LeBron James Quietly Debuts the Nike LeBron 23

The 2025-2026 NBA season may very well be the last time we see LeBron James take the court in the NBA. His time with the Lakers saw him win another ring (though the bubble is still highly debated amongst fans), and play with his son Bronny, making history as the first father-son duo to play together. The King is also continuing to make history with his signature sneaker line with Nike, as the lifetime Nike athlete has just quietly debuted his 23rd model during a summer training session.

In a video posted by Chris Johnson, the well-known NBA trainer, LeBron can be seen taking shots on the court in an unseen blacked-out sneaker. The reason for the all-black build? It’s a weartest sample for the Nike LeBron 23. When Nike (or any footwear brand for that matter) is testing out new models, they will give athletes and wear-testers blacked-out versions of the sneaker so they can remove any bias based on the color or look of the sneaker. That way, they can focus on how the sneakers feel and perform.

The model itself incorporates one of James’ iconic logos, his crown, directly onto the upper of the sneaker. The sole unit is shaped on the lateral side to resemble this crown, providing both reinforcement/containment and a direct homage to LeBron.

We can see the LeBron series is sticking to the new low-cut design first introduced with the LeBron 20, intentionally done as James and Nike are looking to appeal to the next generation of hoopers who have moved away from the bulky high-top models. Tech specs for the sneaker have not been revealed at this time, but based on the increased price from the LeBron 22, expect even more high-tech tooling.

The Nike LeBron 23 debuts Holiday 2025 through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the pair will retail for $210. Check below for images of LeBron himself wearing a sample version of the model, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com