Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Signs Signature Deal with Converse
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, GQ's most stylish man of the year, has renewed his partnership with Converse. This collaboration includes a signature shoe and the Creative Director of Basketball title....
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just one of the best basketball players in the league but also one of the most marketable and stylish players in the league currently. At just 25 years old, Shai is already building his personal brand off the court with him becoming the face of SKIMS for the partnership with the NBA and recently partnering with Mercedes AMG.
On the court, Oklahoma City's superstar is in the running for the MVP award and will surely have a top three finish after placing fifth for last season's award. Gilgeous-Alexander initially joined the Converse roster in the summer of 2020 and has just signed an extension contract which includes him having his first signature shoe debut in 2025, as well as receiving the title of Creative Director of Converse Basketball.
By nature, Gilgeous-Alexander is known for wanting to pave his own way and not take the traditional route. He takes his style very seriously and has already earned the title of GQ's Most Stylish Man of the Year in 2022 at just 23 years old, so he’s well placed for the Creative Director of basketball role. He’s already shown a glimpse of what he can do with his recent Converse Shai Run Star Motion Platform shoe.
There’s a rich history of Converse’s impact on the game of basketball, beginning well before Gilgeous-Alexander was born. In 1917, Converse introduced the All Star basketball shoe, which would become one of the most iconic and enduring sneaker designs in history. The All Star was one of the first shoes specifically designed for basketball players. Basketball legends such as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were also signed to the sneaker brand which is regarded as one of the most impactful basketball partnerships of all time.
Converse has expanded its reach beyond basketball becoming a cultural icon worn by musicians, artists, and fashion enthusiasts around the world. As the brand's appeal broadened, its basketball identity decreased. This collaboration is a win-win for both parties involved. For Converse, aligning with a young and dynamic talent like Gilgeous-Alexander helps to rejuvenate the brand and appeal to a new generation of consumers. For Gilgeous-Alexander, the partnership provides an unprecedented platform to showcase his creativity and influence in shaping the future of sneaker culture as his brand continues to grow.
"The exclusiveness of the brand, not having so many guys, and the ability to express myself on and off the court in so many different ways appeals to me so much. The biggest thing early on is I've been able to bring my ideas and my creativity to life. That's something that not a lot of players in the NBA get to do.” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
We are currently in a new era of athlete endorsements, where athletes are not just endorsers of the brands but also collaborators. Last year, Kyrie Irving signed with leading Chinese sportswear brand, Anta and received the title of Chief Creative Officer. Brands should allow their athletes to leverage their unique perspective as both an athlete and a creative individual, bridging the worlds of sports, fashion, and culture.