Matt Varga It was sadly a premature exit for Team USA 3×3 this past weekend. #1 ranked player in the world Jimmer Fredette suffered a major injury mid-tournament, and the lack of reinforcements behind him simply made for a steep uphill battle. We can certainly still celebrate their efforts though, and the footwear they rocked along the way. ANTA kitted out TEAM USA with special PEs of their foremost basketball silhouettes; the ANTA KAI 1, KAI 1 Speed, KT10 & Shock Wave Pro 6.
We’ll begin with the ANTA KAI 1, unsurprisingly still the star at ANTA Basketball. Irving’s signature was minted in two “Home” & “Away” style colorways in navy & white, bearing a slew of commemorative details across their profiles. A radial sun-like design makes multiple appearances, sliding next to the typical “IRVING” spell-out characters on the midfoot straps. Native-inspired graphic laces adorn either shoe and a translucent confetti-laden sole appears underfoot on both.
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 “Team USA” PE @weocia
From there, we have the ANTA KAI 1 Speed, a model that Irving sported during the NBA Finals and is reportedly Drederick Irving’s “signature shoe,” promised when his deal broke back in June. The two pairs on offer here reflect many of the same choices that marked the KAI, but apply ombres more liberally throughout the uppers. As this is only the second look we’ve gotten at the new silhouette, the compositional differences across the KAI 1 and its offshoot remain a point of interest. Weaving, line-heavy layers replace the intricate patterns of the Speed’s parent model. Opposing midsole & sole sections cross each other underfoot and the eyestays extend further down than on the KAI 1 proper.
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KAI 1 Speed “Team USA” PE @weocia
Keeping in the spirit of “first looks,” Klay Thompson’s upcoming 10th signature shoe, the KT10, appearing here ahead of an ostensible 2024-25 NBA season debut. An extended eyestay section that splits the shoe down the midfoot and security cables extending from it are the foremost design changes from Klay’s preceding model. Full performance details haven’t emerged yet, but the shoe looks plenty sleek in this do-up, keeping to a staid white composition save for the stars & stripes on the tongues and the trademark navy to white graphic that appears in reflective fashion on the midsole.
-
- ANTA KT10 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KT10 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KT10 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KT10 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA KT10 “Team USA” PE @weocia
ANTA’s mainline Shock Wave 6 rounds out this “collection,” and the dense geometry of this colorway is its main draw. From the synthetic “teeth” on the midsole to the geometric pattern carved into the heel counter to the patriotic sockliner pattern, the extremes are all decked out in eye-catching arrangements, all popping overlaid over a relatively staid navy mesh base.
-
- ANTA Shockwave Pro 6 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA Shockwave Pro 6 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA Shockwave Pro 6 “Team USA” PE @weocia
-
- ANTA Shockwave Pro 6 “Team USA” PE @weocia
Sadly, ANTA has confirmed that all of the footwear featured here will remain exclusive to Team USA. However, additional drops of the ANTA KAI 1 are still on tap for the rest of the year. While there’s no official word when the KT10, KAI 1 Speed or Shockwave 6 will hit the public, you can check our Sneaker Release Dates page as the year draws on for updated info as it emerges.
