Our Top Basketball Kicks of 2023 (So Far)

We select our favourite bball sneakers, so you don't have to

2023 has been a great year for basketball kicks (well, so far) and we know how important it is to cop the right pair of sneakers for your gameplay. Whether youre hitting those outside courts on those warmer days, or getting ready for those preseason warmups, theres nothing better than a fresh pair of basketball shoes to get you in the mood.

To get you pumped for whatever the occasion may be, we've curated a list of our top basketball kicks of 2023 that are a musthave to your sneaker collection.

1. Puma Stewie 2 Ruby'

Release Date: May 19th, 2023
Where to buy: PUMA Website
Price: £100 ($129.27)

We kick off this countdown with New York Libertys very own Breanna Stewart and her signature basketball line with PUMA. 2023 saw the release of the Stewie 2 and this Ruby addition not only paid homage to her flawless, oncourt resilience but also the power and integrity motherhood brings, commemorating this shoe to her daughter, Ruby.

As if the backstory wasnt enough, the silhouette was an absolute trailblazer! Ruby accents of red draped the mesh upper, while TPU overlays add a decorative touch to the laterals. Other features include cobranded detailing on the tongues, a flamewrapped heel, emblazoned with Rubys date of birth, coupled with its Nitroinfused outsole for that courtdefining finish.

2. Puma MB.02 Rick and Morty Adventures

Release Date: February 17th, 2023
Where to buy: PUMA Website
Price: £130 ( $174.51)

2021 Rookie of the Year and continuing to make waves on the NBA courts. LaMelo Ball is the man of the moment, and his PUMA MB.02 is just as outlandish as his court play. Now weve seen plenty of brightly coloured MB fits but one that certainly stands out is the Rick and Morty rendition.

This courtinspired take on the popular Adult Swim animation is utterly distinctive, the knit mesh upper comes in a mixmatch colour blocking, with gradients of green and purple accommodating the left foot, while the right foot takes on a yelloworangepink colour scheme. Flamewrapped overlays are a nod to LaMelo's boldness on those courts, while Rick and Morty's branding delivers character to the heel, insole and wordmark sits above the toe cap now who said making a statement wasnt easy?

3. Harden Vol.7 Red Luxury

Release Date: March 2nd, 2023
Where to buy: adidas Website
Price: £123.47 ($160)

A marriage between luxury fashion and oncourt functionality, the Harden Vol.7 has it all. The seventh signature iteration of 76ers point guard James Harden now comes in a Luxury Red paint up and were obsessed with it.

Forming as part of adis Remember The Why campaign, the fit arrived in a strikingly bold red upper, accompanied by stealthy tones of black which occupies the inner bootie, laces and the signature 3stripes on the heel. Extra padding bolsters up the textile quarters for an extra supportive feel, while downstairs, the fit is equipped with a Jet Boost midsole for optimum stability and energy return.

4. Jordan Tatum 1 Archer Ave

Release Date: 15th April 2023
Where to buy: Nike Website
Price: £109.95 ($141.19)

In April, the Jordan brand introduced the Jordan Tatum 1 to its roster of athletic designs, giving the Boston Celtics star boy Jayson Tatum his firstever signature shoe and this one is brimming with nostalgia. Taking inspiration from the love of his hometown Archer Ave in St Louis, Missouri, this rendition was the perfect balance between bball performance and style.

Materialwise, this court icon landed in a mixed mesh body with accents of white making up the majority of the fit. TPU caging sculpts the lowers giving an ultra lockdown feel, while the signature Jumpman branding adds depth to the rears. Cobranding wordmark is gilded across the heel counter, and Archer Ave inner tongue labels add that allimportant sentiment that we also see through Tatums gameplay.

5. Nike Ja 1 Light Smoke Grey

Release Date: 11th August 2023
Where to buy: Nike Website
Price: £85.66 ($110)

Despite this gem not dropping until August, the Nike Ja 1 Light Smoke Grey is definitely on our cop list. Making Memphis Grizzlies icon Ja Morant the 23rd player in the NBA to secure a signature sneaker shoe with Nike. Creating hype since it was first seen on his feet during the Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors, the Nike Ja 1 offered a graillike feel from the jump.

Sporting a durable synthetic upper, which was, in this case, coated in a soft grey and white palette. TPU enforcements deliver that extra element of sturdiness, tractionenhancing rubber offers plenty of grip on those hardwood floors, plus its phylon midsole is topped with Zoom Air units for a lowlying, reactive oncourt experience.

6. LeBron NXXT Gen Red/Black/Grey'

Release Date: February 10th, 2023
Where to buy: prodirectsport.com
Price: £120.90 ($160)

Over the 20 seasons that we have seen LeBron grace our courts with his ingenious court play, we have also seen as many shoe iterations, but with the LeBron NXXT Gen model, there is something a little more inspiring than what meets the eyes. To give you some context, LeBron had teamed up with gaming organisation Faze on this silhouette, to uplift and influence the next generation of athletes. Although this model resides at a slightly lower price point, it is certainly one for those young sneaker purists.

Boasting the iconic Bred colour up, the shoe's mesh upper features an intricate monogramlike design in black and white, with engineered mesh covering the entire surface. On the medial side, there's a tumbled leather overlay in black, adorned with an iridescent Nike Swoosh and red stitching. The lateral side remains clean, showcasing the same Swoosh with a mini logo nearby, while a metallic "XX" dubrae accents the black nylon stripe on the heel. The tongue displays the FaZe team logo in red, alongside LeBron James' signature branding.

7. Curry 1 Flo Tro Low Draft Day

Release Date: June 22, 2023
Where to buy: Underarmour website
Price: £115 ( $150)

From securing the MVP award in the 20142015 season to leading the Golden State Warriors to their first championship victory since 1975 in the same year, there isnt much Stephen Curry cant do on the courts. And if anything proves this, it would be his lucrative sneaker line with Under Armour, releasing his first shoe in 2015, the UA Curry 1. Fast Forward 8 years and 4 rings later, Under Armour pay tribute to the beginnings of any NBA star with the Curry 1 FloTro Low Draft Day.

With Draft Day taking place on June 22nd, it was only right to have a signature sneaker to back it up. This rendition showcases a blend of pink, purple, and teal shades on the upper, complemented by a lighting bolt design on the sides, as a nod to the iconic Warriors logo. Finishing touches consist of a white Flowcushioned sole for that responsive and comfy instep feel.


8. Nike KD 15 50 Years of HipHop

Release Date: June 15th, 2023
Where to buy: Kickscrew website
Price: £120.90 ($160)

Kevin Durant's passion for music has been evident throughout his career, culminating in collaborations with renowned producers 9th Wonder, Boi1da, and Cardo for exclusive Nike KD 15 colourways. As he gears up for the release of his 16th signature shoe, Durant paid tribute to the 50year celebration with an OffWhiteinspired KD 15 rendition.

The design showcased dark shades with nylons along the tongue and inner lining, while the heel boasts a premium tumbled leather finish. A minimalist approach omits KD logos in favour of monochrome HipHop tongue tags, consistent with the upcoming collection of footwear. Subtle cream accents on the upper forefoot, coupled with a vibrant "Sail" hue on the midfoot caging system and Air Zoom midsole, draw inspiration from the iconic Virgil Abloh's design aesthetics. To finish, golden metallic microphone emblems and Easy Money branding adds character to the heel and insoles.

Tell us what your favourite basketball sneakers are in the comments below!

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