[Update 29 Aug] New images by @cassyathenaphoto, “your favorite NBA players favorite photographer,” have surfaced giving us more in-action looks of the Kyrie 8 on its namesake’s feet. The Kyrie signature line has been touted by hoopers and sneakerheads alike for its on-court performance and eclectic colorways.

There’re no official images yet but surely, we will see more of the silhouette in a little over a month when the NBA season opens. Presumably, along with some wilder iterations.

[Update 18 Aug] Kyrie Irving debuted his latest, and possibly last, signature shoe with Nike during a workout session with other elite NBA players like Trae Young, Clint Capela, Cole Anthony, Keldon Johnson, and Scottie Barnes.

He also clarified by way of a tweet that the pair will be known as the Kyrie 8, with his 8th signature shoe (which he publicly thrashed before wearing them for 29 games last year) would be an offshoot model instead known as the “Kyrie Infinity”.

Kyrie Irving has been one of the most polarizing and eccentric figures in the NBA in recent years. As much as he’s able to court attention on the hardwood, he does as much off of it. From being a flat-Earther before being reverted again, to his reputation for being a “bad” teammate. But the straw that broke the camel’s back could be his anti-vaccination stance which caused him to sit out most of the last season due to his noncompliance with New York’s vaccine mandate.

It’s all just speculation whether it’s reason enough for Nike to not extend his contract with him beyond the 2022–23 season. But if his controversies are affecting sales for the Big Swoosh, then probably. Nevertheless, no matter what happens, the fans still lose. The Kyrie signature line has been one of the most exciting and thrilling canvases when it comes to on-court footwear. If the Kyrie 9 really is the last one, then the consolation is a retro line.

This version of the Kyrie 9 is built upon a cream-colored translucent mesh body with hues of black and red spread around it. On the lateral side is an expanded Swoosh accentuated by a black border and a more inconspicuous one, in comparison, on the medial. There’re some interesting placements of branding elements: aside from Kyrie’s logo on the tongue and midfoot, there’s also his signature debossed onto the rear lateral midsole and Nike’s rare Sunburst logo on the medial. Not much information has been released on the meaning behind the roman numerals embroidered on the heel counter; but to add another personal touch, he pays homage to his mother by having her name on the design’s mudguard.

There’re no official news attached to the leaked images about a release date or a price point, but we will provide an update as soon as word gets to us. For now, it seems to be projected for a mid-November release but until Nike confirms it, it remains a wild guess.

Here’s a basketball sneaker that we know is here to stay. Check out the Nike Cosmic Unity 2, a shoe from the Swoosh’s Move to Zero initiative — their steps towards reducing their carbon footprint.

Images via @moving.pictures