SHAI 001
The path to superstardom in the NBA comes with unique opportunities. Beyond the accolades and on-court victories, the truly elite often land a signature sneaker. On Thursday, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander officially joined that exclusive club with the unveiling of the Converse SHAI 001, his first signature shoe. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard has cemented himself as one of the league’s brightest stars, and now, his impact extends beyond the court with a sneaker that embodies his unique style and rising influence.
SHAI 001
“I poured my heart and soul into the SHAI 001, and I’m proud to share it with the world,” Gilgeous Alexander said. “From performance to design, every aspect of this shoe reflects my passion for the game and my commitment to pushing the boundaries. We made the SHAI 001 a versatile shoe for everyone – from the athlete who’s in the gym three times a day to the kids who just want to express themselves on or off the court.”
Currently the frontrunner to win MVP and headed to San Francisco this weekend for the NBA All-Star Game, Gilgeous-Alexander will debut his new signature shoe for the first time in the coming days in the “Butter” colorway. Fans can experience the silhouette for the first time at Converse’s “SHAI 001 STUDIO” from Feb. 15- 16, at 300 Grant Ave., San Francisco, CA 94108. The activation includes a detailed exploration of the SHAI 001, a Converse By You customization experience, and more.
The shoe will be available in a limited global release in the fall.
In a moment of perfect synchrony, where athleticism meets art and creativity converges with performance, the 26-year-old was able to leverage his vision and fashion brilliance. As the Creative Director of Converse Basketball, this was a milestone that had been anticipated for some time. Since assuming that role in 2024, Gilgeous-Alexander has been at the forefront of every facet of his signature logo and shoe design process, imbuing the project with his artistic vision and creative sensibility. From the outset, he shared several hand-drawn sketches with the Converse product and design teams that ultimately inspired the final design of the SHAI 001. The shoe harmonizes comfort, containment, durability, and style into a performance basketball shoe that delivers an exceptional experience on and off the court.
“We gave Shai creative control over the design of the shoe in a way only Converse can. Then, we went to work leveraging the resources of Converse and all the innovation of Nike, Inc. to proudly deliver the SHAI 001,” Jared Carver, CEO and President of Converse said. “Converse invented the first basketball shoe, and we have been there for so many of the sport’s beloved moments over the last hundred years. We are confident the SHAI 001 will help inspire and inform the next wave of basketball footwear, and return Converse to its rightful place at the heart of the game.”
SHAI 001
As described by Converse, every facet of the shoe was intentional. Every single element has purpose and was deeply thought out.
Tongue with Shai’s Signature Logo
Emblazoned on the tongue of the SHAI 001 is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s signature logo — a symbol of his duality as an athlete and creative, and a nod to his jersey number.
Zipper
The zipper on the SHAI 001 is a bold statement of customization and adaptability. With a locking mechanism that allows for multiple wear options, the zipper can be worn half-zipped, all the way zipped, or flipped down. The inner bootie and Ghillie lacing system work in tandem to provide containment and adjustability, while the webbing adds an extra layer of support.
Puffed Upper
The SHAI 001’s puffed upper serves as a comfort proposition and features a winged shroud that provides dimension and volume to the shoe. The upper’s unibody molded design also offers a futuristic feel. Additional padding in the tongue helps ensure a snug and comfortable fit.
Cushioning
For responsive performance, the SHAI 001 features a Nike Zoom Air bag in the forefoot. This technology helps provide a springy feel with every step and helps ensure better court feel and connectivity.
Radial Traction Pattern
On the outsole, a radial traction pattern is designed for optimal cutting ability, allowing for quick change of direction and explosive movement on the court.
This is a significant moment for Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Converse. The global icon now has a signature shoe, which is something only the elite players in the NBA ever get. As big of a moment as this is, it’s only the beginning for the superstar and his partnership with the brand.
