Kyrie Irving, ANTA Sign Daniel Gafford, Caris LeVert, and Derrick Jones Jr., Launch KAI 1 'Team' Shoe
Kyrie Irving teams up with Caris LeVert, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford to launch the ANTA KAI 1 "Team" shoe, expanding the brand's global reach.
DALLAS — ANTA Basketball, in collaboration with Chief Creative Officer Kyrie Irving, took a significant step toward enhancing its global footprint by unveiling the KAI 1 “Team” shoe and signing three NBA players: Caris LeVert, Derrick Jones Jr., and Daniel Gafford.
Gafford remains Irving’s Dallas Mavericks teammate. Jones played for the Mavs in 2023-24, playing 79 games (regular season and playoffs) with Irving before departing for the LA Clippers in free agency. Irving and LeVert played 25 games together as teammates on the Brooklyn Nets. Each player built a relationship with Irving as a teammate and has worn ANTA shoes throughout this season.
“These guys are my brothers, players I’ve shared the journey with,” Irving said. “Together, we aim to inspire the future of basketball and create a legacy that resonates globally.”
LeVert, Jones Jr., and Gafford will wear various colorways from the KAI collection in their upcoming games, bringing attention to the new release. The trio joins a growing list of athletes associated with the ANTA brand, a company increasingly focused on basketball and global expansion.
Irving and industry veteran Dallas Stokes designed the ANTA “Team” shoe using cutting-edge technology, including the Gravity Sketch platform, to ensure it met the needs of fast, dynamic players. The design features a Full Lockdown Collar, Midfoot Nylon Shank Technology for added support, and a durable outsole for superior grip on indoor and outdoor courts.
“This shoe is built for the next generation,” Irving said. “We spent countless hours studying AAU and streetball players to create a shoe that meets their needs while reflecting my storytelling and style. The KAI 1 Team Shoe is not just for me – it’s for the everyday player striving to create their own story.”
ANTA’s signing of LeVert, Jones Jr., and Gafford adds depth to its growing roster. The brand already has top-tier talent working with it, including Irving’s teammate Klay Thompson, who owns an ANTA KT 10 shoe.
The KAI 1 “Team” shoe is available now at ANTA.com and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
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