Adidas has signed girls’ high school basketball phenom Kaleena Smith to a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal. The hooper is the first signing with WNBA icon Candace Parker as the president of Adidas Women’s Basketball.

“When I started in my role, I wanted to take an innovative approach in how we connect with the best players in the game and empower them in their pursuit of excellence on and off the court,” said Parker said in a statement. “Signing Kaleena as our first high school NIL women’s basketball athlete is a pivotal moment for us as we lead in championing women’s sports and building greater access to and representation in the game that we all love.”

Though Smith is just a sophomore at Ontario Christian High School in California, she has racked up several accolades. For instance, she is a member of the 2024 USA Women’s U17 National Team and was named the 2023-2024 Girls Basketball MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year.

Adidas confirmed Smith will represent the brand on court during all her games, including those with Ontario Christian High School. Also, Adidas stated it is sponsoring her high school team, and the athlete’s AAU team will join the 3SSB Circuit as part of the partnership.

“I embrace any opportunity to challenge myself and improve my game, and I believe that’s what has fostered the confidence and skill I have on the court,” Smith said in a statement. “I’m blessed to be part of something Candace is creating, and to get to do that with a brand like Adidas who is taking a different approach to play a role to help grow the game for players like me. Plus, I’m really excited to get to rock the Harden sneakers this season.”

Smith is now part of Adidas’ athlete roster that is replete with women’s basketball talent, including WNBA champions Betnijah Laney, Alysha Clark, Nneka Ogwumike, Chelsea Gray and Kahleah Copper, among others.

“When I think about the future of women’s basketball, it’s clear it’s in good hands with hoopers like Kaleena,” Parker said in a statement. “Not only is she a tenacious competitor on the court, she’s also someone who understands what’s required off it and is committed to putting in the work. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome her to the sisterhood of talented women who make up Adidas Women’s Basketball.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

As Foot Locker cements its commitment to basketball, the retailer is highlighting key athletes connected to Puma, Adidas and other top shoe brands this holiday season.

The footwear retailer on Wednesday unveiled “Step Into Your Gift,” its new campaign that centers on the role of sneaker culture in the holiday gifting season. The accompanying advertisements, which will live across paid media, social media, e-commerce, digital and in-store displays, will feature NBA athletes such as Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball as well as Grammy-nominated artist Coi Leray. The lineup also includes style influencers and Foot Locker employees, best known as “Stripers.”

“Choosing the perfect gift, whether for yourself or someone special, is more than a holiday tradition – it’s an opportunity to create lasting memories,” said Foot Locker chief customer officer Kim Waldmann in a statement. “Informed by Gen Z consumer insights, Step Into Your Gift brings an energetic, uplifting spirit that underscores Foot Locker’s commitment to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do. We’re taking the pressure off and reinvigorating the magic of gifting with a campaign that evokes nostalgia and celebrates the unique gifts we each possess.”

The campaign comes a year after Foot Locker launched “The Heart of Sneakers,” a global platform that guides its campaigns, online and in-store experiences and community events. The new platform was developed in line with Foot Locker’s stated goal to connect more deeply with and expand sneaker culture, an objective outlined in March 2023 as part of the retailer’s “Lace Up” strategic plan put forward by CEO Mary Dillon. The plan is meant to help Foot Locker increase market share and grow sales to $9.5 billion by 2026.

Foot Locker has also recently pushed more deeply into the basketball category, leveraging partnerships with brands like Nike and Jordan to bring new product to life. In August, Foot Locker introduced “Home Court,” a designated area in its revamped Manhattan Herald Square developed in partnership with Nike and Jordan Brand that highlights Foot Locker’s assortment of basketball sneakers and the sport’s central roll in sneaker culture.

A’ja Wilson attended WSJ Magazine’s 14th Annual Innovator Awards which took place at The Museum of Modern Art in New York yesterday.

This year, the magazine celebrated seven revolutionary icons in recognition of their outstanding achievements in their respective industries. These icons included big names from fashion to film including Charli XCX, Marc Jacobs and Salma Hayek Pinault, among others. The WNBA was also honored during the event.

Keeping it classic for the teal carpet, the athlete donned jet-black leather pumps. Simple in nature, the footwear pick featured striking triangular toes, glossy black leather uppers and 2 to 3-inch stiletto heels. For those looking to emulate Wilson’s red carpet look, similar shoe silhouettes can be shopped via brands like Nine West, Zara, Ralph Lauren, Gianvito Rossi and Christian Louboutin, among others.

Accompanying her simplistic shoe choice, the basketball star wore a black and white two-piece set featuring a high-waisted floor-sweeping skirt and a matching cropped off-the-shoulder top. The skirt was structural and featured a slit up the front, further diversifying the silhouette.

Wilson plays for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association. The athlete won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, after beating Japan 90-75 in the final. This was the seventh consecutive Olympic gold medal for the USA women’s team. On Aug. 1, Wilson spoke with FN regarding landing her Nike signature sneaker shoe deal. Wilson’s Nike A’One releases in 2025.

“To be the next Black woman with a signature shoe, oh my gosh, I am so excited for next year. I can’t contain it,” Wilson said. “It’s such a big moment. When [the news] first dropped, Coach Staley hit me, Sheryl hit me, Lisa hit me and they were all like, ‘You deserve this.’ To have greats, Hall of Famers like that say that to me, I was like, ‘God, thank you.’”

The Best Shoes From WSJ. Magazine’s 14th Annual Innovator Awards [Photos]

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Whether it’s the Air Jordan OG from 1998, the player editions for UCLA guard Kiki Rice and WNBA star Kia Nurse or several other shoes, Jordan Brand has been invested in the women’s game. That investment continues with the Heir Series.

Jordan Brand’s revealed the Heir Series on Monday, its newest court-ready basketball shoe, which was made using feedback from several of the 15 women athletes it backs.

“We’re currently witnessing a pivotal and transformative era for sports, especially women’s sports,” WNBA star Rhyne Howard said in a statement. “This shoe allows us to leverage our understanding of how women play to create products that can benefit all athletes and push the entire sport landscape forward.”

Jordan Brand stated the Heir Series is representative of its belief that all athletes can benefit from women’s insights, and that this philosophy comes to life in the Heir Series through its emphasis on running and cutting, two of the “most critical aspects of the women’s game” and a “top priority for a growing number of all hoopers.”

To address this, Jordan Brand added an exterior layer of foam to the Heir Series — its lowest shoe basketball shoe on the market — that protects a drop-in Cushlon 3.0 midsole, which it explained allows the wearer’s foot to be low to the ground for “a flexible court feel.” Also adding to the court feel is the rubber herringbone traction pattern used on the outsoles, which the brand said enables quickness and control.

Additional tech in the Heir Series includes an adaptive, flexible cage that Jordan Brand stated was inspired by “the connection and teamwork central to the women’s game.” This tech, the brand explained, also drives support and comfort while preventing ankle rolling, a common injury with women basketball players.

“I love how light they are, how comfortable they are, and I feel like I have a lot of support when I run and cut out on the court,” WNBA star Jordin Canada said in a statement. “It’s a great shoe, and for it to be a shoe from women, I’m really glad to be a part of this one.”

Jordan Brand revealed the stories behind several colorways of the shoe, including “Main Character,” which is replete with bold hues and an abstract animal print that it stated “reflects the bold, confident mindset of female basketball fans and Jordan Brand Family athletes.”

Another colorway Jordan Brand shared insights into is “Her Collective,” which it stated “fuses the favorite colors of each female athlete on the Jordan Brand Family roster.” Also, the “YSY” look was inspired by China, the home country of its sponsored athlete Yang Shuyu.

“Understanding that the Heir Series is specifically designed from my insights as well as other women athletes on the roster is really representative of the change that’s going on right now in women’s basketball,” Rice said in a statement. “Being able to contribute to the design and feel of this shoe is something I don’t take for granted. I love the aesthetic and think the color blocking lends itself to be a great vehicle for storytelling and advancing the women’s game and basketball overall.”

The Jordan Brand Heir Series silhouette is available now via Jordan.com and at select retailers with a $110 price tag.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

The journey of designing and releasing a signature shoe is a long one. A’ja Wilson, whose Nike shoe is slated for a 2025 release, shared the joys and challenges of the process at a media event Monday.

The two-time WNBA champion was one of the featured guests during a series of discussions about all-things basketball, which took place at Nike’s headquarters in New York City. Wilson was joined on stage by Nike Inc. president of geographies and marketplace Craig Williams, as well as Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum via Zoom. The conversation was moderated by ESPN and MSG basketball analyst Monica McNutt.

Among the topics discussed, the three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player shared the pressures that come with having a signature shoe.

“There is pressure when it comes to competing with other brands or just wanting to [have] the best shoe, but at the same time you don’t want the message to get lost, you don’t want the storytelling to get lost. That’s tough because there are a lot of great ideas,” Wilson said. “We have some dope shoes out there. You don’t want your shoe to be just another one. You want longevity, you want a shoe to have a name after a game you had, like the [Air Jordan 12] ‘Flu Game.’ That type of substance is a lot of pressure.”

She continued, “Sitting at the table with your team, having those hard conversations, that caught me by surprise. I thought they were going to be like, ‘Here’s a shoe, we’re just going to put your signature on it’ [Laughs.] But no, they were like, ‘We’re going to break it down,’ and I didn’t think I was ready for that, but now I am and I am so excited and thankful for my team.”

On stage, Wilson, too, shared the joys of being a signature athlete.

“It’s a blessing to me, honestly. It’s something that you dream of as a kid, like, ‘Oh, I get my shoe. Oh, my God, this is it.’ To see it coming to reality has been a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun,” Wilson said. “I have an awesome team that is trying to put my weird words that I say into a shoe, which is great, because I’m like, ‘I want the thing that goes the thing,’ and then they’re like, ‘OK, we’ve got it.'”

She continued, “It’s unique to me because it’s a shoe that can do a lot. It’s a versatile shoe — anyone can wear it. It’s not a big man shoe, a big woman shoe. It’s going to be comfortable for everyone, and I hope everyone feels that.”

Nike announced in May that it was working with Wilson on a signature collection that would include a shoe, dubbed the A’One. A month later, the brand revealed her logo, which features a star in the “A” of her signature.

Speaking exclusively with FN in July, Wilson provided some insights about her A’One sneaker.

“When people look at my position in basketball, they think of a big-man shoe, a forward or center shoe. The A’One is not that. It is the complete opposite,” Wilson told FN. “It’s very versatile because that is my style of play. And I wanted a shoe that was going to be comfortable and durable for 40 minutes because the last thing I want to worry about on court are my shoes. And it’s a low top.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Puma is redoubling its efforts in basketball. The sports brand has launched its first-ever global campaign. The project features five Puma Hoops athletes and is titled, “FOREVER. FASTER. See The Game Like We Do.”

“Since the start we’ve always tried to tell the story of basketball through the lens of the player, seeing the game the way they do, both on the court and off the court,” Puma Basketball’s global head, Max Staiger, says in a statement. “This approach has allowed us to connect those unique viewpoints with disruptive product and storytelling —impactful to anyone around the game.”

In the campaign, Breanna Stewart, Flau’jae Johnson, Scoot Henderson, LaMelo Ball and Tyrese Haliburton appear individually on the court. They largely appear in some form of play with the exception of LaMelo who appears with one of his dogs.

“The campaign showcases the tenacious spirit we have for the game and the investment we are willing to make to show up as a powerhouse and continue carving our legacy, “Richard Teyssier, vice president brand and marketing for Puma says. “This dedicated campaign will continue to thread our message across the business and amplify our holistic vision for the brand.”

The campaign, which debuted globally this weekend, includes a hero brand film. It also is simply the latest move in strengthening the basketball business. Earlier this month, the company announced its deal with Haliburton, its most accomplished signee in the NBA. In addition, earlier this year the company announced that star designer Salehe Bembury had inked a partnership to design the company’s next signature silhouette. In addition, Ball’s MB.02 sneaker is one of the top three bestselling basketball shoes on StockX.

This all comes after the German company rejoined the sport in 2018.

Less than a week after assuming control of Nike, president and CEO Elliott Hill has made his first public comments.

Shortly after the Swoosh announced it had extended its apparel and uniform contract with the WNBA, the NBA and the NBA G League on Monday, Hill was featured on a panel at Nike’s headquarters in New York City. He was joined by Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, as well as NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo via Zoom. The conversation was moderated by ESPN and MSG basketball analyst Monica McNutt.

During the panel, Hill — a company veteran of 32 years — discussed Nike’s evolving role in basketball, as well as potential barriers to progress.

Below is what Hill shared on stage at Nike’s NYC headquarters, edited for clarity.

On the New York Liberty’s WNBA Finals Win

“The Liberty fans, if there is such a thing as a sixth player, without question I think it was the Liberty fans. The atmosphere in the building last night [Oct. 20] was electric, it was loud, it was fun, it was real. There’s no question in my mind they helped will them to victory.”

Nike’s Role in the Growth of Basketball

“For the last 50-plus years, Nike has been very much about putting the athlete at the center of the conversation. That helps drive the innovation around product and storytelling, etc., so we’ll continue to do that. Nike has always been about growth and growing sport around the world, and when we do that, we grow the industry, we make the industry bigger, and we’ll continue to do that. As it relates to our partnership, it’s very much in the same vein. We’re going to put the athlete — whether it’s the elite athlete or the everyday athlete or the fan — at the center and try to extend the game of basketball beyond the elite athlete to grassroots, men’s, women’s, boys, girls, different formats, three-on-three. You can go down the list. International is a big piece of how we grow the game of basketball, and it is at the core of what we continue to talk about. And I would add moving beyond just on court to lifestyle and the culture of basketball, it’s a tremendous opportunity for both of us to continue to grow the game of basketball.”

Barriers to Progress

“Sometimes we set our own barriers. We talk a lot about human potential at Nike. We all see the potential of the game, and I think we inadvertently maybe set some some of the boundaries around it. I think we — and I speak of our two companies and the partnership we have and all the brands that we have here — have to treat ourselves much like an athlete, and to continue to push ourselves to think differently, to get better, to put that athlete and that consumer at the center of everything that we do. If we can do that, we’ll come up with new and interesting ways to celebrate the game, move the game forward and I think help grow the game globally.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Ja Morant’s Murray State-themed Nike Ja 2s aren’t the only college colors appearing on the NBA star’s second signature sneaker. On Friday, Morant took to social media to show off a new batch of player exclusives for six different Nike-sponsored schools.

Included in the mix are Arizona, Duke, Kentucky, LSU, Oregon and UConn. Out of all the teams, the Oregon Ducks have the most options with three colorways to choose from in white, yellow and black. Duke, LSU and UConn all have two apiece in traditional home and away looks. Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats and Kentucky Wildcats each have one white-based style included in the preview.

Changes to the sneakers are subtle yet easily recognizable for fans of the schools. The Nike Ja 2’s lateral ribbed paneling and mesh uppers remain unaltered, but the colors of each pair have been blocked to match their respective teams. Elsewhere, university logos appear on the tongues.

It’s not yet confirmed if any of these Nike Ja 2 college PEs will potentially be released, but it’s unlikely based on Nike’s past player exclusive rollouts. However, Morant’s Murray State hall of fame induction colorway was launched in September, so it’s not completely out of the question.

Next up for the retail releases of the Nike Ja 2 is a Halloween-themed “Nightmare” edition set to hit nike.com and select Nike Basketball retailers on Oct. 25 for a retail price of $130.

Also on Friday, Morant debuted a new colorway of the Nike Ja 2 while the Memphis Grizzlies hosted the Miami Heat in a preseason loss. The white colorway featured a yellow Swoosh and a paint splatter effect across the entire shoe. There’s currently no word on if this pair will be released.

This story will be updated with any potential launch developments on the Nike Ja 2 college PEs. For now, readers can preview the full spread below and look out for the sneakers on court this season.

March Madness Sneakers

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Reebok has added some young basketball talent to its growing roster of athletes.

The athletic brand announced the addition of Nate Ament to its roster, a lineup that features several standouts, including WNBA star Angel Reese. Ament is the first-ever high school basketball athlete that Reebok has signed to a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal.

With this multiyear partnership, Reebok stated Ament will support brand activations and help bring awareness to its performance and lifestyle product offerings. This includes Reebok’s newest court-ready basketball shoe, the Engine A.

“I’m so excited to welcome Nate into the Reebok family,” Shaquille O’Neal, president of Reebok Basketball, said in a statement. “He’s a great kid who comes from an amazing family and he’s got superstar potential on the court. We know he’s going to do big things and we’ll be right there with him.”

Ament is a 6-foot-9 small forward from Manassas, Va., and is currently the No. 4 ranked prospect in the ESPN 100 recruiting index.

“Reebok has everything I need as a young basketball player to take my game to the next level,” Ament said in a statement. “Shaq and A.I. [Allen Iverson], all my dreams have been lived out by these legends, so to have them as a resource is exciting. I’m just amped to see what we can do together with all the possibilities ahead.”

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Kobe Bryant fans are likely well acquainted with his signature Adidas and Nike lines, but the late basketball legend’s sneaker legacy goes beyond his own footwear. In addition to wearing various 1990s Adidas models while playing for Philadelphia’s Lower Merion High School, Bryant wore one of the more iconic Nike designs of the era in the Air Max Uptempo, known today as the Air Max Uptempo 95.

As its name suggests, the Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 was released in 1995 and is set to return next year for its 30th anniversary. It was the third installment of Nike’s heavily cushioned Uptempo basketball line, which ran throughout the 1990s and included other classic designs such as the Air More Uptempo, made famous on the court by Scottie Pippen. Prior to the Air More Uptempo, Pippen was one of the NBA top names who wore the Air Max Uptempo 95 along with Kevin Garnett and then-college stars such as Ray Allen and Tim Duncan. 

While not quite as bold in its styling as its Air More Uptempo relative, the Air Max Uptempo 95 was an aggressive design for its time. It was Nike’s first basketball shoe to use full-length visible Air cushioning, expanding on the Air Max2 heel unit of its predecessor. With a puffy, padded upper, the Air Max Uptempo 95 doubled down on Swoosh logos.

“The Air Max Uptempo basketball shoe is for big, fast, crashing-down-from-the-boards like-o-meteorite kind of players. The earth is protected from them by the most Nike-Air cushioning we’ve ever put into one sole,” reads an original ’95 Nike advertisement for the shoe.

The Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 OG will return in ’25 in its original “White/White/Black/Mystic Teal” colorway. It’s expected to be released on March 9 for a retail price of $165. The 2011 iteration of the shoe is pictured below.

Kobe Bryant’s 10 Best Sneaker Looks

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