Anything less than gold for the USA Basketball Men’s National Team is deemed a failure—as it were in 2023’s showing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup where Team USA missed the final spot on the podium after losing to Team Canada. In response, LeBron “Captain LeMerica” James assembled his own team of “Avengers”, calling on the sport and this generation’s greatest.

The outcome was—in the words of Thanos, “inevitable.” Yet the opportunity to witness LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry share the court as teammates for the first, and potentially last, time was akin to the spectacle of the 1992 Dream Team.

The United States extended its Olympic gold medal streak to five consecutive triumphs with a decisive 98–87 victory over France in the Paris 2024 final. Curry’s eight three-pointers, culminating in a game-high 24 points, secured his first Olympic gold; and Durant etched his name in history as the first men’s basketball player to claim four Olympic gold medals.

Basketball and sneaker culture will always be tethered. As the world’s eyes were fixed on Team USA’s games, discerning fans were equally captivated by the footwear choices of its star-studded roster.

The team’s path to gold was paved by Nike, adidas, Under Armour, and Skechers. As expected, the most high-profile members wore their signature shoes, but new PEs, silhouettes, and colorways were also debuted on the grandest stage of international basketball.

For the official ceremonies, Nike-endorsed athletes unified their footwear choices, donning the Air Max Dn “USA” model as part of the team’s official uniform, with the rest representing their respective brands.

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LeBron James

Nike LeBron 22 “USA” PE

LeBron James stands as an unparalleled figure in the realm of signature footwear, boasting an unprecedented twenty-two namesake models while still an active player. A distinction shared by no other athlete, not even Michael Jordan, being years removed from the game by the time the Air Jordan 22 was released in 2007.

The Nike LeBron 22, unveiled at the 2024 Olympics in a patriotic color palette, marks the latest chapter in this lifetime partnership between the King and the Swoosh. While the two “USA” colorways may be a Player Exclusive for now, the shoe’s official release is scheduled for late September at a retail price of US$200.

The King made a dramatic entrance, donning an iridescent blue colorway of the Nike LeBron 22 PE for warm-ups before switching to a dazzling gold version for the championship game. The strategic shift added an extra layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated matchup.

Kevin Durant

Nike KD 17 “USA”

Kevin Durant and Nike have been inextricably intertwined for over a decade. The forthcoming Nike KD 17, adorned in the patriotic hues of the United States, marks the seventeenth installment in this lifetime partnership. AKA the Slim Reaper’s consistent excellence on the international stage, attested to by his status as USABMNT’s all-time leading scorer, has cemented his place in the basketball pantheon.

The featured footwear below is currently available for purchase at Nike’s brick-and-click stores at a retail price of US$150.

Durant, a historic four-time Olympic gold medalist, wore a Nike KD 17 PE featuring a regal, gold finish on the heel and tongue for the championship game.

Stephen Curry

Under Armour Curry 12 “Team USA”

Despite a trophy cabinet brimming with accolades, there’s always space for an Olympic medal. Preferably in gold to match all his other hardware. En route to acquiring one, Stephen Curry donned dual “Team USA” colors for his Under Armour Curry 12. The pairs will be launching on 14 August with a wider global release scheduled for the fall.

Curry delivered the coup de grâce to Team France, showcasing the darker colorway of his Under Armour Curry 12 “Team USA”.

Jayson Tatum

Jordan Tatum 3 “Olympic” PE

Less than four months after the official launch of the Jordan Tatum 2, Jayson Tatum, the recently crowned NBA champion, unveiled the Jordan Tatum 3 during the victory over Brazil, and increased the pair’s profile during the gold medal game.

Evoking a nostalgic charm reminiscent of iconic models like the Reebok Shaqnosis and Nike Air Pippen 1, the Jordan Tatum 3 has garnered early acclaim for its retro-inspired design. A firm release date remains elusive, but the pair is expected to hit stores in October, retailing at US$125 for adult sizes.

Anthony Edwards

adidas AE 1 Low “USA”

Anthony Edwards, the sole adidas athlete on the Team USA roster, has become a focal point for the brand as they seek to elevate the burgeoning star’s profile. Edwards made a statement by debuting the first of three planned “USA” colorways of the adidas AE 1 Low. While official release dates have yet to be confirmed, they are anticipated to launch in late summer or early fall, retailing at US$110 for adult sizes.

Devin Booker

Nike Book 1 “USA”

The Nike Book 1 has elicited a spectrum of opinions since its debut, with critics divided on its minimalist aesthetic. While some appreciate the shoe’s versatility, others find it aesthetically underwhelming. The “USA” colorway’s navy foundation and red Swoosh aligns with the model’s understated design language.

In comparison to the flamboyant color palettes favored by fellow Nike athletes, the Book 1’s patriotic rendition may appear somewhat subdued. However, the model’s potential for redemption lies in the previously released player-exclusive colorways, which drew inspiration from iconic predecessors like the “Shattered Backboard” Jordan and the “Forrest Gump” Cortez.

These limited editions showcased the shoe’s design capabilities, hinting at a broader creative potential yet to be fully realized.

Booker graced the court with a special Nike Book 1 PE featuring thematic gold Swooshes for the championship showdown.

Joel Embiid

Skechers SKX Float

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has propelled Skechers into the international spotlight. Since inking a deal with the brand earlier this year, the former MVP has significantly elevated the company’s profile.

Embiid’s selection of player-exclusive navy and red colorways for the Skechers SKX Float during the Olympic Games significantly elevated the brand’s profile. The center donned the black variant of the shoe for the gold medal game.

Currently available for purchase on the Skechers website, the adult sizes of the SKX Float is retailing at US$140.

Anthony Davis

Nike LeBron 21 “USA” PE

Anthony Davis has consistently demonstrated a commitment to teamwork, a quality exemplified in his footwear choices. The Los Angeles Lakers center has opted to showcase the Nike LeBron 21 in exclusive colorways throughout the Paris Olympics.

While AD’s loyalty to his Lakers and Team USA teammate is commendable, a broader range of footwear selections would have offered a more dynamic visual representation of his storied career with Team USA. The opportunity to revisit iconic models from previous campaigns could have elevated his on-court aesthetic.

For the gold medal game, Davis opted for a reverse colorway of Nike LeBron 21 “USA” PE, aligning with Team USA’s navy jerseys.

Bam Adebayo

Nike Air Jordan 39 “Sol”/”Lumier”

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, though lacking a signature sneaker line, his selection of the Air Jordan 39 has made him the de facto face of the silhouette.

The Air Jordan 39’s “Sol” colorway, characterized by a minimalist aesthetic, offers a versatile appeal that transcends the basketball court. The shoe’s recent launch featured two initial colorways, priced at US$200 for adult sizes.

Adebayo wore the “Lumier” colorway of the Air Jordan 39 for the Olympic gold medal game.

Jrue Holiday

Nike Kobe 4 Protro, Nike Sabrina 2, and Nike G.T. Hustle 3

Jrue Holiday’s inclusion in the roster is a testament to his reputation as a consummate team player. The veteran guard’s ability to integrate into any lineup is mirrored in his eclectic footwear choices. His footwear rotation for Paris 2024 has been diverse, showcasing the Nike Kobe 4 Protro, Nike Sabrina 2, and Nike G.T. Hustle 3.

Tyrese Haliburton

Nike Kobe 4

Although he did not log any minutes in the final game, Tyrese Haliburton’s affable demeanor has made him a beloved figure on the Team USA roster. Despite his limited court time, the Indiana Pacers All-Star point guard has maintained an infectious energy.

As a Nike athlete without a signature shoe, he has opted for classic models from the Nike Kobe line. While the player-exclusive colorways in the Olympics are unlikely to reach a wider audience, the broader Nike Kobe catalog offers a wealth of options with more cachet, especially the few already line up in the coming months.

Derrick White

Nike Sabrina 2

Derrick White’s inclusion in the Team USA roster, necessitated by Kawhi Leonard’s withdrawal, provided an opportunity to showcase his versatility. While his on-court contributions were invaluable to the Celtics’ championship run, his Olympic role was more subdued.

White’s minutes were limited and did not play in the gold medal game. But whenever he was on the court, he wore the Nike Sabrina 2. Adding to his typically intangible contributions, his choice to wear a female player’s signature shoe demonstrated his commitment to inclusivity within the sport, which earns him more points in the grand scheme of things.

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Image Source: Paris 2024 Olympics; FIBA; @nbakicks

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