Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images, Reuters Images Kids are returning to school, which means basketball is on its way for students just like it is for NBA athletes. As kids get ready to compete this year, there’s one thing that’s just as important as the hours spent practicing in the gym: the shoes. NBA legend Michael Jordan’s signature shoes were a cultural touchstone, and now an unprecedented number of NBA players have thier own kicks. Here’s a list of five shoes young athletes are chomping at the bit to rock on the hardwood this season. Nike LeBron 24 Many fans were stunned when The King chose to sign with the Sixers for what’s widely expected to be the swan song of his career. Nonetheless, he’ll be spending his 24th season as a professional in the City of Brotherly Love, which means he’ll be wearing his 24th signature sneaker with Nike. The shoes were officially unveiled on Wednesday, and James is definitely embracing the youth movement that brought him to Philly. This iteration of the King’s signature sneakers features an innovative “KingKnit” material that makes the shoe the lightest in James’ signature line. The model also features a carbon fiber shank for midfoot support and a trimmed-down sole, making for an altogether slimmer silhouette than the bulkier models James’ line is known for.
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The LeBron 24 releases on November 17 and will retail for $200 Adidas Believe That 1 Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is one of the most exciting young stars, and that excitement is felt in his signature shoes with Adidas. His ANTHONY EDWARDS flagship line has been extremely popular. So popular, in fact, that late last season he debuted a secondary line: Believe That. “More than just another shoe, the Believe That 1 is an invitation to the next generation to step into my world. This is for the hoopers who are putting in the work every day trying to reach new heights. Believe That,” Edwards said in the press release. The Believe That 1 features a direct-injected TPU panel that delivers support on both sides of the foot and Adidas’ “Dreamstrike” cushioning, which provides elite cushioning, shock absorption, and flexibility.
The Believe That 1 is already available and retails for $100. ANTA KAI 3 Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving missed all of last season as he focused on his recovery from a devastating ACL injury. However, that doesn’t mean his signature shoe line took any time off. After being one of Nike’s most popular signature athletes to start his career, Irving’s signature shoe line now comes courtesy of the Chinese brand ANTA, and it’s among the best performers on the market. The third model in Irving’s flagship signature line, the KAI 3, is built for Irving’s quick bursts and shiftiness, with some of the best traction you’ll find and the perfect blend of responsiveness and cushion that every guard needs to get to the cup. With an attention to detail that even Irving’s role model, Kobe Bryant, would respect, these shoes are a must-have for the hooping rotation for any guard.
The KAI 3 has already been released and retails for $135. Jordan Air Jordan 41 Michael Jordan is the most legendary hooper of all time, which is why his flagship line has continued releasing long after his playing career finished. The 41st iteration of His Airness’s signature model is arriving this summer and things have come long way from the leather Air Jordan 1 days, featuring a very sleek, modern and lightweight build. The Air Jordan 41 features a woven upper that offers ultimate breathability and has a stretch bootie collar for top-notch foot-security. Cushioning is where the Air Jordan 41 really shines, bringing a full-length Cushlon 3.0 midsole carries a ZoomX unit in the forefoot, Zoom Air in the heel, and a full-length Zoom Air Strobel underfoot for extreme responsiveness.
The Air Jordan 41 debuts this year in three colorways Holiday 2026 $205 pic.twitter.com/TflAmiBU3C — JustFreshKicks (@JustFreshKicks) July 18, 2026
The Air Jordan is expected in August and will retail for $205 Nike Caitlin 1 Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark might be the biggest name in basketball this side of LeBron James. Clark’s popularity has made her a force to be reckoned with when it comes to television ratings, and Nike can rest easy knowing that popularity will almost certainly make her debut signature shoes some of the most sought-after debut kicks ever. The Caitlin 1s are tailored for Clark’s earth-shattering range and vision, with a responsive Air Zoom Turbo unit for support and a Nike Opticast upper, making it the first basketball shoe to ever use the new technology. These will probably be the hardest shoes to get on this list, but they’ll be well worth it for anyone who can.
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The Caitlin 1s release on October 1 and will retail for $140. The post Five best basketball shoes entering the 2026-27 NBA season appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.