With the beginning of a 2025 NBA season this week, it’s as soon as once more time to check out which participant has the very best present signature sneaker.
There are gamers who shall be sporting their first signature shoe this season, like reigning Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Converse Shai 001, to gamers like LeBron James, who will lace up his twenty third signature mannequin with Nike. Several WNBA gamers and their sneakers are additionally being featured right here, together with A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Angel Reese.
It’s price mentioning that there have been a number of elements we thought-about, which included the general design of the shoe, the storytelling from the manufacturers, and any notable on-court moments from gamers within the sneakers. Without additional ado, right here’s our rating of the very best signature basketball sneakers of 2025.
Nike LeBron 23: Complete Guide to All 23 Colorways
Every Air Jordan From 1 to 40, Ranked
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Price: $135
I like Luka far more than I like his sneakers. I feel most individuals really feel that manner. And that’s a difficulty. Jordan Brand’s business when Luka was traded to the Lakers, with George Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” is about as Matt Welty-core as you’ll get. His two-toned sneakers for NY vs NY had been cool, too. And it was a cool activation that they solely launched at a Foot Locker close to Rucker Park. Nike and Jordan simply don’t do sufficient with Luka although, and that should change. —Matt Welty
Release Date: Oct. 10, 2025
Price: $130
Jayson Tatum might have missed the primary eight video games of his school profession as a result of a foot harm, however he nonetheless very famously went to Duke. It’s an affiliation he’s been tied to all through his NBA profession. That stated, it’s exhausting to think about how the launch colorway of the Jordan Tatum 4 ended up trying a lot like an Ohio State participant unique. From the scarlet and gray colorway (on this case representing Tatum’s hometown of St. Louis) to the massive O on the heel (his uniform quantity moderately than the letter), this seems like a shoe the Buckeyes could possibly be sporting for his or her annual early NCAA match exit.
Confusion apart, the sneaker itself is strong. The aesthetic design makes use of the flowing natural shapes that the road has develop into recognized for, and provides in a tech package deal that features a Cushion 3.0 midsole with forefoot Zoom Air, together with a midfoot stability shank. It’s simply unlucky that we would not get to see it on Tatum’s ft a lot, with him presumably being out for many, if not all, of the upcoming season. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Price: $120
Hate it or like it, Angel Reese is aware of how one can make a headline. Being an LSU alum with Shaq now main Reebok, the partnership simply made sense. The Angel Reese 1 options an all-mesh design with a TPU exoskeleton that offers it construction. Her signature brand provides extra to the shoe’s persona, an “A” and “R” motif wrapped right into a halo. One of my private favorites leans into her “Me-bounds,” turning criticism right into a colorway. Then seeing Wale rocking them with slouch socks? The excellent co-sign. Overall, the shoe is one to maintain on the radar—I feel Reebok hoops bought one. However, it’s exhausting to present a full efficiency overview, as a result of all three colorways bought out immediately, which is an effective signal for the longer term. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2025
Price: $125
There’s at all times a bit of added strain for the follow-up to a very good first signature shoe, and Kyrie Irving’s Anta Kai 2 definitely answered the bell. In phrases of design, the Kai 2 is basically a extra streamlined model of its predecessor. Irving’s signature Native American aesthetic is as soon as once more captured in his newest shoe by way of the varied symbols and colour schemes. We even have to present credit score to Irving for being the catalyst for bringing Anta to the US market. —Victor Deng
Release Date: Sept. 26, 2025
Price: $130
You’d be exhausting pressed to discover a signature sneaker second and debut higher than that of the Puma Hali 1. I don’t care if this sneaker completely stunk—for those who hit a sport winner in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the primary time you put on your first-ever signature shoe in an NBA sport, it’s going to catch eyes. But fortunate for Tyrese Haliburton, his shoe doesn’t stink—it’s truly fairly good. Last Summer, Puma introduced the signing of Salehe Bembury to assist with its Hoops division, stating that he’d be designing a model new signature shoe for an athlete that hadn’t been signed but. Soon after it turned clear Salehe can be designing the debut signature shoe for Haliburton. The Hali 1 is unmistakably Salehe, carrying his signature vibrant aesthetic and determining a method to show an enormous Puma brand with out making it offensive. An achilles harm soured the debut of the Hali 1, and of course led to numerous memes, nevertheless it was a powerful debut for the brand new Puma Hoops signature, and it is going to be intriguing to see it on the ft of different hoopers this coming season. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: January 2026
Price: TBD
The Nike Book 1 bought rather a lot of unwarranted hate in my view. It was the right shoe for Devin Booker. It was modern, kinda seemed like a Blazer, kinda seemed like a Chuck, it match effectively along with his cool man aesthetic. Enter the Nike Book 2. It debuted actually yesterday, so we do not have a ton to go on right here, however to me it is a clear enchancment on his first shoe. It borrows the higher from the legendary Spiridon and the outsole sample from the enduring Air Force 1. Throughout Book’s transient run as a signature Nike athlete, he is continued to pay homage to the model’s previous with completely different colorways, so it was a pure development to have it a component of the shoe’s construction this time round. Whether or not you just like the Book 2, one factor is for sure, it is unmistakably Devin Booker, and that has to rely for one thing. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Price: $170
After a number of mundane fashions in latest outings, Kevin Durant has himself a success along with his present Nike KD 18.
Longtime sneaker followers will immediately acknowledge that the higher takes inspiration from the traditional Terra Humara path runner, particularly with the midfoot cage designed to assist KD transfer across the court docket comfortably in his nineteenth season.
Not solely is that this one of KD’s finest signature sneakers in a very long time, however the newest mannequin additionally has one of the very best colorways his line has ever seen, with the “Slim Reaper” pair designed for Halloween. —Victor Deng
Release Date: May 2025
Price: $115
Winning a WNBA title and MVP in your debut signature shoe is one method to advertise with out an advert. This yr was all about A’ja Wilson—and her shoe has rapidly develop into a fan favourite. Known for its consolation, it options Cushlon ST2 foam and delicate particulars impressed by her private mantras and household. Her summary brand is refreshing to see, versus different extra apparent examples. And by way of her promos, she’s made it clear her focus is on inspiring the following technology. A’ja delivered on the court docket and gave followers one thing to take residence with them. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Price: $135
The Nike Sabrina 3 had some fairly lofty sneakers to fill. Last NBA season (sure NBA, not WNBA), the Sabrina 2 was essentially the most worn sneaker on an NBA court docket that wasn’t a Kobe sneaker. An argument can definitely be made that that had rather a lot to do with the truth that it seemed similar to a Kobe. But that’s a sensible components for Ionescu’s signature collection. The WNBA Champ had a private relationship with Bryant and infrequently calls him one of her heroes. The 3 falls proper consistent with the design ethos of the Sabrina 1 and a couple of—on the finish of the day they’re completely modern and easy sneakers to hoop in. Senior Footwear Designer Ben Nethongkone has actually hit his stride with the Swoosh at this level, persevering with to churn out sturdy merchandise throughout his tenure as Nike’s main basketball footwear designer. Sabrina 3 is not any completely different. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Price: $115
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature Nike line remains to be younger compared to the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, however within the seven seasons since its introduction, it’s been a constant efficiency alternative and a comparatively good worth (particularly on sale). Sure, some have been higher than others, however taken as a complete, it’s been a worthy addition to Nike’s signature archive.
Following a number of more-traditional designs, the Nike Freak 7 takes dangers akin to the sooner days of the road. What it lacks on the tech entrance (goodbye Zoom Air, good day Cushion 3.0) it makes up for in aesthetics, with a flowing higher design that’s solely enhanced by the return of the reverse Swoosh. The discount in tech comes together with a value reduce as effectively, with the newest mannequin coming in $25 lower than the 6 at retail—a welcome instance of the financial savings truly being handed alongside to the patron. The greatest query is which staff Giannis shall be sporting them for by the top of the season. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2025
Price: $160
It solely took 9 tries, however Adidas lastly landed a success for James Harden and his signature line. In the near-decade that preceded it, entries had been largely “fine”—ok, however they struggled to make any sort of lasting impression. Go forward, simply attempt to image the Adidas Harden Vol. 5 with out Googling it.
The Vol. 9, nevertheless, constructed on the promise of the Vol. 8, which took the road in a brand new route however didn’t fairly really feel completed. The 9 largely retained the general form of its predecessor, however added a way more refined stage of detailing that gave the shoe a really trendy really feel, and is consistent with the route Adidas hoops seems headed in.
It’s a bit ironic that the mannequin’s signature second got here on the ft of Jalen Williams and his Pinky And The Brain-themed PEs, however a win is a win—it’s higher to have some defining second than none, particularly when the mannequin is that this sturdy. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2025
Price: $130
We gotta begin this by addressing the elephant within the room, the Converse Shai 001 reminds rather a lot of individuals of the Reebok Answer 4. And that’s okay. It encompasses a zipper within the entrance and a mix of neoprene and a molded artificial higher. The monochromatic strategy and SGA’s dedication to his household give the minimalist design depth. While it sparks nostalgia, it finally brings one thing new for this technology.
The Converse Shai 001 takes an on-court efficiency and off-court type strategy, which is strictly the place trendy basketball sneakers should be (and are heading in direction of). Shai is the right advocate for this motion. He debuted the shoe throughout All-Star Weekend, wore it within the NBA Finals, and styled it in numerous methods in pregame tunnels, which is one hell of a method to present versatility.
It’s a shoe that’s gained championships, appeared in numerous Instagram feeds, and carried tales from his household, nevertheless it’s additionally polarizing. Some individuals can’t get previous the design, whereas others simply can’t get their arms on a pair.
Either manner, the Shai 001 stands by itself. It performs decently, seems good with a peaceful match, and completely captures Shai’s vibe—assured but nonchalant. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: August 2025
Price: $125
Coming off his final two sneakers, the Nike Ja 3 appears like an actual shift. This one has depth—if it had been a rap verse, it’d be full of double entendres and punchlines. The shoe prominently shows Ja’s first title made up of a Swoosh getting used because the “J,” whereas claw marks carve by way of a collection of mini-Ja logos to create an “A.” Every half is a intelligent contact that offers the shoe its identification.
I actually don’t assume the Ja 3 has a foul colorway. The design permits the shoe to be a chameleon—there are countless choices relating to colour combos. Putting it on Nike By You was a sensible transfer on Nike’s finish, and yeah, I did partake.
Performance-wise, it backs up its design: it has nice traction and a full-length ZoomX setup. On paper, it’s practically an ideal basketball sneaker. However, it’s not talked about as one of the sneakers of the yr and possibly that’ll change—however that’ll rely on what Ja Morant does this season. Good luck to him. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: Oct. 3, 2025
Price: $210
The Nike LeBron 23 is all about storytelling. 23 years. 23 seasons. 23 signature sneakers. In 2025, LeBron James joined Michael Jordan as the one athlete in historical past with 23 signature sneakers, a feat not prone to be matched any time quickly—if ever. Design smart, the newest iteration of the LeBron line encompasses a molded midfoot crown that James spoke extremely of in an unique interview with Complex. “For me to have the opportunity to use a silhouette and a symbol that also has a functional piece on a sneaker—not just for show, but actually makes sense to our storytelling—that’s just super dope.” The outsole design additionally comes collectively to create the silhouette of the quantity 23.
The sneaker’s design is one factor, however for me it’s the packaging, the colorway storytelling, and the accompanying attire that actually stands out right here. When creating the 23, designers Ross Klein and Jarrett Mann got down to forge a journey that begins with LeBron’s time in highschool, takes us to his first stint in Cleveland, his years in Miami, his return to the Cavaliers, and at last his present run in Los Angeles. There are 23 colorways releasing of the shoe, every accompanied by a t-shirt designed to additional inform the story of that cease alongside the king’s journey.
There has been no indication of James hanging up his crown after this season, but when it had been to be his closing yr, the 23 is proving to be a more-than-suitable sneaker sendoff. — Ben Felderstein
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2025
Price: $130
Everyone hated this shoe, till they didn’t anymore. The Adidas AE1 left large sneakers to fill. It was our Sneaker of the Year in 2024. It might have tailed off a bit since, however the advertisements, the advertising and marketing, and Anthony Edwards himself that made us all imagine within the shoe—Believe That. So when an Adidas exec gave me an early take a look at the model’s 2025 basketball line on the high of the yr, the query of what Adidas would do with the AE 2 was the most important unknown. But once I first noticed the shoe, it checked out. It was good. I don’t know if it was nearly as good because the AE1. But it was passable.
Adidas unintentionally leaked the shoe in presentation this yr and other people had been disillusioned it appeared. Somehow Adidas did every thing mistaken with the AE2. They wanted to scrap the shoe. They had been going to destroy Anthony Edwards. This was the response off simply seeing the toe of the shoe. But now we’ve all seen the sneaker. And individuals like it. It’s subsequent iteration of the AE 1, and it carries the torch simply high quality. It’s nonetheless the primary signature basketball sneaker within the NBA proper now. —Matt Welty