After the end of his 12-year contract with Nike, National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Kyrie Irving sets his sights on the Chinese sportswear brand ANTA as the next destination for sneaker free agency. After seven silhouettes, the former NBA Champion severs ties with the Swoosh effective October 1, 2023, with the partnership being unsalvageable.
ANTA features seven NBA cagers on their roster, headlined by Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson and Charlotte Hornet Gordon Hayward—who both possess signature sneaker lines with the brand.
.@KyrieIrving was seen at his camp wearing the Anta Shock Wave 5 Pro. @ScoopB previously reported that the China-based company has interest in signing the 8-time All-Star. pic.twitter.com/csK6XYQCa8
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) June 11, 2023
News of the partnership via pictures of Irving wearing an all-black rendition of the ANTA Shock Wave Pro 5 at his annual summer basketball camp earlier this month. Prior to the reveal, the NBA free agent aired his excitement on Instagram about the apparent partnership, describing to “blow this out of the water.”
Despite no formal announcement as of writing, reputable sources are treating the Kyrie x ANTA partnership as set in stone. With Irving’s departure from Nike, he shepherds a winning culture towards the Chinese staple, centered on his unrivaled on-court prowess and competitive drive.
Recognized as one of Nike’s most successful signature lines, Kyrie looks to bring the same level of prestige and hype to ANTA.
