'Shoe-ins': Australian player sneaker, brand deals

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Several Australian men's basketballers in the NBA have shoe deals including Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Australian-born Kyrie Irving.

Shoe deals have been part and parcel of the NBA since the 1950s with Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy the first with PF Flyers releasing the Bob Cousy in 1958.

Since then almost every major NBA star has been endorsed by a major brand and had their own signature shoe including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and a variety of NBA stars in the 1980s sported Converse Weapons, including Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Modern era Aussies in the NBA also have their own shoe deals but it's only Irving who has his own signature shoe ... for now.

Australians with shoe deals

Kyrie Irving — ANTA Sneakers

The 33-year-old Melbourne-born NBA superstar signed with Chinese brand ANTA in 2023 after leaving Nike in controversial circumstances. The Nike deal was reportedly worth about $11 million USD per year. The amount he signed for has not been released. The latest release is the ANTA KAI 1 Chief Hélà "Crown Jewel" colourway. As part of the Hélà launch, ANTA said: "His new Hélà sneakers even feature three different coloured laces, symbolising tribal, fashion, and ethnic elements. Kyrie’s influence as (chief creative officer) has extended beyond the sports arena into a holistic lifestyle brand, ensuring that his creativity is deeply embedded in ANTA’s future."

WNBA All-Star Brittney Sykes, who plays for the Seattle Storm, unveiled the "Crown Jewel" during All-Star Weekend on July 19. She regularly wears the Kai 2 "Solar Return" during the 2025 WNBA regular season. As part of the announcement he signed with ANTA, Irving said: “(It was) more than just a realisation of my dreams ... (it's) the perfect opportunity for me, an individual who always dreams big and values independent thinking, to leverage my artistic talents to build, create, and unify the culture both on and off court."

Josh Giddey — PUMA

Chicago Bulls and Australian Boomers point guard Josh Giddey, in the middle of a difficult contract negotiation with the six-time NBA champions, signed a multi-year shoe deal with PUMA in July 2025. Before the PUMA deal, the 22-year-old Melbourne-born star wore Kobes. PUMA is back in the basketball shoe game with Giddey joining a stable of other NBA stars including Tyrese Haliburton, former Illawarra Hawks guard LaMelo Ball, Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson, Michael Porter Jr., and Marvin Bagley III. Giddey's shoe deal doesn't include a signature sneaker ... yet.

In the 2025-26 season, Giddey it's uncertain which shoe he will wear but if Tyrese Haliburton's signature shoe is anything to go by, they will be lit.

Goat.com.au describes the Tyrese Haliburton x All-Pro Nitro 'Indiana Pacers': "(They) presents PE colourway finished in the signature colours of Indianapolis' NBA franchise. A cord lock-down lacing system secures the navy engineered mesh upper, accented with yellow pinstripe detailing and a PUMA Formstrip in matching yellow. A dual-density NITRO SQD foam midsole combines soft cushioning with a firm outer layer for targeted lateral stability."

Dyson Daniels — Adidas

Dyson Daniels, the 2024-25 NBA Most Improved Player, will Adidas for at least the next four years after inking a long-term deal in April 2025.

Atlanta Hawks and Australian Boomer star Daniels, 22, was in the midst of a historic defensive season when he put pen to paper. The deal hasn't included a signature shoe deal ... yet. He was a Nike athlete for two years before switching to Adidas. After the 2025 NBA All-Star break Daniels laced up a pair of Dame 9s.

Before the All-Star break, Daniels was wearing a pair of Dame 9 "Egg Nogs" that adidas describe: "With a sleek, low-profile silhouette, the upper consists of synthetic and textile materials reinforced with overlays and mesh vent panels, offering a streamlined yet supportive build."

Ben Simmons — Nike (expiring)

Free agent Ben Simmons' three-year extension signed with Nike in 2022 expires this year. Much like his existing contract status the former NBA All-Star is between deals. Simmons, 29, laced up a pair of Nike Air Zoom G.T. Hustle 2 All Stars red and and white colourways in the 2025 NBA playoffs. This model is a tip of the hat to the famous Nike Uptempo's oversized "AIR" lettering on the side panels, a design popularised in the mid-90s and famously worn by Scottie Pippen during the Chicago Bulls’ championship run.

Where Simmons ends up in 2025-26 from both a team and shoe perspective is still a TBA.

Johnny Furphy — PUMA

The owner of one of the famous dunks in Australian NBA history Johnny Furphy did it in a pair of Puma All-Pro Nitro Elites. Furphy has reportedly signed with PUMA, joining Josh Giddey on their roster. Germany's Dennis Schroder has also worn the Nitros.

PUMA describes them as: "A dual-density, nitrogen-injected foam system pairs a softer core for plush impact protection with a firmer EVA rim for enhanced stability and energy return. Designed to deliver a responsive 'drop-in' feel that’s well-balanced for explosive first steps and sustained performance."

Patty Mills — Under Armour

"FIBA" Patty Mills launched a signature shoe with Under Armour in 2023. Two years ago, Mills and Under Armour first collaborated on the The Patty Mills x UA Flow FUTR X3 shoe.

"I put a lot of heart and soul into designing these. My totem has become a symbol of protection and strength to help me navigate through my basketball journey," Mills said at the time. The National Indigenous Times reported: "The resilience of the Murray Island green turtle has a significant meaning, migrating long distances between feeding grounds and the places where they hatched. The turtle has inspired Mills' family and Indigenous community for many generations."

Josh Green — Skechers

Charlotte Hornets and Australian Boomers wing Josh Green signed with Skechers in February 2025. Green, 24, had won various Nike sneakers for the first part of his career but in November 2024 switched to Skechers SKX Nexus, SKX Resagrip Low, and SKX Float. A few months later, he signed with the brand. Skechers jumped into the NBA market in 2022 signing Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle, Terrance Mann and then shortly after former NBA MVP Joel Embiid.

The Skechers SKX Resagrip are touted as a standout entry in the performance space — optimised for quick, agile play. Skechers boast they have "standout cushioning, supportive design, and reliable traction, it’s a compelling choice for guard players looking for speed-oriented footwear."

Joe Ingles — Nike

And that brings us to Australian Boomers legend Joe Ingles. The 37-year-old three-point shooter has worn the same discontinued pair of Nike Kobe 4s and Nike Kobe A.D Mid's literally for years, even after they were first discontinued. ESPN reported in August 2020: "The Nike Kobe A.D. Mid, Ingles' shoe of choice, was originally released in August 2017. Ingles has worn it for each of his 162 games over the past two seasons, despite the fact that it hasn't been manufactured since the 2017-18 season. Wearing a discontinued model was already a challenge, but all Kobe Bryant-related merchandise became harder to come by after the NBA legend's death." Luckily for Ingles, Nike has re-released a variety of versions of the mid-cut 4s since 2020.

Goat.com.au describes the Protro 4s: "The Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro ‘Mambacita,’ also known as 'Gigi,' brings back Kobe Bryant’s fourth signature model in a special-edition colourway that celebrates the memory of Gigi Bryant. Dressed in the signature colours of Team Mamba, Gigi’s AAU squad, the white synthetic leather upper is accented with a contrasting black Swoosh, a decorative black-on-white grid pattern on the heel overlay, and a ‘Gigi’ word-mark embroidered on the back tab. Kobe’s personal logo adorns the tongue in a dull gold hue, matching the ‘2’ — Gigi’s jersey number — stamped on the moulded heel counter. The sneaker is mounted on a two-tone Phylon midsole, fitted with a large-volume Zoom Air unit in the heel."

About the Author

Peter Brown is the head coach of the Sydney Comets Women’s Youth League team in the Waratah Basketball League in NSW. He is also the assistant coach for the Comets NBL1 women’s team in the NBL East Conference. Peter is a 30-year journalist, starting as a sports reporter at the NT News in the early 1990s. He played junior basketball for the Northern Territory at national championships from U16 to U20 and for the Territory’s senior men’s team at numerous international tournaments. Peter has been a basketball fan since the early 80s, especially the NBA. Basketball is his passion — and his opinions his own. Email peter.brown@basketball.com.au with feedback. Any email feedback on articles sent to Peter can be published on basketball.com.au for others to read.