The Top 10 Sneakers of NBA Media Day

Listing the top ten basketball sneakers worn during 2023 NBA Media Day.

Pat Benson | Oct 3, 2023

The Top 10 Sneakers of NBA Media Day /

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Our love for the annual tradition of NBA Media Day grows a little stronger each year. Sure, we have compared it to the first day of school with the new faces, fresh haircuts, and new sneakers. However, the business event is getting sillier each year now that players are taking it less seriously.

We have all seen Miami Heat's forward Jimmy Butler's new "emo" look, and we salute him for his brooding authenticity. But our focus always remains on the players' footwear, and there were plenty of highlights yesterday. Below is the FanNation Kicks list of the top ten sneakers worn during 2023 NBA Media Day.

Scoot Henderson

Portland Trail Blazers rookie has taken an unconventional path to the NBA. That is perfect for PUMA, who signed the promising young player to a signature sneaker deal earlier this summer. On Monday morning, Henderson officially debuted his first signature sneaker - the PUMA Scoot Zeros.

The catchy name is a play on his first name and jersey number. Henderson will become the 7th player in NBA history to wear his own signature sneaker in his first rookie game. Luckily for athletes and fans, PUMA did not miss with the design. There is still no launch date or official details for the highly anticipated kicks.

Anthony Edwards

Henderson was not the only player to debut his first signature sneaker. Minnesota Timberwolves guard rode a wave into Media Day with his new jersey number and first signature hoop shoe with adidas.

Edwards wore the adidas AE 1 in the 'New Wave’ colorway. According to adidas, Edwards is the future of the game - and this colorway captures his revolutionary spirit and draws inspiration from his team colors. Adidas will announce more details about the AE 1 in December.

Stephen Curry

Last year, Stephen Curry and Under Armour celebrated a decade with the Curry Flow 10. The model was released in several fan-favorite colorways that commemorated Curry's decade of dominance.

However, the Golden State Warriors point guard wore his newest signature sneaker, the Curry 11, on Monday morning. We saw Curry debut the model earlier this summer at his annual camp in California. There are no official details on the unreleased hoop shoe yet, but fans should expect more news soon.

Victor Wembanyama

Regardless of what he accomplishes on the court, Victor Wembanyama will always be the biggest story. The 7'5" rookie showed up to San Antonio Spurs Media Day in a fresh pair of white and black Nike sneakers.

Wembanyama wore the Nike G.T. Hustle 2, which is available for $170 in adult sizes on the Nike website. The Spurs rookie will be the face of the Nike G.T. sneaker line for the upcoming season. From there, a signature sneaker line of his own feels like a safe bet.

Zion Williamson

Despite all of the drama and outside noise, Zion Williamson maintains his infectious smile at all times. We truly love to see it. The New Orleans Pelicans forward appears to be healthy and in great spirits for the start of the new season. On Monday morning, Williamson wore his third signature sneaker with Jordan Brand.

Unfortunately for online shoppers, the first few colorways of the Jordan Zion 3 have sold out quickly online. While we wait for the next colorway to drop, fans can purchase the Zion 2 at a discount on the Nike website. Let's hope Williamson makes hoops history in his newest signature sneaker this season.

Kevin Durant

The player with the second-longest running signature sneaker line made another footwear statement on Monday. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant showed off an all-red colorway of his 16th signature Nike basketball shoe.

Durant debuted the Nike KD 16 in limited colorways before the Suns' unceremonious playoff exit last spring. Luckily for athletes and fans, they can choose between multiple colorways of the Nike KD 16 for $160 in adult sizes on the Nike website.

Devin Booker

We all bit on a shot fake from Phoenix Suns shooting guard Devin Booker. Everyone expected Booker to wear his first signature Nike sneaker to Media Day. They have been revealed online and seen out in the wild many times over the summer.

Instead, Booker wore a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers in a traditional black and white colorway. Booker is extremely fond of the old-school sneaker, so why not? While we await the Nike Book 1 to release, fans can stock up on Booker's jerseys on the Nike website.

Kawhi Leonard

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is facing a make-or-break season. Leonard has one full year and then a player option left on his contract, and according to our math, is in the final year of his sneaker deal with New Balance.

Leonard debuted his third signature sneaker last season, which enjoyed a limited run. But the "fun guy" was back in the model in a clean Clippers-inspired colorway on Monday. Currently, there are no KAWHI 3's available on the New Balance website.

DeMar DeRozan

No player in the NBA is as closely tied to Kobe Bryant's signature Nike sneaker line as Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan. Many people consider the Los Angeles legend the torchbearer of the Kobe line.

However, DeRozan broke with his own tradition and wore the Nike Air More Uptempo in the "Chicago" colorway to the Bulls Media Day. It is nearly impossible to buy Kobe's sneakers at retail prices online. But online shoppers should have no problem finding some Uptempo sneakers they like on the Nike website.

Rui Hachimura

There was plenty of heat at the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day. In fact, we could dedicate an entire article to it. But Lakers forward Rui Hachimura takes the cake with his retro Air Jordan 12 sneakers.

Hachimura wore the Air Jordan 12 in the '25 Years in China' colorway. Best of all, online shoppers can find the retro kicks at a fairly affordable price on the sneaker resale website GOAT as long as supplies last.

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Published Oct 3, 2023

PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.