Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave fans their first real look at his signature shoe under Nike Basketball. He debuted an orange, Nike-branded version of the Shai 001 during Thunder media day, following his move away from Converse earlier this year.
The shoe keeps the same low-cut, lifestyle-leaning shape from its original release, now carrying Nike branding instead of the Converse logo. Bright orange covers the entire build, giving it a bold, team-inspired look for his first appearance in the new colorway.
That color choice feels intentional given the setting. Orange ties directly back to Thunder branding, making this an easy pick for a first appearance in front of the home crowd.
Alongside the Shai 001, SGA also showed off a pair of Virgil Abloh's Off-White x Nike Air Force 1s in a matching orange tone. Both pairs sat together backstage, giving fans a clear look at his footwear rotation heading into the new season.
Given how much buzz surrounded his original signature shoe, seeing it return under the Nike umbrella should draw plenty of early attention from collectors.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Virgil Abloh Archive x Nike AF1
SGA's original Converse Shai 001 debuted in February 2025, right in the middle of his first MVP season. He went on to add an NBA Championship, Finals MVP, and a second consecutive MVP while wearing the shoe.
That run of success made him one of Converse's most valuable athletes almost overnight. Colorways like "Butter" became especially sought-after, regularly reselling for well above retail.
Nike officially confirmed his move to its Basketball signature roster back in June, closing out a six-year run with Converse that began in 2020. Since Nike and Converse operate under the same parent company, carrying the Shai 001 over rather than starting from scratch made sense for both sides.
That decision also gives Nike an easier entry point into his signature line. Rather than introducing a brand-new silhouette right away, leaning on a shoe fans already recognize keeps the transition feeling smooth rather than disruptive.
Pairing that debut with a Virgil Abloh Air Force 1 only added to the moment, tying Shai's new chapter with Nike back to one of the brand's most respected design legacies. It's a small detail, but one that speaks to how much weight his footwear choices tend to carry.
