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The entire basketball world flocks to whichever city the NBA hosts its yearly All-Star event as the game’s former legends, up-and-coming talent, and brightest stars all convene under one arena roof to put on a show for the public. During these festivities, we see the footwear brands that sponsor many of the players debut new silhouettes and themed colorways alongside players turning heads with custom sneakers. Going through the entire roster, we’re checking out what everyone rocked on the court during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. While you’re here, give us a follow over on Twitter and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Getty Images
LeBron James - Nike LeBron 20 “All-Star” PE
Taking the design of the Nike LeBron 20 “All-Star” that was released to the general public, Nike and James crafted a PE colorway with the reverse Swoosh version of Bron’s latest signature sneaker. Taking on a yellow upper compared to the sky blue seen on the retail pair, James showed out in the game with his highlight reel-worthy self alley-oop with this exclusive pair on feet.
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Nike Zoom Freak 4
Only playing enough time to get off one shot due to a nagging injury, Giannis took to the court to start the game with his latest signature silhouette the Nike Zoom Freak 4 in a PE colorway taking on shades of yellow and purple.
Jaylen Brown - Nike Kobe 5 Custom
The former teammate of Kyrie Irving and current sneaker free agent Jaylen Brown took to the court last night rocking a custom pair of Nike Kobe 5s that featured an X’d out Nike Swoosh and graphics depicting the sneaker to be on fire. The biggest feature of this custom pair is the “Liberation” text on the medial side which is clearly a nod to Kyrie’s departure from Nike. It looks like we won’t be seeing Brown sign with The Swoosh anytime soon or ever based on his choice of sneakers last night.
Lauri Markkanen - Nike LeBron 20 “Liverpool”
The 7-foot center Lauri Markkanen entered the court rocking his opposing team’s leader’s sneakers - the Nike LeBron 20 in the “Liverpool F.C.” colorway. Not the most hyped pair on the court that evening, however, it was definitely a standout with its vibrant red color scheme across its upper.
Luka Doncic - Jordan Luka 1
Luka Doncic has been dominating the league since he made the transition to the NBA from the Euro League, and with him now receiving his own signature series from Jordan Brand we exclusively see the Slovenian rocking his Jordan Luka sneakers on the court. For this momentous event, Doncic was rocking his Luka 1 in the “Total Orange” colorway that would probably be more fitting if he was playing for Team Giannis.
Donovan Mitchell - adidas D.O.N. Issue #4 “Grambling State” PE
Recently revealing his HBCU-inspired “Grambling State University” colorway for the public to get their hands on, Donovan Mitchell took the court last night in a PE-version of the “Grambling State” color scheme via the adidas D.O.N. Issue #4. Even with The Three Stripes revealing the fifth iteration in his signature series, it seems that for the time being, we’re going to continue to see Mitchell rock his Issue #4 on the court.
Joel Embiid - Under Armour Embiid 1
We’ve trusted the process for years with Joel Embiid and Under Armour seems to be following his words of wisdom, however, we’ve yet to see the Under Armour Embiid 1 hit the market in the same regard as his roster-mate Steph Curry. The colorway he rocked is likely a PE as we haven’t seen it hit the market yet.
Ja Morant - Nike Ja 1 “Scratch”
Alongside Jayson Tatum debuting his first signature sneaker with Jordan, Ja Morant laced up the “Scratch” colorway of his soon-to-be-released Nike Ja 1. The retro Vancouver Grizzlies-inspired colorway is definitely a head turner and the shoes themselves seem to have given Ja the extra oomph to continue to make highlight plays.
Kyrie Irving - Nike Kyrie 8 “Moccasin” custom & Nike Kyrie 3 Custom
Kyrie Irving is currently in sneaker purgatory as the infamous superstar recently had his deal with Nike cut short due to controversy surrounding his off-the-court actions. Even with The Swoosh no longer endorsing Irving and his Kyrie 8 launch being canceled, we continue to see him take the court in his signature series, however, he goes the extra mile to cover up any and all Nike branding. For the All-Star game, we saw him take the floor in the unreleased Kyrie 8 with a custom moccasin finish as the shoes as surrounded by leather tassels while he also made the switch over to a custom pair of Kyrie 3s that spoke out for “Afrakan Liberation” via tape covering the Swoosh logo.
Jayson Tatum - Jordan Tatum 1 “Pink Lemonade” & “Zoo”
Probably the biggest sneaker moment of All-Star weekend was Tatum and Jordan Brand officially revealing the Jordan Tatum 1. In a pre-game interview, Tatum showcased the sneaker in its “Pink Lemonade” colorway and started the night off in that same color. However, near the end of the game, he switched over to the launch colorway of the model with its “Zoo” rendition. Seeing Tatum break the All-Star game record for most points scored (55) and receive the All-Star MVP award, it's safe to say his signature line will be making waves in the NBA and on courts across the world.
Nikola Jokic - Nike Air Zoom GT Jump
Although Nikola Jokic has been one of the league's best big men we have yet to see him receive a signature model, though he is always spotted rocking a pair of Nike’s on the court. No longer rocking his favorite Hyperdunks, Jokic rocked a pair of the Nike Air Zoom GT Jump during his 20 minutes on the floor.
De’Aaron Fox - Under Armour Curry 2 Low
At one point a Nike athlete and the potential face of Charles Barkley’s lineup of sneakers from The Swoosh, De’Aaron Fox seems to have transitioned into sneaker free agency as his deal with Nike expired. Taking the ASG court last night, Fox rocked a pair of his rival Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry’s Under Armour Curry 2 Low. We’ll have to see if Fox rides out his free agency for some time or if he’s in talks with UA/another brand not carrying a Swoosh logo.
Damian Lillard - adidas Dame 8
It was definitely DAME TIME during NBA All-Star weekend. Lillard walked away as champion of the 3-point contest on Saturday before appearing in the All-Star game on Sunday. For the game, Dame laced up his latest signature shoe, the adidas Dame 8, in a mismatched PE edition. Matching both squads' uniforms, the right shoe comes blue-based, while the left is in a mixture of orange and pink.
Bam Adebayo - Air Jordan 37 Low
With its retail debut in January, the Air Jordan 37 Low is set to keep the latest game shoe from the Air Jordan line alive for the second half of the 2022-23 NBA season. Fresh for his second NBA All-Star appearance, Bam Adebayo laced up a PE edition of the AJ 37 Low. Featuring a bright, all-crimson upper, this pair definitely stood out on-court, complementing his uniform perfectly.
Paul George - Nike Kobe 6
It wouldn’t be a proper NBA game without a “Grinch” sighting! Paul George decided to forgo his own signature sneaker in favor of one of the best Kobe sneakers of all time, the Kobe 6 Protro. Suffice to say, he made the right decision by lacing these up for the 2023 NBA All-Star game.
Tyrese Haliburton - Nike Kobe 5
One of the best pairs of kicks seen on-court for the 2023 NBA All-Star game was Tyrese Haliburton’s Nike Kobe 5. This player-exclusive edition featured a white-based upper, highlighted by yellow and pink accents, a green Swoosh on the sides, and an icy translucent outsole. Another pair of Kobe’s that NEED to be released.
Domantas Sabonis - Nike Kobe 6
Along with Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis also rocked a PE Kobe for the 2023 ASG. Another fire colorway, Sabonis’ Kobe 6 sports a pale grey upper with gradient detailing via the Swoosh on the sides, plastic heel counter, and outsole.
Pascal Siakam - Nike KD 13
Kevin Durant’s signature series of sneakers has been a fan favorite both for NBA talent and your average hooper at the local gym and Pascal Siakam seems to be a big fan. During his 15 minutes on the court, Siakam rocked a pair of the Nike KD 13 in its “University Blue” color scheme.
Julius Randle - Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2
Nike Basketball’s latest inline silhouette, the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2 was spotted on multiple players on the court and Julius Randle happened to be one of them. Looking very similar to an upcoming colorway of the model, this grey, white, pink, and sail rendition clashed heavily against his Team LeBron uniform and popped during his multiple dunks that night.
Jaren Jackson Jr - Nike Air Zoom GT Run
Another Nike athlete on the court, Jaren Jackson Jr, has been with The Swoosh since the summer of 2018 and took on his very first All-Star appearance with a pair of the Nike Air Zoom GT Run that took on a light pink and white color scheme.
Jrue Holiday - Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2
The former 76er and current Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday is the second athlete in the 2023 ASG to rock a pair of the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut 2, however, his pink colorway was much more vibrant compared to Julius Randle’s. Both pairs are currently unreleased, though we likely will see them hit shelves in the near future.
Shai Gilgeous Alexander - Converse All-Star BB Prototype CX
As the only player on the court to rock a pair of Converse, Shai Gilgeous Alexander laced up the brand's newest entry into its basketball lineup with the Converse All-Star BB Prototype CX. The futuristic-looking performance sneaker was spotted in its “Thunder & Lightning” colorway as it features a mixture of blue flame and magic fire in a gradient color scheme.
Anthony Edwards - adidas BYW Select
The Three Stripes had a big weekend unveiling its latest lineup of performance basketball sneakers, however, Anthony Edwards laced up a pair of the adidas BYW Select in a “Bred” colorway. As the spiritual successor to the iconic adidas FYW (Feet You Wear) line, the “Boost You Wear” helped Edwards drop 12 points in his 17 minutes on the floor.
DeMar DeRozan - Nike Kobe 6 Protro "BHM"
Even with DeMar DeRozan being a star player on the Chicago Bulls we often see him take the court in Nike models as opposed to MJ’s Jordan lineup. As many players have done over the years (and increasingly so since his passing), one of Kobe Bryant’s silhouettes was DeRozan’s choice for the 2023 ASG - the Nike Kobe AD Mid - in a monochromatic yellow colorway that matched his Team Giannis jersey. Off the court, however, he was spotted wearing the illustrious "BHM" pair that Vanessa Bryant recently shared on Instagram.
Mac McClung - Puma Rise Nitro Neymar Jr Ultra Orange
Winning the dunk contest seemingly out of nowhere, Mac McClung showcased his rim-shattering skills in a pair of Puma Nitro Rise. Specifically, McClung was rocking the collaborative pair with world-class soccer star Neymar Jr.
Buddy Hield - Nike Kobe AD “Red Gold”
Although it was won by Damian Lillard, the three-point contest featured some incredible kicks on the floor and Buddy Hield may have had the best of all. Entering the night, Hield sported a pair of red and metallic gold Nike Kobe ADs that stood out when he was taking his shots around the arc.
Jericho Sims - Nike Air Zoom GT Cut “Black White”
One of Nike’s inline performance basketball sneakers, the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut was featured on the feet of plenty of players - Jericho Sims included. Sims sported the pair during the Slam Dunk contest in which Sims had a viral moment where he pulled out a “perfect” scorecard (50) from the rim he had just dunked on yet received a score of 47.8 from the judges.
Trey Murphy - Nike PG 6 “What The?”
One of the Rising Stars participants, Trey Murphy laced up a pair of the Nike PG 6 “What The?” during the competition. Not the most head-turning pair seen during All-Star weekend, a solid choice that showcases plenty of Paul George’s best colorways.
KJ Martin - Nike Kobe 8 “What The?”
Turning the “What The?” dial to 11, KJ Martin rocked himself a pair of the Nike Kobe 8 “What The?” that fetches insane prices on the secondary market. A fitting tribute to Kobe Bryant and one of the bigger “flex” moments during the weekend festivities.
Jaden Ivey - Nike Air Zoom GT Cut
Another pair of the Nike Air Zoom GT Cut was seen in Salt Lake City with Jaden Ivey busting out a pair. One of the more solid hopping shoes in Nike Basketball’s lineup of offerings, its sporty and sleek look fits well on the star-studded floor.
Jabari Smith Jr - adidas Harden Vol. 7 PE
Arguably one of the more controversial basketball sneakers in recent memory, the adidas Harden Vol. 7 is one of those “love it or hate it” models, however, it seems Jabari Smith Jr is in the “love it” camp as he sported a pair during All-Star weekend.
Paolo Banchero - Air Jordan 37 Low “Taxi”
One of the younger talents on Jordan Brand’s roster, Paolo Banchero sported the latest performance model from the house that MJ built with the Air Jordan 37 Low “Taxi.” While not currently available (and unknown if it will ever release), the pair obviously takes inspiration from the Air Jordan 7 Low “Taxi” as the AJ 37 has seen a slew of colorways taken directly from previous AJ 7 releases.
Collin Sexton - Nike Zoom GT Cut 2
Another participant in the All-Star weekend festivities, another appearance of the Nike Zoom GT Cut. This time, however, Collin Sexton was sporting a pair of the 2nd iteration of the model in a PE colorway.
Walker Kessler - adidas Harden Vol. 6 “Black White”
James Harden may not have the most eye-catching sneaker with adidas, however, Walker Kessler decided the adidas Harden Vol. 6 “Black White” was the pair for him when he was spotted during the weekend in Salt Lake City.
Jordan Clarkson - Converse All-Star BB Prototype CX Thunder & Lightning
Converse’s days of dominating the NBA court are long gone, though new entries like the All-Star BB Prototype CX have shown that there may be room for the 100-plus-year-old brand in this market. Showcasing this latest model was Jordan Clarkson who rocked the “Thunder & Lightning” colorway during the Skills Challenge.
Alex Antetokounmpo - Nike Zoom Freak 4 “The Decision”
Although not at the same level of talent as his brother Giannis, Alex Antetokounmpo always represents the family and rocked a pair of the Nike Zoom Freak 4 “The Decision” during the All-Star weekend festivities.
Thanasis Antetokounmpo - Nike Zoom Freak 4 “All-Star”
Just like his brother Alex and Giannis, Thanasis Antetokounmpo kept it in the family by rocking the “All-Star” colorway of his brother Giannis’ latest signature silhouette with Nike, the Zoom Freak 4.
Jose Alvarado - Peak TaiChi Attitude 2
The only player to not rock a sneaker from a major sportswear brand like Nike, Jordan, adidas, Puma, or Converse, Jose Alvardo was rocking the Chinese sportswear Peak and its TaiChi Attitude 2 when he arrived suited up for play in Salt Lake City, Utah.
