How do you honour a sporting great that has achieved all in their chosen sport? It’s a hard question, but Nike seem to have come up with a way to celebrate a true giant and legend of the basketball arena.
There will never be another athlete like LeBron James: four NBA championships, four NBA Finals MVPs, four MVPs, 42,184 regular-season points. At 40 years old, it would make sense for him to simply retire, but the King defies expectations. That’s what makes him a true great. His legendary run in the league, which includes being part of the first father-son duo to play together, is mirrored by his new partnership with Nike.
This year, LeBron will begin his 23rd season, which coincides with the 23rd edition of his signature shoe series, the Nike LeBron 23. This entry is significant for the duo, as “23” has been his jersey number for most of his career.
LeBron made it clear to the Nike team that he wanted his 23rd shoe to be the most special addition to his footwear legacy. To accomplish this, Nike immortalized 23 of LeBron’s legacy-defining moments through unique colourways, split across three distinct eras:
- “The Chosen 1 Arrives” (2002-2010)
- “Taking the Throne” (2010-2018)
- “Long Live the King” (2018-present)
Each era has its own unique shoebox, and all pairs will come packaged inside a crown-shaped shoebox with a booklet detailing all 23 stories as well as a unique charm that matches the heel icon of the specific release.
Kicking off this journey is the lead “Uncharted” colourway, which recounts LeBron’s achievement of becoming the first player to reach 40,000 points scored in the regular season. Its all-gold finish utilizes vapor deposition, which Nike had never done before. Meanwhile, the upper’s diamond pattern is a nod to the rarity of this achievement. Beyond its eye-catching composition, a 40,000-point graphic appears at the heel to further commemorate the milestone.
The “Uncharted” pair is just one of 23 stories coming to life with the LeBron 23. These designs feature a graphic upper with details extending the storytelling, and the back of the shoe offers a nod to each theme.
After analysing a wear-test version of the LeBron 23 that King James wore over the summer of 2025, Nike officially unveiled its technical specifications. His crown logo serves as a cradle for the sneaker, asserting its importance and offering functionality. The dip at the forefoot offers flexibility, while the heightened midfoot provides stability. The heel backs this structure, adding a final layer of support.
Within the shoe is a Nike Basketball first: a ZoomX drop-in. This creation brings maximum responsiveness underfoot while carried by Cushlon 3.0 foam. A full carbon fibre shank completes the sole’s interior, strengthening the shoe’s stability. On the outside, the traction pattern takes on the shape of the number 23, sporting a multi-directional traction pattern that enhances movement in all directions.
The shoe may be the focal point of the purchase, but the Nike Basketball team considered every element involved. The purchase of the LeBron 23 includes several items. Storytelling continues through a booklet that recounts all 23 moments with an in-depth look at each. The graphics on the back of the shoe are also presented as keepsakes, taking the form of charms, jewellery, keychains, and tags. Rounding out the presentation is a special shoe box, which sees the crown shape make another appearance.
Sports fans love legacy. Sporting greats create legacy. Nike understood the brief and set about creating a collection of colourways that will tell LeBron’s story and keep sports fans and trainer aficionados griped with intrigue and demand. A storyline told through trainers will be woven into an entire cohesive collection encompassing a wide range of apparel. Think 23 graphic tees complementing the 23 trainer colourways, with each one featuring the relevant date of the moment on the back. There are also premium renditions of jerseys from his high school hoops days to the present. These combine a modern fit with premium materials, featuring details like double-knit chenille and embossed suede at the jock tag. The LeBron Signature Collection completes the apparel offerings. This luxe line-up favours beautiful finishes and materials, like a puffer jacket with mesh overlays and zip-off sleeves. Let’s face it, Nike knows how to market a product and exact commercials from every drop. Expect the first trainer to drop before the end of this year.
