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Basketball and sneaker culture go hand in hand. Ever since Nike signed a rookie out of North Carolina to a $2.5 million endorsement contract back in 1984, shoes have been a primary form of expression for basketball fans and players alike. The on-court footwear choices reflect the players’ personal styles, personalities, and, with signature brand shoes, their own fandoms. There is one icon that NBA players choose to rep way, way more than any other: the late, great Kobe Bean Bryant. Most of the current crop of NBA players grew up on Kobe, watching him win title after title during their formative basketball years. He is a lot of players' favorite player. Whether out of personal fandom or just because they like the style, over 130 different players chose to wear Kobes as their primary shoe last season, according to data from NBAShoesDB.com.
Among the players donning Kobes, most opted for the Kobe 6. Designed by Eric Avar, the model first debuted in 2010 and turned heads with its upper texture that mimicked snakeskin, an ode to Kobe’s Black Mamba nickname.
The KD 17s, Book 1s, and Sabrina 2s were the next most popular models, which means two of the top four signature athletes (Kobe and Sabrina Ionescu) currently don't play in the NBA, and the other two (Kevin Durant and Devin Booker) were both on the Phoenix Suns last season. After Sabrina, there is a dropoff to LeBron James, who has released dozens of signature models over his 20-year career, and James Harden’s out-of-this-world designs. Harden (adidas) is the first non-Nike athlete on the list, which might tell you something about Nike’s continued dominance in the basketball shoe market.
Nick DePaula: Nike is launching the “Uncharted” LeBron 23 ahead of @KingJames’ 23rd NBA season — celebrating his milestone of becoming the first player to score more than 40,000 points. Shoe features bold crown design as key storytelling of “Forever King” year-long campaign. pic.x.com/An74Sf1afC
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Tomer Azarly: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held a camp in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario in Canada this past weekend. Every camper received a solo photo with SGA and the Larry O'Brien trophy. There were also scrimmages and competitions held throughout the camp, where winners were awarded pairs of his new signature shoe with Converse, the SHAI 001's Butter. Shai got the last laugh with an alley-pop dunk to himself off the backboard. SGA and Converse are set to officially launch the SHAI 001's this Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held a camp in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario in Canada this past weekend.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 3, 2025
Every camper received a solo photo with SGA and the Larry O'Brien trophy.
There were also scrimmages and competitions held throughout the camp, where winners were awarded pairs… pic.twitter.com/BjrSxZufaS
Caitlin Clark: Tune in👀 Logo collection coming soon. Signature product dropping 2026.
Tune in👀
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) August 25, 2025
Logo collection coming soon. Signature product dropping 2026. pic.twitter.com/56zcH9WsPg
Anthony Edwards is making sure kids in Houston have shoe game going into the 2025-26 school year ... by donating a bunch of his signature adidas sneakers!! The NBA superstar sponsored Bleau Print Hospitality's "Walking In The Right Path Shoe Giveaway" event ... which took place at the Atlas Ultra Lounge in H-Town. The CEO and founder, Molo, shared the donation on Instagram ... saying Edwards had over 150 pairs of his Adidas AE 1 sneakers delivered to their charity.
Nick DePaula: FIRST LOOK: The Reebok Angel Reese 1 in the “Receipts Ready” colorway. Dropping on Sept 18th. "This isn't just a shoe, it's my style, my story, and my stamp on the game," says @Reese10Angel pic.x.com/M8W8255Wrj
FIRST LOOK: The Reebok Angel Reese 1 in the “Receipts Ready” colorway.
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 14, 2025
Dropping on Sept 18th.
"This isn't just a shoe, it's my style, my story, and my stamp on the game," says @Reese10Angel pic.twitter.com/M8W8255Wrj
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James Harden’s court unveiled in China
James Harden saw some of the NBA's global impact firsthand recently. On Monday, during the LA Clippers guard's UNO Tour with Adidas, an outdoor basketball court in Guangzhou, China, featuring a larger-than-life mural of Harden was revealed. According to the Clippers, designer Yin chose the 2025 UNO Tour imagery for the court design, with the tour slogan "Under No One" displayed on one sideline. The slogan also is a nod to Harden's jersey number (1). The court was unveiled in the rain, and Harden looked puzzled as officials removed the tarp that covered it. He then pumped his fists in joy.
"Thank you guys. I know it's rain, you guys here supporting me, I love you so much," Harden told the hundreds in attendance for the reveal. Days earlier, thousands of people packed into a Guangzhou City mall to see Harden, who autographed his signature Adidas sneakers along with jerseys. "You guys never cease to amaze me, every time feels like the first time ... I just hope you know the love is reciprocated," Harden wrote in a social media post.
Nice Kicks: adidas surprised James Harden with his own basketball court in China on his UNO Tour 🔥
Nick DePaula: OFFICIAL LOOK: LaMelo Ball’s 5th @PumaHoops signature shoe — the MB.05 Brand says design is “inspired by his rockstar status on and off the court,” features phrases & graphics from his tattoos and launches on August 29th. pic.x.com/z7CwCzjT9W
OFFICIAL LOOK: LaMelo Ball’s 5th @PumaHoops signature shoe — the MB.05
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) August 4, 2025
Brand says design is “inspired by his rockstar status on and off the court,” features phrases & graphics from his tattoos and launches on August 29th. pic.twitter.com/z7CwCzjT9W
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