Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead Converse Basketball as creative director
MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has reportedly signed a multi-year shoe extension with Converse this week ahead of the NBA Playoffs. Viewed as one of the most fashionable players in the league, SGA's new deal includes an apparel collection set to drop next year. While he has been rocking Converse shoes since signing with the brand in 2022, he will also now get his own signature shoe.
Nick DePaula of Boardroom broke the news via social media on the platform formerly known as Twitter ahead of the NBA Playoffs. As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder await the winner of Friday's play-in game between the Pelicans and the Kings, SGA has plenty to celebrate.
In addition to his own signature shoe, and an apparel collection, the MVP contender's latest deal with Converse includes another major announcement. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now also the Creative Director of Converse Basketball.
As the new Creative Director of Converse Basketball, Gilgeous-Alexander will be able to dive deeper into his love for fashion. From his pre-game fits, to walking at the Paris Fashion Week, Gilgeous-Alexander's love of fashion and skills on the court will complement his new deal perfectly.
With a chance to make waves in the postseason in the weeks to come, everything is coming together for the MVP candidate in his sixth year in the league. A statement from Converse relayed by Forbes shed light on the partnership, and the line to come:
"Together, Shai and Converse will bring a hands-on approach to the creation, execution, and overall aesthetic of his collections, which will provide a new style-driven perspective, taking inspiration from various aspects of his life.”
Looking at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's signature shoe deal, and the recent shoes he's worn on-court
As previously mentioned, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's new multiyear deal with Converse will see him get his own signature shoe. While details about the shoes are scarce right now, reports have indicated that he and Converse will release his first signature shoe in 2025.
Since signing with Converse, SGA has worn several different iterations of Converse shoes on-court. Most recognizably, SGA has worn the Converse All-Star BB Prototype CX, which he notably scored a career-high 44 points while wearing.
In addition, he's also notably worn the Converse All-Star BB Trilliant CX more recently, with the shoe becoming a popular model among fans. In addition, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has served as the face of Converse's relaunch of their famed 'Weapon' shoe, popularized by Magic Johnson.
This year, during the NBA's All-Star weekend in Indiana, SGA led a Converse promotion as part of their "Create History, Not Hype" campaign. After releasing nearly 40 years ago at All-Star Weekend, the return of the Weapon marked a major moment for the shoe brand.
With the two sides prepared to grow and evolve the Converse Basketball brand together, it will be interesting to see what the next few years bring for SGA both on and off the court.