The 19 Best Nike Basketball Shoes For Men

Release Date: Oct. 1, 2020

The Nike Zoom Freak 2 “White Cement” is the second signature sneaker from Nike baller Giannis Antekonumpo. The Bucks forward has been a show-stopper, dominating the league and winning back-to-back MVP awards. The defensive powerhouse has been on a streak with Nike too, producing back-to-back hits on his first two models from the Swoosh. The colorway pays homage to Nike’s classic “White Cement” aesthetic that has been made popular from other Nike models like the Air Jordan 3. The sneaker is available directly from the source for a retail price tag of $120.

Price: $120

Release Date: July 14, 2020

Body: The Nike LeBron 17 debuted in 2020 and with it came a classic remix on the nostalgic designs of LeBron’s past models. First seen on the fourth silhouette, “Graffiti” was a creative and new design for the basketball sneaker world. Making a new appearance on the 17, fans of LeBron’s most recent silhouette or his past design cues, this is a solid selection. Pick up this piece of LeBron memorabilia from Nike.com for $225. The concept blends the two worlds of modern Nike basketball tech with a nostalgic LeBron hit.

Price: $225

Release Date: May 1, 2020 

Love him or hate him, Kevin Durant is another Nike signature athlete delivering high-quality hardwood footwear. His 13th sneaker features a colorful “Home Team” colorway that speckles the midsole in a tie-dye splattering of red, blue, and yellow. The sneaker follows a similar pattern on the ankle collar and includes a simple black and white makeup on the upper.

Price: $110

Release Date: 2019

In 2019 Nike stepped into the future with the Nike Adapt BB. Using the same self-lacing tech featured in the Nike Mag, the Swoosh was able to bring the first self-lacing basketball sneaker to the court. Complete with charger and all, the sneakers were a breakthrough and continue to be an iconic Nike basketball model that brings the most advanced technology to the forefront of the design.

Price: $252

Release Date: September 26, 2020

The Kyrie Low 3 is a great Nike selection for fans who prefer the low cut style basketball sneaker shape. The Low 3 brings elements from previous Kyrie models, like the forefoot strap and other tooling, this recycling is common practice with some Nike signature lines. The concept usually works, keeping past fans coming back for more and the price point reasonable for a “new” sneaker.

Price: $130

 Release Date: July 22, 2020 

Paul George’s fourth signature sneaker is an interesting low top silhouette that features a full zip on the forefoot that covers the laces for a locked-in feel. The performance model is another Nike stronghold with plenty of on-court comfort, style, and performance. This special colorway is a collab with Gatorade, adding a special branding logo hit on the tongue and overall influence on the sneaker’s lightly colored green and orange colorway.

Price: $120

Release Date: October 17, 2020

Body: The Air Jordan line always garners headlines when the release date nears and hype, naturally follows. The 35 harkens design cues from the previous iteration, the 34, but brings some new elements to the table for 2020. The 35 is minimal on weight and features a lot of updated Nike tech for their new sneaker. The numbered line is always keeping Jordan brand afloat (retros usually do better) but for the most part, their on-court stuff is usually pretty solid for serious ballers and those looking for a reliable sneaker to hoop in.

Price: $180

Release Date: September 30, 2020

For fans of Kobe’s older silhouettes, the Protro product line has got to be their go-to Nike sneaker shopping. The revitalization of older and popular colorways has completely reinvigorated the Nike Kobe 5. The Protro version of the reintroduced silhouette comes back in a famous “5 Rings” colorway that makes obvious references to the ring gathering of Kobe’s legendary on-court career. The low cut shoes are some fan favorites for balling and honoring the late, great Black Mamba.

Price: $334

Release Date: July 2, 2020

Air Jordan and Nike are always intersecting on basketball tech with Nike’s React foam showing up on the Air Jordan React Revolution. The React Revolution is a modern basketball sneaker, it’s outside of the hype cycle, focused more on those looking for durable and reliable basketball sneakers than resale value. Remember the good old days of shopping for basketball sneakers without a major co-sign or worrying about their StockX listing?

Price: $120

Release Date: August 25, 2020

The Nike Mamba Fury is another all-around solid sneaker pick from Nike. The brand is good at dominating news cycles but they also continue to stock their site with basketball sneakers for those looking for something to actually hit the court in. The Mamba Fury of course pays homage to Kobe, his budget-friendly line is a solid option at $100, and it’s a good pick to mix into the active rotation.

Price: $100

Release Date: July 2, 2020

Of notable Nike athletes, Russell Westbrook is one who is a little more special. Mostly because he’s one of the few signed to Jordan Brand, but his signature silhouette has certainly been something that has captured intention since the line debuted in 2018. Why Not? Zer0.3 is his third signature model from Westbrook and offers a hyper technical-looking sneaker for those seeking performance-oriented tech that doesn’t look half bad. The sneaker also comes dressed in a familiar colorway, borrowing the “Bred” aesthetic and elephant print made famous by Jordan’s early offerings.

Price: $107

Release Date: July 2, 2020

The Nike Air Zoom BB NXT “Lime Blast” is a new basketball model from Nike that successfully pairs the comfort of modern Nike tech with simple go-to performance. Included in the midsole is the brand’s React foam as well as its storied Air Zoom material. The lightweight sneaker comes decked out in a minimal black color scheme with a fairly average price point of $120.

Price: $120

Release Date: October 16, 2020

Union LA made a mark with the Jordan brand a couple of years ago with their iconic Air Jordan 1 collaboration. Back with an Air Jordan 4 dropping soon, these brands are also bringing forth a Jordan Delta Mid basketball sneaker to bridge the gap between unattainable hype and performance-inspired tech. The mid-height sneaker looks better than most silhouettes of the same height and offers a dash of high-quality aesthetic courtesy of Chris Gibbs and the good people at UNION LA. You can cop the sneaker soon when it drops on Oct. 16.

Price: $160

Release Date: June 21, 2020

Kyrie Irving’s performance models are always solid and serve a much needed supporting role in the hierarchy of Nike athlete sneakers. The Kyrie 6 features a high top construction with a lot of great colorways and design aesthetics. On top of eye-catching colors and patterns, the sneakers also pack a punch with plenty of high-quality Nike tech loaded into the midsole and other elements that make the sneaker a hardwood must-have.

Price: $130

Release Date: October 21, 2020

The Nike Adapt BB 2.0 “Mag” is the second version of the self-lacing sneaker that took over Nike in 2019. The sneaker’s predecessor, the 2.0, sees the sneaker in a completely different light. Despite any aesthetic differences the two models hold, the 2.0 features the same self-lacing tech that makes them $350 and makes them one of the most technically advanced basketball sneakers that the world has ever seen. This special “Mag” colorway pays homage to the fictitious sneaker that started it all and brings a special flavor to the future-forward footwear.

Price: $350

Release Date: October 15, 2020

Although these may not be as high-tech as some of the other shoes on the list, there’s a reason they’re still a classic. If you’re specifically looking for something to take to the blacktop, then these might be the right choice for you. The 2020 reissue is a revival of Tinker Hatfield’s 1992 iteration, featuring the now iconic cross-strap design. The black and white color-way is minimal, but the “Air Raid” embossed on the strap lets sneakerheads know exactly what these kicks are. The outsole utilizes extra-durable rubber, making these rugged sneakers a truly perfect fit for your needs on the outdoor court. Try as hard as you want, but you can’t beat the classics. 

Price: $115

Release Date: October 23, 2020

The ‘Lakers’ addition of Lebron’s latest silhouette is an understated entry to his line. Primarily comprised of black KnitPosite (speckled with purple), these kicks scream performance. The purple heel and metallic gold swooshes (on the forefoot and medial heel) pay homage to Lebron’s now-Champion Lakers team. The midsole house includes a full-length Zoom Air unit, while the back half of the sole features the Max Air unit. These definitely aren’t the flashiest kicks on the court, but upon close inspection, their design is immaculate. Every model of the Lebron has had a place in sneaker history, and the 18 is already well on its way to establishing itself as an iconic silhouette. 

Price: $165

Release Date: March 23, 2016

In a similar vein to the above Air Raids, these definitely aren’t the most advanced sneakers on this list from a technological perspective. But from a nostalgia and flexing perspective, it doesn’t really get any better then the Uptempos. If you’re a Bulls fan, then odds are you know these kicks. They became famous on the feet of Scottie Pippen during the Bulls legendary 1995-1996 run, but they’ve since been cemented as an absolutely iconic staple of vintage sneaker culture. The black and white color-way is muted, while the emboldened “AIR” branding gives them some real flash. The black rubber outsole makes them a great pair of kicks for the blacktop, and the black suede will keep them from looking too beat up outdoors. There’s a reason why the classics are, well, classic. 

Price: $221

Release Date: August 10, 2019

Alright this may be kind of a polarizing color-way, you can’t talk about modern Nike basketball shoes without mentioning the Kyrie 5s. The admittedly goofy ‘Squidward’ color-way, which launched last year as a collab between Nickelodeon and Nike, utilizes a ‘Frosted Spruce’ color across the upper, with a Spongebob-ified Nike logo on the heel. The Kyrie 5 has become a mainstay of many NBA players’ rotations; this pair is a great choice for players who want to take them to the court and fans of the cult cartoon who just want to flash their fandom. 

Price: $100