LeBron James

LeBron James is a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Akron, Ohio on December 30th, 1984, he is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history.

Currently in his 21st professional season, James was the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, getting selected by none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Prior to entering the League, he was a top high school prospect in the U.S.A., leading him to skip college and enter the professional scene directly after his senior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Ohio. Additionally, NIKE, Inc. recognized young LeBron’s talent, offering him a seven-year, $90 million USD endorsement deal before “the kid from Akron” played a single NBA game.

Between 2003 and 2010, James played for the Cavs, going on to be the franchise’s first player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. LBJ also earned a number of other accolades, including multiple NBA All-Star selections, Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Scoring champion. Throughout his first seven seasons, LBJ released seven signature shoes under the Nike LeBron banner. The Nike Air Zoom Generation led the charge, while the Nike LeBron 7 bookmarked his last season in Cleveland before taking his talents to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat.

In a televised event known as “The Decision” held on July 8th, 2010, James announced that he’d be leaving his hometown team to play alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in South Florida. Cleveland fans were not happy, but a move to the Heat enabled new possibilities for LeBron’s basketball shoe line. Led by Senior Footwear Designer Jason Petrie, the Nike LeBron 8 introduced new applications of Flywire technology and Nike Max Air 360 cushioning, as well as handfuls of Miami-inspired colorways. One of the sneaker’s most-coveted styles is “Pink Flash/Filament Green/Black” option dubbed “South Beach.” As would be the case with the subsequent Nike LeBron 9 to the 11, James’ eighth signature sneaker had various iterations that emerged during the main model’s life-cycle (mainly “Low” versions). The NBA Playoffs occasionally ushered in “Elite” editions of LBJ’s current shoe, which offered higher-quality materials (e.g. carbon fiber) for a higher price tag.

LeBron returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, after having won two NBA Championships with the Heat. Back in Ohio, James pledged to bring a title to the city, and he embarked on that journey with a 22-year-old Kyrie Irving. During his second tenure with the Cavs, “the kid from Akron” debuted five signature sneakers–the Nike LeBron 12 to the Nike LeBron 16. Yet, he wore the Nike LeBron Soldier 10 during the 2016 NBA Finals on his way to secure his third ring. (The Soldier series started in 2007 and has historically featured lockdown straps across a stripped-down upper. A “takedown” line–the Nike LeBron Witness–began in 2016, but hasn’t been worn in game.)

NIKE, Inc. and James unveiled the 17th sneaker in the LeBron collection ahead of the Ohio-native joining the Los Angeles Lakers on July 1st, 2018. Spearheaded by Petrie, the Nike LeBron 17 featured the biggest heel Max Air unit in a basketball shoe; Zoom Air pods in the forefoot; and a lightweight, but durable Knitposite (Flyknit combined with Foamposite). Unsurprisingly, a handful of LA-inspired colorways appeared on the sneaker throughout its lifecycle. A succeeding low-top version and the Nike LeBron 18 (the model he wore in winning his fourth NBA title in the 2019-20 NBA season) have followed suit, as is likely of King James’ 19th Nike shoe, whenever it debuts.

LeBron James’ sneaker legacy is extensive. Although retros of his Nike LeBron series have been performance-basketball-focused, they’ve garnered some interest in the lifestyle space. Having signed a lifetime contract with the Swoosh in 2016, the now-38-year-old will continue being a force within the signature athlete world, garnering attention for both his own products and those of his NIKE, Inc. extended family. James has been vocal about his love of Nike Air Max, which has led to special releases and Player-Exclusive (PE) pairs. All of his LeBrons have utilized Air-cushioning, and have led to advancements in the development and implementation of a technology originally created by Frank Rudy in 1978. Furthermore, exclusive colorways of James’ signature sneakers from 2009 to 2012 are often credited as having begun a widespread obsession with ultra-rare (i.e. one-of-one, PE, Friends & Family) basketball shoes. A few pairs of note include the LeBron 8 “MVP” and LeBron 9 “Watch The Throne.”

Now proffering the Beaverton-based brand’s longest running signature series, Jason Petrie headed an entirely new design process for LeBron’s 20th signature silhouette, inspired and tooled for the youth. With James’ sons Bronny and Bryce rising the ranks as some of the top hoopers in their respective classes, the Nike LeBron 20 became the first silhouette in his line to debut as a low-top, catering toward the next generation with doubled-up Air Zoom units and a breathable dimensional mesh upper.

Following up on the success of his first low-top silhouette, Nike continued the theme with a more premium aesthetic geared around the LeBron 21. Taking after the protective elements of an oyster shell that houses a pearl, the Nike LeBron 21 boats a buttery leather upper with lock down cables and a litany of mollusk inspirations. Underfoot, the silhouette follows the same exact recipe as the 20 featuring a top-loaded Zoom Air unit at the heel that sits within a full-length Cushlon 2.0 foam footbed.

As his game continues to age like a fine wine, so does The King’s on-court propositions, which you can learn more about via the stories below.

LeBron James

LeBron James And Maverick Carter’s UNINTERRUPTED Platform Gets A Nike Collaboration

Seven years ago LeBron James and his longtime friend and business partner Maverick Carter launched UNINTERRUPTED, a digital media company focused on creating a welcoming,...

By Jared Ebanks March 24, 2023
13261

Where To Buy The Nike Air Zoom Generation “First Home Game”

While the NBA was introduced to an 18-year-old LeBron James in October of 2003, it wasn’t until the following week on November 5th when the...

By Jared Ebanks March 17, 2023
5606

A Look Back At A Decade Of Nike’s Black History Month Collection

Each February since 2005 Nike has celebrated both the advancements and heritage of African-Americans through the brand’s universal language, kicks. What once was a simplistic...

By Jared Ebanks February 28, 2023
4518

LeBron James Takes The Throne As The NBA’s All-Time Scoring Leader

The Buckeye state knew before anyone else, LeBron James was fit to be a King. Anointed as royalty with the very beginnings of peach fuzz...

By Jared Ebanks February 7, 2023
1503

“Laser Orange” Envelops The Latest Nike LeBron 20

This week LeBron James will become the NBA’s All-Time Points Leader, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for one of the single greatest feats in all of sports...

By Jared Ebanks February 6, 2023
12365

Nike Basketball’s “What The” Era Touches Down On The Nike LeBron Witness 7

From the Zoom Soldier to the recently unveiled NXXT Gen, LeBron James brand with The Swoosh has always proffered a cost-effective option to the vast...

By Jared Ebanks January 31, 2023
3633

Nike Officially Unveils The FaZe Clan x Nike LeBron NXXT Gen

While LeBron James continues to dominate the League in his 20th signature silhouette, his son Bronny has meanwhile been dropping buckets across the country for...

By Jared Ebanks January 27, 2023
18443

Official Images Of The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen “I Promise”

At 38 years of age, LeBron James seems to be breaking records on a weekly basis – becoming the first player to make nine plus...

By Jared Ebanks January 27, 2023
21657

Official Images Of The Nike LeBron 20 “All-Star”

LeBron James is just 158 points shy of surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s All-Time Points Leader. While the League, fans and everyone in...

By Jared Ebanks January 26, 2023
57957