point range this season.
Kyrie Irving: ANTA KAI 2
Kyrie Irving’s season came to a tragic ending this year as he suffered an ACL injury that has him out until at least 2026, according to league reports. Before his untimely affliction, Irving and ANTA dropped the ANTA KAI 2. The bold model channels Irving’s creativity with its reinterpreted ANTA branding and intricate heel design. Irving also worked closely with designers to integrate personal symbolism for each colorway.
LaMelo Ball: PUMA MB.04
Is there anyone in the NBA who brings as much flair as LaMelo Ball? The 23-year-old is unapologetically himself, expressing this through both his highlight-generating play, as well as his signature shoe line with PUMA Hoops. None of his kicks have shied away from his boldness, sporting motifs like his “1of1” declaration and “Not From Here” motto as well as what may be the wildest colorways in the world of basketball shoes today. The PUMA MB.04 built upon this by covering itself in a flurry of in-your-face designs, and has recently been converted into a low-top as well.
LeBron James: Nike LeBron 22
For his 22nd season in the NBA, LeBron James dropped his 22nd signature shoe. Despite turning 40 this season, the veteran has maintained his superstar status, leading the Los Angeles Lakers — alongside the newly added Luka Dončić — to a third-place finish in the fiercely competitive Western Conference. The Nike LeBron 22 has guided him throughout, offering another low-cut structure that sees Cushlon 2.0 foam and Zoom technology lift him to new heights.
Luka Dončić: Jordan Luka 4
The Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić — then a 25-year-old with one of the brightest futures in the NBA — to the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s been months since the shocking deal suddenly took place, and NBA fans are are still struggling to accept that it happened. Jordan Brand made the most of this unprecedented move by having Dončić suit up in the new Jordan Luka 4 for his first game against his former team. The two then went on to drop the sneaker alongside a new outdoor-oriented model — the Jordan Luka .77 — with his signature IsoPlate upgraded, a Zoom Air unit included in one of his shoes for the first time ever, and Cushlon 3.0 foam, preparing Dončić to attempt a deep run this postseason.
Nikola Jokić: 361 Joker 1
It’s hard to believe that it took years for the best basketball player in the world to receive his own signature shoe, yet this was the case for Nikola Jokić, who left Nike to join 361 Degrees in late 2023. He’s since gone on to drop the 361 Joker 1, which features a cushioned Qu!kCQTECH midsole, arch-stabilizing torsion plate, and double-lock TPU system.
Sabrina Ionescu: Nike Sabrina 2
Sabrina Ionescu brought home her first WNBA trophy last year, playing a key role in leading the New York Liberty to a victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals. Her successful season was supported by the Nike Sabrina 2, an even lighter take on her popular debut model. The silhouette was the first to bring Cushlon 3.0 foam to a Nike Basketball sneaker and also placed a Zoom Air unit at the forefoot, while the upper is secured by a dynamic internal midfoot containment system that adapts with each step.
Scoot Henderson: PUMA Scoot Zeros II
Scoot Henderson joined an elite class of hoopers when he received his first signature shoe as a rookie in the 2023-24 season. PUMA Hoops bet big on the now 21-year-old and after a slow start — at least relative to the lofty expectations placed on him — he started to build serious momentum this year. The PUMA Scoot Zeros II have been his choice all season long, standing out with its eye-catching Formstrip and wings.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Converse SHAI 001
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the team to beat this postseason. MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has not only led the team to the league’s best record but has taken over as the face of Converse Hoops as well. His debut design, the Converse SHAI 001, turned heads at NBA All-Star Weekend thanks to its stylish flair, which complements the fashion-forward fits he’s become known for in recent years. A puffed upper features a winged shroud that covers an inner bootie and a ghillie lacing system, offering three ways to wear the shoe thanks to its versatile zip options. While it will remain unreleased until the second half of the year, you’ll be able to see the shoe plenty this postseason as SGA chases his first ring.
Spencer Dinwiddie: 361 DVD 3
Spencer Dinwiddie has played for four different teams since 2023, however, he’s remained loyal to one brand. The veteran guard is one of three active signature athletes for 361 Degrees, having most recently released his 361 DVD 3. This performance-driven design features dual TPU plates that team up with Qu!kCQTECH cushioning for sharp cuts and constant energy return.
Stephen Curry: Under Armour Curry 12
The 2024 Summer Olympics captivated the world as the most talented athletes on Earth all came together in Paris to demonstrate their greatness. On the basketball side of things, Stephen Curry put together an all-time finish in the Gold Medal Game, sinking four crucial three-pointers in the final three minutes of Team USA’s championship game against France to earn his first gold medal. He did so while wearing his newly unveiled Under Armour Curry 12, making great use of its dual-density UA Flow cushioning, 3D-molded TPU heel counter, and multi-segment forefoot plate as he reminded the world that he’s the best shooter of all time.
Sydney Colson: Creative Control Sydney Colson 1
Two-time WNBA champion Sydney Colson is not only set to bring her veteran presence to the Indiana Fever this season, she’s also dropping her first signature shoe. The 35-year-old guard has joined forces with Creative Control to prepare the Sydney Colson 1, becoming the brand’s first signature athlete. Her debut model channels her bubbly personality — one that has garnered her a strong following in the league — as it sports a mesh upper backed by a vibrant base.
Zion Williamson: Jordan Zion 4
Zion Williamson rounds out the lengthy lineup once again this year. The powerhouse big man has continued to struggle with injuries that limited him to a mere 30 games played during the 2024-25 season, however, it hasn’t slowed down his output with Jordan Brand. He kicked off the year by introducing the Jordan Zion 4, another low-profile sneaker backed by the same Cushlon 3.0 drop-in midsole system featured in its predecessor, as well as a full-length parabolic Air Zoom strobel and computationally-designed outsole.
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