Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently told TIME that he personally hand-drew the design for his upcoming Nike SHAI 002. This marks his second signature shoe and the first silhouette built entirely from scratch since his move from Converse to Nike Basketball.
How involved was he in the design?
Gilgeous-Alexander was not merely lending his name to the shoe as an endorser. He mentioned that he had drawn early sketches for his first shoe, the SHAI 001, and that the same approach continued with the SHAI 002, with him personally handling the design drawings. When asked what fans could expect from the new shoe, he simply said it would look quite sharp, since the design came from his own hand, but he did not reveal further details about its appearance or colorway direction.
How does the SHAI 002 differ after the brand switch?
The SHAI 001 was originally released under the Converse name, only later receiving Nike brand certification at an Oklahoma City team media day event—meaning the shoe existed before its Nike identity was confirmed. Gilgeous-Alexander officially completed his transition from Converse to Nike Basketball in June 2026. By comparison, the SHAI 002 is the first signature shoe built entirely under the Nike banner from the design stage onward since that switch, marking a clear difference in process from its predecessor.
Is his involvement the same across both models?
Notably, despite the change in brand affiliation, Gilgeous-Alexander's approach to the creative process has remained consistent across both shoes, with him drawing the early design sketches himself. This continuity suggests that even after switching sponsors, the player still takes part in design through hand sketches; however, this does not mean the final product's materials, performance, or construction can be inferred from sketches alone.
When will we see the actual shoe?
Currently, only interview photos of Gilgeous-Alexander himself have been released—there are no actual photos of the SHAI 002, so the public cannot yet judge the shoe's structure or color direction from them. The shoe's technical specifications, colorway, and official images remain confidential, and pricing and retail channels have not yet been announced. Based on available information, the Nike SHAI 002 is expected to launch in early 2027, with further details to be announced later by Nike and Gilgeous-Alexander himself.
