Kyrie Irving & ANTA: A New Beginning
NBA champion and superstar Kyrie Irving is embarking on a new journey within the footwear industry this upcoming season. After a successful seven-year run with Nike, the Dallas Mavericks guard is now the new face and Chief Creative Officer of ANTA. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in China, ANTA Sports is positioned as the third largest sporting goods manufacturer behind Nike and Adidas. The brand boasts an extensive catalog of goods and equipment across all sports, with the ANTA Shock Wave 5 being one of their best-selling basketball shoes. Now, ANTA is looking to expand its global presence by adding elite-level athletes, like Kyrie Irving, to its already impressive roster that features NBA champions like Klay Thompson and Rajon Rondo.
Drafted number one in the 2011 NBA Draft, Kyrie Irving’s basketball career has been nothing short of inspiring. Making a name for himself throughout high school, Kyrie’s natural rise to stardom began during his college career while playing for the Duke Blue Devils. His talent was wanted by every NBA team following his college career, but the Cleveland Cavaliers would be the one to secure him on their roster. Kyrie would later prove his greatness within the NBA by becoming Rookie Of The Year, NBA Champion, and eight-time All-Star.
Now, Kyrie Irving is beginning a new journey in his career as he partners with ANTA. This newfound partnership will see Kyrie debut his signature shoe with ANTA in the first quarter 2024. Until then, Kyrie will be playing in the ANTA Shock Wave 5 throughout the 2023-2024 NBA season. This announcement put the Shock Wave 5 model in high demand as players and fans worldwide look to secure pairs. However, finding the shoe in Western markets, especially the U.S., takes a lot of work. Fortunately, KICKS CREW is one of the exclusive global retailers that carry the ANTA Shock Wave 5 in numerous colorways.
ANTA Shock Wave 5 Breakdown
Released this summer, the ANTA Shock Wave 5 is a top-tier on-court performer. Beyond its aesthetics, the Shock Wave 5 emphasizes both form and function. The upper incorporates dynamic line technology, which adapts to the foot during directional changes, providing a secure fit. The outer hemming is constructed using a new three-hardness TPU material, ensuring a durable upper that is not only supportive but also durable.
Designed for performance, the Shock Wave 5 features a premium cushion setup due to its innovative double-layer Nitroedge Technology, a fusion of a full palm midsole, and a nitrogen insole. This cutting-edge combination gives wearers a plush and responsive feel, ensuring comfort and support.
The Shock Wave 5 also boasts performance innovations when it comes to torsion resistance. A sophisticated midfoot system consisting of a carbon fiber anti-torsion sheet, hollowed-out TPU, and a TPU accelerator work together to create a stable and adaptive structure that helps players maintain stability while performing on the court. The shoe’s performance-driven features extend to its outsole, boasting a durable compound allowing players to take on indoor and outdoor courts confidently.
The meticulous craftsmanship that went into the ANTA Shock Wave 5 represents a synergy of cutting-edge technology and intelligent design. This is a testament to ANTA’s commitment to elevating sportswear and delivering the highest-performing basketball shoes.
Kyrie Irving's Future With ANTA
With a signature shoe arriving in early 2024, Kyrie has his sights set on more than footwear with his new ANTA partnership. As Chief Creative Officer, he plans to recruit influential personalities across various disciplines, including music, design, athletics, and humanitarianism, to create additional product lines under his. Kyrie plans to introduce a new vision through these collaborations that will redefine the industry.
ANTA’s CEO also believes that this new partnership will bridge Chinese and Western cultures through the love of basketball. “We believe this collaboration will create a fusion of Chinese and Western cultures and bring more vitality and creativity for us to continuously push the boundaries and explore the infinite possibilities at the intersection of basketball and culture,” said ANTA CEO Xu Yang when addressing the five-year partnership with Kyrie (PRNewswire). An ANTA x KYRIE youth basketball camp will be one of the first pieces to this bridge that connects the Chinese and Western cultures and will focus on promoting and developing basketball within the youth in the U.S. and China. The youth has always been and will continue to be a focal point in Kyrie’s career as he always aimed to provide resources and affordable footwear to the next generation.
Where To Buy The ANTA Shock Wave 5
Finding the Shock Wave 5 outside of China is difficult as ANTA still works to expand its global footprint. However, through our international partnerships with verified retailers and renowned brands, KICKS CREW offers the ANTA Shock Wave 5 in a variety of colorways.
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “DARK MATTER”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “INHERIT”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “ALLERGY”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “SALTATION”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “MAGIC POTION”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “DECOMPOSITION”
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “IMMORTALITY
ANTA SHOCK WAVE 5 “FIRST YEAR”
