Gilgeous-Alexander’s Grocery Games: SGA Shows off a Lace Up Converse Shai 001 at Sprouts

In an interview with the documentary team filming Netflix’s Starting 5 series that was clipped and posted online last year, OKC Thunder star and reigning NBA MVP Shai-Gilgeous Alexander is asked if he would ever repeat an outfit. “Oh, never,” SGA scoffs, “That’s impossible….unless it’s like, going to the grocery store, you wear grey sweats and a black hoodie.” After a brief pause, the interviewer asks a follow-up, “You go to the grocery store?” “Oh no,” Gilgeous-Alexander says in a moment of clarity, “I don’t.”

In what appears to be a staged play on that interaction, SGA was photographed at a Sprouts grocery store last week in a pair of grey sweats (no black hoodie, though) and a new zipper-free pair of the Converse Shai 001. Shoutout to the cotton candy grapes in Shai’s cart. Real heads know.

This new version of the Converse Shai 001 keeps the same shape and design structure as the original zippered pair, but with an exposed tongue and lace panel for a bit more bulk to the eye. The debut colorway starts with a tan khaki base, adds lime green to the wing structure on the upper, a bit more color with light blue on the sockliner, and a splash of leopard print on the top of the tongue for fun. At the grocery store, Shai tied the outfit together with a matching leopard print beanie.

The Converse Shai 001 Lace Up doesn’t have a release date or retail price just yet, but if it brought Shai to the grocery store, odds are we’ll get more info about the pair soon. To keep up with all the latest SGA sneaker news and drop info, download the Sole Retriever App.

Zach Harris

Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com