Rumors

Nick DePaula: First look on court at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s upcoming “Steel” SHAI 001s in molded metallic silver. SGA has debuted a new @Converse SHAI 001 colorway in each round of the last two Playoff runs.

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From The Logo with Jimmer Fredette: What was it like for Josh Giddey designing his own shoe with Puma? @jimmerfredette @joshgiddey @Spencer_Linton #nba #nbaplayoffs #sneakers #puma #australia

Twitter

As AJ Dybantsa is transitioning from college basketball to prepare for the NBA draft, he is also taking the next step in his endorsement deal with Nike. Dybantsa, who signed a NIL deal with Nike in January 2024, is extending that agreement as pro basketball contract, he told ESPN. "It means everything," Dybantsa said. "They've been with me since Day 1. It's been a great partnership and we're looking forward to keep building for the long term."

ESPN

Nick DePaula: VJ Edgecombe is debuting the “3SSB” Adidas AE 2 PEs tonight

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Nick DePaula: Paolo Banchero is launching a new Jordan Heir 2 PE inspired by his grandmother Sheila’s one-of-a-kind style on May 1st. Extended answer from Paolo on his beloved grandma and his annual themed Jordan sneaker tribute: “This is the ‘Oh Sheila’ and a shout to my grandma, my mom’s mom, and her fashion sense. I feel like I get a lot of it from her. My parents never really dressed super loud or fancy. But my grandma? Man! That’s why the shoe is so loud. You have leopard print, pink, purple, red, and green — cause that’s what her closet looked like.  She had a walk-in closet in her house. I used to go over and spend the night almost every weekend growing up. She had a nice walk-in closet with a jacuzzi. She was killing it! [laughs] I didn’t have that at home, so I’d always be wowed and check out her closet. I’d see all these leopard prints, zebra, red leather, and all these crazy clothes. I remember being so enamored by it as a kid. To this day, she wears crazy colors. Whenever my grandma sees me wear an outfit that’s a little louder, she’s always so proud and will say, ‘You look sharp! You look good!’”

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Nick DePaula: James Harden is debuting his “Northern Lights” Harden 10s tonight in Toronto for Game 3. Will drop exclusively in Canada in August.

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I want to ask about the athletes you work with. It seems to be mostly one huge star per league and sport. Whether it’s Josh Allen, Shohei Ohtani, Sydney McLaughlin, Cam Brink, Cooper Flagg, although, obviously, you have a few guys in the NBA. Why did you choose to go “uber-star” strategy per sport per league, instead of trying to flood the zone a little bit more, or even just several in each of those categories? New Balance executive Chris Davis: In a sense, you are correct that we do have a “fewer, bigger, better” approach, and it comes down to the idea of being the best, not the biggest, and that boutique sports marketing mindset. But in reality, you know, we’re fairly penetrated in every sport at all different levels of maturity. NIL has helped a tremendous amount in planning for our sports marketing roster.

New York Times

New Balance executive Chris Davis: If you look at the NBA, I’m pretty sure we have seven or eight All-Stars, starting with Kawhi (Leonard) to Zach LaVine, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Dejounte Murray, Darius Garland, and then enter Cooper Flagg. In this year’s draft, we have Caleb Wilson, who is a star freshman from North Carolina and will be a top-five pick. And then as a senior in high school, we have Jordan Smith Jr., who’s the top recruit in the country going into the NCAA; he’s committed to Arkansas. So that’s what the basketball landscape looks like.

New York Times

New Balance executive Chris Davis: With baseball, it’s not too dissimilar at the top of the pyramid. We have individuals like Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor, but we’re about to announce the next generation of great signings that we have this upcoming year on MLB rosters, and we have a number of the top prospects in Triple A. So it looks like all these athletes are coming out of nowhere to be the face of the brand for New Balance, but in reality, we have top individuals in every age group who are ascending to stardom, who haven’t necessarily attained those heights yet.

New York Times

Nick DePaula: Stephen Curry laces up the “snakeskin” Kobe 4s again tonight in LA. : @SooWavy11 / http://instagram.com/visualsbyave

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Nick DePaula: Franz Wagner is debuting his own Magic-themed PE of the Adidas Dame X tonight

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Nick DePaula: Stephen Curry arrives in LA tonight in the UNDFTD Air Jordan 4 : http://instagram.com/alexkey

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Nick DePaula: Tyrese Maxey is debuting his first signature shoe tonight — the New Balance Maxey v1.

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kixstats.com: NBA regular season has come to an end! Take a look at TOP 10 kicks by minutes played during NBA regular season! What was the biggest surprise? 👀🔥

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