SGA Closes Converse Chapter With SHAI 001 LACE UP Re-Design

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now a Nike Basketball athlete. Before launching any Swoosh-branded product, the Oklahoma City Thunder star is introducing the final chapter of his debut signature model with the One Star Brand: the Converse SHAI 001 LACE UP.

"I'm excited for what's ahead as I begin this new chapter with Nike," shared 28-year-old in an official press release. "Before I turn the page, I still have a few things to finish with Converse. I’m proud of what we've built and look forward to seeing those pairs out in the world before embracing what's next."

Although SGA's SHAI 001 energized Converse Basketball unlike any product had in some years, the Canadian athlete was much more than the face of a shoe—he was a creative director of the heritage brand, infusing his own vision for modern style into product offerings, campaign visuals, and community-oriented activations. His impact on Converse, then, cannot be understated.

The SHAI 001's debut "Butter" colorway set the tone for the model's tonal, minimalist aesthetic. For many sneaker-enthusiasts of a certain age, the pair restored a feeling—one that saw performance basketball shoes as a mainstay in street style.

Handfuls of different color executions were presented on the SHAI 001. And while celebrated by many, some naysayers couldn't get behind the design's use of a zippered shroud over the tongue. SGA's LACE UP proposal deals with this, making for a more traditional look and wear.

The Converse SHAI 001 LACE UP keeps the shoe's structural shape intact. Under the hood, the same Nike Zoom Air unit at the forefoot that's helped SGA dominate the NBA reprises its role; radial traction underfoot and padding around the shoe do the same.

To close out his Converse Basketball story, Gilgeous-Alexander is offering the SHAI 001 LACE UP in sizing for Kids—a first for his signature sneaker series. The modified hoops sneaker arrives in three different colorways between now and October:

• "Berry," releasing Friday, Aug. 14
• "Lime," releasing Friday, Aug. 14
• "Cheetah," releasing Thursday, Sept.

Adult versions of the LACE UP retail for $120, whereas Kids' pairs have an MSRP of $100.

Enjoy photos of the forthcoming trio of SHAI 001 LACE UP sneakers ahead as you wait for a Converse.com launch.

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