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The next chapter for adidas Basketball is on the horizon as Anthony Edwards becomes the newest member of adidas’ signature basketball athletes.
“Growing up how I grew up, it was hard, so having my own shoe is dope,” Anthony Edwards said on becoming a signature athlete with the adidas AE 1.
RELATED: Anthony Edwards Wants Kevin Durant to Play in His Shoe
Edwards and the AE line join a long-list of high-profile guard Three Stripes guards with Derrick Rose, Damian Lillard, James Harden, Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young. The brand, of course, has been a part of the greatness that Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas and Tracy McGrady displayed throughout moments in their careers.
[The AE 1 is] the beginning of the confident, progressive footwear that we’re going to start doing.
Patrick Zempolich, footwear designer for adidas Basketball
But for adidas, the AE 1 is a catalyst for the brand’s new identity in the performance basketball space.
With an explosive player filled with confidence who exudes hustle and heart on both ends of the court, Edwards arrived at the perfect time as adidas Basketball looks toward the future.
“[The adidas AE 1] is meant to epitomize the new era of adidas basketball,” Patrick Zempolich, footwear designer for adidas Basketball, said. “That’s why it’s so forward-leaning, so progressive. It’s definitely the start of a new approach in general, but we’re going to lead it with Anthony Edwards.”
The adidas AE 1’s Generative Support Wing adds stability, containment and breathability with its distinct TPU design. Additionally, it introduces a full-length, TPU-encased Jet Boost technology paired with small energy capsules that provide cushion and energy return. And finally, a herringbone outsole brings the shoe together with superior traction.
Though the AE 1’s design is futuristic in nature, the spirt of adidas Basketball’s rich past is embedded into the ethos of Edwards’ debut signature shoe by striving to captivate consumers with a fashion and performance-forward design, akin to the adidas Feet You Wear and the adidas Crazy line (formerly known as the adidas Kobe line).
And as confident and expressive Edwards is, the AE 1’s design perfectly draws from his personality and play without overdoing it.
“It’s a fine line of creating footwear that obviously is confident but doesn’t have as many distractions, and the AE 1 does a good job of that,” Zempolich stated. “Yes, super confident, super loud, but then you zoom out, and it’s very digestible and simple.”
Continuing that confidence, the Minnesota Timberwolves star wants one of Nike’s lifetime athletes to sport a pair on-court.
“I want to see [KD] put on the AE one time in game,” Edwards said with conviction. “And he’s with Nike.”
Zempolich went on to add that Edwards wanted something that looked unlike anything else in the market. Point in case as Edwards and adidas began the AE 1 rollout out by throwing shade at other NBA signature shoes.
“[The AE 1 is] the beginning of the confident, progressive footwear that we’re going to start doing,” Zempolich said.
And it all starts with Anthony Edwards. Believe That.
The inaugural Anthony Edwards signature adidas shoe releases this December (release details below) and Edwards aims for the shoes to be a hot commodity amongst sneaker collectors, similar to Air Jordans.
“I want y’all to sit outside for these AEs how y’all sit outside for them Jordans,” Edwards said. “Come shop with me.”
The adidas AE 1 “With Love” releases for $120 on December 16, 2023, at adidas.com and select retailers.
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