Matt Varga How far off is the ANTA KAI 2? If the Chinese giant is operating on the traditional one-year lifespan, it’s likely closer than you think — the anniversary of the “Artist on Court” is just a couple of months away at the time of this writing. As we start thinking about sunset for the highly-successful debut model, evidently Kyrie and the ANTA team are in a retrospective mood as well, outfitting the KAI 1 in dusky “Duke” colors.
Our dedicated readership will know this isn’t the first time that Irving’s Duke days have graced his latest signature, as one of the looks he closed out 2024 with embraced the same concept. With that shoe officially titled the “11 Days,” the narrative at play here isn’t just remembering Kyrie’s time at Duke, but recalling just how short it was — a toe injury held him out of the bulk of that season, leaving just (you guessed it) 11 games on the schedule for the phenom, a limited sample that he still leveraged into a #1 overall selection.
Some 14 seasons later, the ANTA KAI 1 “Duke” serendipitously lines up with Irving’s Mavericks wear, but the Durham connection is clear all the same. The muted royal blue and black tones that dominate much of the shoe make the silver accents that flare on the heel and midfoot shank some of the few eye-catching sections, a rare statement when it comes to Kyrie Irving shoes with ANTA.
The ANTA KAI 1 “Duke” has already released via ANTA Philippines ($125), leaving a stateside release unclear for the moment. If this pair has truly caught your eye, grey market sites like Kicks Screw already have the pair available — check for links under “Where To Buy” just ahead. Otherwise, keep watch on our Sneaker Release Dates page for additional updates as we track this pair’s launch details.
WHERE TO BUY
Mens ANTA KAI 1 Speed "Duke"
US 2026
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| KICKS CREW | Aftermarket | Aftermarket |
