Shai Gilgeous-Alexander laced up a special-edition orange pair of the Virgil Abloh Archive™ x Nike Air Force 1 for NBA Media Day 2026. A photo of the sneaker was subsequently shared on a new Instagram account @twoshai, which will surely serve as SGA's "burner" account (or finstagram), posting behind-the-scenes looks and less-polished shots from his everyday life.
The photo showcasing the citrus-inspired AF-1 also displays a Nike-branded pair of basketball shoes that looks like a version of the zipper-less SHAI 001. This could very well be the first-look at the Nike SHAI 002 sequel, but it's still too early to tell.
Stay tuned.
After a cryptic teaser showed SGA’s Converse logo transforming into a Nike logo before shifting back again, Nike has now confirmed the move, welcoming the reigning MVP into its basketball roster while also acknowledging his impact at Converse.
“We are thrilled to welcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the Nike Basketball signature family,” Nike said in an official statement. “Coming after back-to-back MVP seasons, we are excited to build on Shai’s incredible impact with Converse as one of the most creative leaders in the game.”
The move marks an interesting next chapter for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has spent recent years as the face of Converse Basketball. During that run, SGA helped give the brand a stronger presence on court, bringing his own creative direction and distinct personal style to the label.
It also brings things full circle. Before switching to Converse, Gilgeous-Alexander wore Nike Kobe sneakers during the early stages of his NBA career, making his return to the Swoosh a natural continuation of his footwear story.
While Nike owns Converse, the two brands have largely operated separately in basketball. That makes SGA’s move to Nike Basketball significant, especially as he enters the peak of his career following back-to-back MVP seasons.
Shai’s Converse chapter is not fully closed just yet. A few more colorways of his Converse Shai 001 are still expected to release, giving the model a final stretch of momentum following its debut run. Beyond those pairs, however, the future of SGA’s Converse line is unclear, with Nike Basketball now positioned as the next major chapter in his footwear story.
At this stage, Nike has not yet confirmed what SGA’s first project under Nike Basketball will be, but his arrival in the signature family strongly suggests something major is on the way.
Stay tuned for more updates as Nike and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveal what comes next. Make sure to follow our official Twitter/X for updates.
