Kyrie Irving’s new shoe line with ANTA is making waves, and he’s bringing some NBA friends along for the ride.
The Mavericks guard, who serves as ANTA’s Chief Creative Officer, just unveiled a fresh signature collection that won’t break the bank. At just $100 a pair, the new KAI 1 Team Shoe is aimed at making premium basketball footwear more accessible.
Irving’s brought three NBA stars on board to showcase the shoes: Caris LeVert of the Cavaliers, Daniel Gafford from the Mavericks, and the Clippers’ Derrick Jones Jr.
“These guys are my brothers, players I’ve shared the journey with,” Irving said. “Together, we aim to inspire the future of basketball and create a legacy that resonates globally.”
The KAI collection isn’t just about flashy designs. Irving and his team put in serious work to make sure these shoes deliver where it counts.
“We spent countless hours studying AAU and streetball players to create a shoe that meets their needs while reflecting my storytelling and style,” he explained. “The KAI 1 Team Shoe is not just for me – it’s for the everyday player striving to create their own story.”
This isn’t Irving’s first creative move with ANTA. Last year, he made history by bringing his dad, Drederick Irving, into the mix – making him the first father ever to have his own shoe line as part of a brand deal.
The ANTA partnership came after Irving’s controversial split with Nike. Following his posting of what many considered antisemitic content on social media, Nike ended their relationship. But ANTA stepped in with an even better offer – a five-year deal worth more than the $11 million annually he was making with Nike.
The new shoes will be hitting courts soon, with all three NBA ambassadors set to wear them during games. Multiple colorways are planned for release, giving players plenty of options to express their style.
