In time for the start of the NBA season, global award-winning brand Skechers hits the hardwood with its inaugural line of technical basketball shoes that offer elite performance and all-star quality for every level of athlete. The initial wave of Skechers Basketball shoes includes two distinct mid-top styles—SKX Resagrip™ and SKX FLOAT™—that fuse innovative technologies with the brand’s signature comfort.
Skechers has enlisted New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle and Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Terance Mann as the first professional athletes to compete in Skechers Basketball shoes. Following weeks of practice and preseason games in the footwear, Randle and Mann signed on as Skechers Basketball ambassadors—agreeing to represent the performance footwear brand in campaigns after experiencing the most comfortable shoes on the court.
“Following our road map for success as a breakthrough brand in running, golf, pickleball, and global football, we’re leveraging the insight and feedback of pros like Julius Randle and Terance Mann to authenticate our position as a performance brand with the best basketball shoes on the court,” said Greg Smith, VP of Product Development and Merchandising for Skechers Performance. “We’re entering the sport with two players who represent a cross section of the NBA, from an all-star veteran in the Eastern Conference to a rising star right here in Los Angeles. Our roster illustrates that Skechers steps on the court with innovative features and designs for every type of athlete, whatever your style or wherever you play.”
“Along with our recent entry into the soccer business, Skechers now offers high-performance footwear for athletes competing in the two biggest sports on the planet,” added Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “This is the start of a long-term investment in basketball with more player partnerships, which is essential for our growth strategy and vision. We’re launching in the three largest stand-alone basketball markets—the U.S., China and the Philippines—with expansion to more regions expected in the future.”
The perfect hybrid of form and function, the SKX Resagrip™ is designed for players who move at top speed with next-level cushioning and responsiveness to accommodate quick and explosive movements. It features Goodyear® Resagrip Technology with a unique outsole configuration so you can play hard and focus on your game. For players in search of game-changing stability, the SKX FLOAT™ offers strategically-placed TPU to help lock the foot in place, while a lightweight Swirl Tech™ design provides flexibility for an exceptional court feel with a Goodyear® outsole for enhanced traction. Both styles include Skechers Hyper Burst® cushioning in the midsole plus a Hyper Burst Pro™ sockliner for added comfort.
“It’s an incredible experience working with Skechers. They’re new to the sport, so we have the opportunity to do exciting things outside the box in a positive and impactful way,” said Julius Randle. “Skechers is a great fit for me because I’m a competitive player and they have this same approach when it comes to their mission to make the best shoe on the court. This is the next stage in a journey for Skechers and for my career, so we’re trailblazing together with these amazing shoes. I love that.”
“From the first moment I stepped onto the court in Skechers, I knew these shoes were the real deal—they’re so comfortable and also represent my style,” said Terance Mann. “I love that Skechers is an L.A.-based brand. I can meet in person at any time to talk about the shoes and really partner with them. They’re giving me everything that I need, and I’m looking forward to competing in Skechers.”
Julius Randle hails from Dallas, Texas and played a single year at University of Kentucky, going all the way to the National Championship Game while earning SEC Rookie of the Year and setting the school record for double-doubles in a season by a freshman. He was selected as the 7th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers where he played four seasons and is now in his fifth season with the New York Knicks. Randle is a two-time NBA All-Star, two-time member of the All-NBA Team, and was named NBA Most Improved Player in 2021.
Terance Mann was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent his collegiate career at Florida State where he was the third player in school history to surpass 1,200 points, 600 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 steals. He was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft. Currently in his fifth season with the team, Mann helped the Clippers reach the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2021.
Beyond basketball, the Skechers team of elite athletes competing in the brand’s performance footwear includes FC Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, golfers Matt Fitzpatrick and Brooke Henderson, pickleball pros Tyson McGuffin and Catherine Parenteau, as well as Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
The Skechers Basketball footwear collection is now available at Skechers Glorietta, and soon to be available at select Skechers retail stores as well as select Footlocker stores in the Philippines. Additional colorways arrive later this fall and low-top versions of both styles will launch in Spring 2024.
