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With the start of a 2025 NBA season this week, it’s once again time to take a look at which player has the best current signature sneaker.
There are players who will be wearing their first signature shoe this season, like reigning Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Converse Shai 001, to players like LeBron James, who will lace up his 23rd signature model with Nike. Several WNBA players and their sneakers are also being featured here, including A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, and Angel Reese.
It’s worth mentioning that there were several factors we considered, which included the overall design of the shoe, the storytelling from the brands, and any notable on-court moments from players in the sneakers. Without further ado, here’s our ranking of the 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 much more than I like his sneakers. I think most people feel that way. And that’s an issue. Jordan Brand’s commercial 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 were cool, too. And it was a cool activation that they only released at a Foot Locker near Rucker Park. Nike and Jordan just don’t do enough with Luka though, and that needs to change. —Matt Welty
Release Date: Oct. 10, 2025
Price: $130
Jayson Tatum may have missed the first eight games of his college career due to a foot injury, but he still very famously went to Duke. It’s an association he’s been tied to throughout his NBA career. That said, it’s hard to imagine how the launch colorway of the Jordan Tatum 4 ended up looking so much like an Ohio State player exclusive. From the scarlet and grey colorway (in this case representing Tatum’s hometown of St. Louis) to the large O on the heel (his uniform number rather than the letter), this looks like a shoe the Buckeyes could be wearing for their annual early NCAA tournament exit.
Confusion aside, the sneaker itself is solid. The aesthetic design utilizes the flowing organic shapes that the line has become known for, and adds in a tech package that includes a Cushion 3.0 midsole with forefoot Zoom Air, along with a midfoot stability shank. It’s just unfortunate that we might not get to see it on Tatum’s feet much, with him presumably being out for most, if not all, of the upcoming season. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Price: $120
Hate it or love it, Angel Reese knows how to make a headline. Being an LSU alum with Shaq now leading Reebok, the partnership just made sense. The Angel Reese 1 features an all-mesh design with a TPU exoskeleton that gives it structure. Her signature logo adds more to the shoe’s personality, an “A” and “R” motif wrapped into a halo. One of my personal favorites leans into her “Me-bounds,” turning criticism into a colorway. Then seeing Wale rocking them with slouch socks? The perfect co-sign. Overall, the shoe is one to keep on the radar—I think Reebok hoops got one. However, it’s hard to give a full performance review, because all three colorways sold out instantly, which is a good sign for the future. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2025
Price: $125
There’s always a bit of added pressure for the follow-up to a good first signature shoe, and Kyrie Irving’s Anta Kai 2 certainly answered the bell. In terms of design, the Kai 2 is essentially a more streamlined version of its predecessor. Irving’s signature Native American aesthetic is once again captured in his latest shoe through the various symbols and color schemes. We also have to give credit 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 hard pressed to find a signature sneaker moment and debut better than that of the Puma Hali 1. I don’t care if this sneaker absolutely stunk—if you hit a game winner in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the first time you wear your first-ever signature shoe in an NBA game, it’s going to catch eyes. But lucky for Tyrese Haliburton, his shoe doesn’t stink—it’s actually quite good. Last Summer, Puma announced the signing of Salehe Bembury to help with its Hoops division, stating that he’d be designing a brand new signature shoe for an athlete that hadn’t been signed yet. Soon after it became clear Salehe would be designing the debut signature shoe for Haliburton. The Hali 1 is unmistakably Salehe, carrying his signature vibrant aesthetic and figuring out a way to display a giant Puma logo without making it offensive. An achilles injury soured the debut of the Hali 1, and of course led to countless memes, but it was an impressive debut for the new Puma Hoops signature, and it will be intriguing to see it on the feet of other hoopers this coming season. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: January 2026
Price: TBD
The Nike Book 1 got a lot of unwarranted hate in my opinion. It was the perfect shoe for Devin Booker. It was sleek, kinda looked like a Blazer, kinda looked like a Chuck, it fit well with his cool guy aesthetic. Enter the Nike Book 2. It debuted literally yesterday, so we don’t have a ton to go on here, but to me it’s a clear improvement on his first shoe. It borrows the upper from the legendary Spiridon and the outsole pattern from the iconic Air Force 1. Throughout Book’s brief run as a signature Nike athlete, he’s continued to pay homage to the brand’s past with different colorways, so it was a natural progression to have it a part of the shoe’s structure this time around. Whether or not you like the Book 2, one thing is for certain, it’s unmistakably Devin Booker, and that has to count for something. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Price: $170
After a few mundane models in recent outings, Kevin Durant has himself a hit with his current Nike KD 18.
Longtime sneaker fans will instantly recognize that the upper takes inspiration from the classic Terra Humara trail runner, specifically with the midfoot cage designed to help KD move around the court comfortably in his 19th season.
Not only is this one of KD’s best signature sneakers in a long time, but the latest model also has one of the 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 way to promote it without an ad. This year was all about A’ja Wilson—and her shoe has quickly become a fan favorite. Known for its comfort, it features Cushlon ST2 foam and subtle details inspired by her personal mantras and family. Her abstract logo is refreshing to see, as opposed to other more obvious examples. And through her promos, she’s made it clear her focus is on inspiring the next generation. A’ja delivered on the court and gave fans something to take home with them. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Price: $135
The Nike Sabrina 3 had some pretty lofty shoes to fill. Last NBA season (yes NBA, not WNBA), the Sabrina 2 was the most worn sneaker on an NBA court that wasn’t a Kobe sneaker. An argument can certainly be made that that had a lot to do with the fact that it looked just like a Kobe. But that’s a smart formula for Ionescu’s signature series. The WNBA Champ had a personal relationship with Bryant and often calls him one of her heroes. The 3 falls right in line with the design ethos of the Sabrina 1 and 2—at the end of the day they are perfectly sleek and simple shoes to hoop in. Senior Footwear Designer Ben Nethongkone has really hit his stride with the Swoosh at this point, continuing to churn out strong products during his tenure as Nike’s leading basketball footwear designer. Sabrina 3 is no different. —Ben Felderstein
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Price: $115
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature Nike line is still young in comparison to the likes of LeBron James and Kevin Durant, but in the seven seasons since its introduction, it’s been a consistent performance choice and a relatively good value (especially on sale). Sure, some have been better than others, but taken as a whole, it’s been a worthy addition to Nike’s signature archive.
Following a few more-traditional designs, the Nike Freak 7 takes risks akin to the earlier days of the line. What it lacks on the tech front (goodbye Zoom Air, hello Cushion 3.0) it makes up for in aesthetics, with a flowing upper design that’s only enhanced by the return of the reverse Swoosh. The reduction in tech comes along with a price cut as well, with the latest model coming in $25 less than the 6 at retail—a welcome example of the savings actually being passed along to the consumer. The biggest question is which team Giannis will be wearing them for by the end of the season. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Jan. 25, 2025
Price: $160
It only took nine tries, but Adidas finally landed a hit for James Harden and his signature line. In the near-decade that preceded it, entries were mostly “fine”—good enough, but they struggled to make any type of lasting impression. Go ahead, just try to picture the Adidas Harden Vol. 5 without Googling it.
The Vol. 9, however, built on the promise of the Vol. 8, which took the line in a new direction but didn’t quite feel finished. The 9 largely retained the overall shape of its predecessor, but added a much more refined level of detailing that gave the shoe a very modern feel, and is in line with the direction Adidas hoops appears headed in.
It’s a bit ironic that the model’s signature moment came on the feet of Jalen Williams and his Pinky And The Brain-themed PEs, but a win is a win—it’s better to have some defining moment than none, especially when the model is this strong. —Zac Dubasik
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2025
Price: $130
We gotta start this by addressing the elephant in the room, the Converse Shai 001 reminds a lot of people of the Reebok Answer 4. And that’s okay. It features a zipper in the front and a combination of neoprene and a molded synthetic upper. The monochromatic approach and SGA’s dedication to his family give the minimalist design depth. While it sparks nostalgia, it ultimately brings something new for this generation.
The Converse Shai 001 takes an on-court performance and off-court style approach, which is exactly where modern basketball sneakers need to be (and are heading towards). Shai is the perfect advocate for this movement. He debuted the shoe during All-Star Weekend, wore it in the NBA Finals, and styled it in different ways in pregame tunnels, which is one hell of a way to show versatility.
It’s a shoe that’s won championships, appeared in countless Instagram feeds, and carried stories from his family, but it’s also polarizing. Some people can’t get past the design, while others just can’t get their hands on a pair.
Either way, the Shai 001 stands on its own. It performs decently, looks good with a calm fit, and perfectly captures Shai’s vibe—confident yet nonchalant. —Douglas Jase
Release Date: August 2025
Price: $125
Coming off his last two sneakers, the Nike Ja 3 feels like a real shift. This one has depth—if it were a rap verse, it’d be filled with double entendres and punchlines. The shoe prominently displays Ja’s first name made up of a Swoosh being used as the “J,” while claw marks carve through a series of mini-Ja logos to create an “A.” Every part is a clever touch that gives the shoe its identity.
I honestly don’t think the Ja 3 has a bad colorway. The design allows the shoe to be a chameleon—there are endless options when it comes to color combos. Putting it on Nike By You was a smart move on Nike’s end, and yeah, I did partake.
Performance-wise, it backs up its design: it has great traction and a full-length ZoomX setup. On paper, it’s nearly a perfect basketball sneaker. However, it’s not mentioned as one of the sneakers of the year and maybe that’ll change—but that’ll depend 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 only athlete in history with 23 signature sneakers, a feat not likely to be matched any time soon—if ever. Design wise, the latest iteration of the LeBron line features a molded midfoot crown that James spoke highly of in an exclusive 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 also comes together to create the silhouette of the number 23.
The sneaker’s design is one thing, but for me it’s the packaging, the colorway storytelling, and the accompanying apparel that really stands out here. When creating the 23, designers Ross Klein and Jarrett Mann set out to forge a journey that starts with LeBron’s time in high school, takes us to his first stint in Cleveland, his years in Miami, his return to the Cavaliers, and finally his current run in Los Angeles. There are 23 colorways releasing of the shoe, each accompanied by a t-shirt designed to further tell the story of that stop along the king’s journey.
There has been no indication of James hanging up his crown after this season, but if it were to be his final year, 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, until they didn’t anymore. The Adidas AE1 left big shoes to fill. It was our Sneaker of the Year in 2024. It may have tailed off a bit since, but the ads, the marketing, and Anthony Edwards himself that made us all believe in the shoe—Believe That. So when an Adidas exec gave me an early look at the brand’s 2025 basketball line at the top of the year, the question of what Adidas would do with the AE 2 was the biggest unknown. But when I first saw the shoe, it checked out. It was good. I don’t know if it was as good as the AE1. But it was satisfactory.
Adidas accidentally leaked the shoe in presentation this year and people were disappointed it seemed. Somehow Adidas did everything wrong with the AE2. They needed to scrap the shoe. They were going to ruin Anthony Edwards. This was the reaction off just seeing the toe of the shoe. But now we’ve all seen the sneaker. And people love it. It’s next iteration of the AE 1, and it carries the torch just fine. It’s still the number one signature basketball sneaker in the NBA right now. —Matt Welty
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