31
Mar
Footwear Focus
This week in kicks: Trezz's love affair with Reebok
Montrezl Harrell's one-of-a-kind customised shoes with Reebok Australia. Photo: @reebokau_nz and @theshoeshaper Instagram
A Lakers star's special reveal and the Point God reps shoes of former protege in this week in kicks.
At their best, sneakers are wearable stories, a fashion-forward way to communicate ideas through footwear.
This week, it was a Lakers star announcing major family news through his kicks, while an All-Star veteran rocked the signature shoes of his former protege.
Plus, it was tough news for Australian footwear fanatics, with the news that a beloved customisation site was sent to the big sneaker store in the sky.
CP3 dons protege’s shoes
Chris Paul is one of the most iconic point guards in NBA history, a 20-year veteran and 12-time All-Star who has been signed to Jordan Brand from his very first day in the league.
But ahead of San Antonio’s clash against Toronto this week, the Point God arrived not in a pair of Jordans, but in the debut signature shoe of his former protege Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With Paul 12 signature shoes deep with Jumpman, he instead showed love to the current MVP favourite and former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate SGA, rocking the sand-coloured kicks.
But it was all business as usual once the game started, with the Spurs veteran lacing up his CP3.XII in a 34-point win over the Raptors.
Reebok go custom for Trezz
Montrezl Harrell’s love affair with the Reebok Engine A continues, this week teaming up with one of Australia’s best sneaker customisers to deliver a truly one-of-one pair.
The 2024/25 Adelaide 36ers import collaborated with The Shoe Shaper to cook up a Cartoon Network inspired pair of the new Reebok performance model, the silver base colourway featuring art from Codename: Kids Next Door, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Yu-Gi-Oh! and more.
The video posted in collaboration with the customiser, Reebok, and Harrell himself shows the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year giving his input into the design process, stating his love of older movies and cartoon shows that ultimately inspired the design.
Currently playing for Chinese team the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, not only is Harrell’s link-up a cool moment for sneaker fans, but it also could hint at the star making a return to Australia next season.
Lakers host sneaker gender Reaves-eal
Being an NBA player comes with certain perks, and Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves took full advantage of one of these this week, when he used his game against the Indiana Pacers as a gender reveal for his brother.
Reaves, a current signature athlete for Chinese brand Rigorer, took to the Indianapolis floor in a pair of light pink shoes - not just a fashion statement, but a reveal to his brother that their upcoming child would be a daughter.
The Lakers star is currently on his first signature shoe, the Rigorer AR1, but it’s unlikely that any colourway has meant more to Reaves than this, an incredibly unique way to break family news.
He is one of a growing number of NBA players to switch to the Chinese brand, a group that also includes Warriors young gun Brandin Podziemski and Grizzlies rising star GG Jackson.
Australia loses Nike By You
Australian sneaker fans will pour one out this week, after news broke that Nike’s customisation service ‘Nike By You’ would be packing up shop down under.
Formerly NikeiD, the program allowed consumers to fully customise colours and materials across some of the brand's most iconic silhouettes, an easy way for sneakerheads to burn hours of time.
According to an email sent out by Nike, the last day for Australian fans to order Nike By You products will be April 6 at 11:59 p.m. AEST, meaning there is roughly a week remaining to fullfil all of your customisation dreams.
Vale Nike By You, Australia’s sneakerhead community salutes you.
FIT OF THE WEEK: Patty Mills
Every week, we’ll pick one Aussie or Aussie-adjacent hooper who has put together the fit of the week.
Patty’s fits have been on another level this season, but this preppy get-up with a varsity jacket and trucker hat might be his best work yet.
POST-CREDIT SCENES
The best bits that didn’t quite make the cut.
- Jewell Lloyd gets her own Nike Zoom GT Cut 3
- Mookie Betts opens MLB season in Nigel Sylvester Jordan 4s
- Alex de Minaur headlines ASICS x A.P.C. collaboration
About the Author
Jed Wells is a basketball, fashion and culture writer based out of Sydney, Australia, with a keen interest on the sneaker industry both on and off the court. He is still waiting for his own signature shoe.