Over the years, Nike Basketball has designed sneakers for some of the very best ballers throughout the history of the sport. When you have people like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant representing the brand as signature athletes, you know you're in good company.
Earlier today, a new athlete began his story as the newest addition to the esteemed Nike Basketball family - Kyrie Irving. The Cleveland Cavaliers Point Guard was announced as Nike's latest signature athlete through a special event held in New York City. The event was hosted by former NBA player Kenny Smith, and Irving himself was on tap to talk about his new shoe, the Kyrie 1.
Hit the jump to get the details on Nike's newest signature hoops shoe.
From Nike:
Nike’s 42-year legacy of signature athletes is bolstered today with the addition of its newest member, Kyrie Irving, and his first shoe, the KYRIE 1. The honor bestowed on Irving is something that he earned through the hungry yet humble approach he brings to competing at basketball’s highest level.
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| Nike Kyrie 1 "Deceptive Red" |
“As a kid, imagining that I’d be in the Nike family with my own shoe was something that seemed almost unattainable,” said Irving. “Now that I’ve received the KYRIE 1 I’m honored to represent Nike and its next generation of players.”
INNOVATION MEETS INSPIRATION
When designer Leo Chang and team began the design process of the KYRIE 1, the goal was to build a shoe to match Irving’s tremendous speed and quickness. The KYRIE 1 needed to be light, bold and responsive with the best traction Nike Basketball could develop for Irving’s prolific first step.
After months of meticulous testing and feedback, the KYRIE 1 was created to deliver three primary benefits:
- Pinpoint responsiveness with Nike Zoom Air cushioning in the forefoot.
- Dynamic grip with a 360-degree dynamic traction pattern wrapping the shoe’s sidewalls.
- Ultra support and breathability with Hyperfuse construction for lockdown stability.
KYRIE 1 SIGNATURE DETAILS
Irving joins Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James on Nike’s current roster of signature basketball athletes.
His first signature shoe, the KYRIE 1, lives up to the performance and storytelling expectations set by previous signature kicks:
- The new Kyrie Irving logo on the shoe’s tongue represents his inner strength and hunger to learn.
- Hand-written details in Irving’s penmanship: #2 on the upper heel along with his personal signature on the inside of the tongue.
- Jagged pattern on the wrapped traction near the toe and heel counter with architectural angles are both inspired by the Sydney Opera House in Irving’s homeland of Australia.
- The acronym “JBY” that sits beneath Irving’s new logo on the outsole stands for “Just Be You,” a motto that Irving hopes inspires kids as they establish their own unique identities.
COLORWAY STORIES
Each of these distinctions appear on all KYRIE 1 colorways. Individual stories come to life on each colorway beginning with the KYRIE 1 Dream. Irving often dreamt of waking up on Christmas morning and lacing up for a game professionally – a dream that will come true when Cleveland plays in Miami on Christmas day. The black-based shoe features geometric, colorful objects specific to Irving’s life journey, including stars from the Australian flag, a skateboard, his jersey number and a brass musical instrument.
The KYRIE 1 Deceptive Red is the lead colorway globally; it takes inspiration from Irving’s phenomenal quickness and accelerated first step.
BRIGHT FUTURE
The bar is set high for Irving based on his family pedigree, international experiences, thirst for knowledge and reluctance to fail. Irving’s role model remains his father Drederick, once a professional basketball star in Australia, who demonstrated great character as a single father raising three kids.
“My family means everything to me,” said Irving. “My father led by example and taught me how to become a stand-up man both on and off the court. You get what you give, and I’ll never take life or any opportunity for granted.”
AVAILABILITY
The KYRIE 1 is currently available for customization on NIKEiD; the KYRIE 1 Dream colorway will be available in North America on Dec. 23 in adult and kids sizes at nike.com and select retail destinations. The KYRIE 1 Deceptive Red colorway is available globally on Jan. 10, 2015. Along with the shoe, special KYRIE 1 T-shirts, hats and socks will also be available.
Locally, the Nike Kyrie 1 will be available at the following stores:
The drop date will be on January 10, 2015. Retail price of the Zoom Kyrie 1 will be P5795.
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