ANTA Celebrates Kyrie Irving’s Birthday With The KAI 2 “Solar Return”

Chief Hélà rings in 34.

Matt Varga March 17th, 2025 (updated)

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The ANTA KAI 2 journey is already off to a rollicking start. After a powerful rookie season under the Chinese brand, demand has remained sky-high for his follow-up: the “Artist On Court” flew off shelves and currently commands more than double its retail on the grey market, an earnest accomplishment in today’s basketball shoes market. If there wasn’t already attention being paid to subsequent pairs, it adds an extra dose of anticipation, partially paid off with the ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return.”

Partnering retailer Sneaker Room briefly listed this colorway on their site before removing it in the time since. Still, in-hand shots reveal the shoe’s packaging, sporting Irving’s exact birth date on the lid interior. As for the shoe itself, while the shoe’s overtones lean stealthy rather than celebratory, a keen eye can pick out how this shoe embraces a more jubilant air.

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While pure black takes up most of the shoe’s body, the “reimagined” ANTA logo at the quarter executes pastel embroidery, a touch mirrored by polka dot detailing that creeps towards the toe and geometric patterns on the tongue and heel. Showcasing the Irving and the ANTA team’s continuing willingness to experiment on each new model, the embroidery that reaches from the eyelets to the shoe’s very rear “unspools” in the process, adding to the playful overall atmosphere on display.

Hibbett currently has the ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return” listed for a March 23rd release date, aligned with Kyrie Irving’s actual birthday. Should the particulars from the “Artist On Court” hold, retail should stay at $140. Catch detailed retailer shots included below and keep an eye on our Sneaker Release Dates page for further updates on this pair.

: ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return” Sneaker Room

: ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return” Sneaker Room

: ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return” Sneaker Room

: ANTA KAI 2 “Solar Return” Sneaker Room

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.