Nike - what started off as a tiny importer of Japanese trainers in 1964 is the biggest and most popular sports brand in the world in 2019 with a total revenue of almost $40 billion!
It's difficult to keep track of all Nike basketball shoes that exist on the market: Nike not only designs the signature models of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Paul George, but also popular team models like the Hyperdunks, or the Lebron Soldier series; not to mention the wide variety of cheaper budget models.
To get a good idea of all the models on the basketball shoe market I have decided to create a database with all basketball shoes where I could find at least three trustworthy reviews on Youtube or sneaker blogs. In total, I have added 304 shoes so far and read or watched exactly 1536 reviews in doing so.
The following list shows the ten best basketball shoes by Nike ordered by their average overall rating. Shoes were last updated on Apr 28, 2024
Nike and LeBron hookup for the 21st entry in his signature shoe line. This time, with improved materials and stability.
Most reviewers agree the traction performance is solid, especially on clean courts. Make sure that you wipe on dusty courts.
The cushioning feels springy and bouncy. The Cushlon foam and Zoom units provide a balanced feel.
The upper materials are where the shoe sees the most change. The leather feels more supportive, and the tongue is breathable, too.
With the revamped upper, the support and lockdown are better. Lateral containment is incredible and secure.
Nike continues in the right direction with the LeBron signature line. The Nike LeBron 21 makes slight tweaks to improve the materials and support.
The Nike LeBron NXXT Gen features a map of Akron as its traction pattern. It grips nicely indoors and outdoors.
The foam feels firmer than the LeBron 20, but the Zoom units and shank keep the shoe comfortable and responsive.
Material quality is a downgrade, but there is no drop in performance.
Support and containment are not issues either. The materials work to keep you locked into the shoe.
The latest entry in the LeBron line of shoes has a lower price point than the flagship model and offers just as much performance.
The latest in the Nike Zoom G.T. Jump series is an impressive upgrade.
The traction is reliable, and it performs well on all court types. Dust doesn't affect performance much, but make sure to wipe.
Nike improved the cushioning setup too. The React is soft and comfortable, while the Jump Frame and Zoom Air provide outstanding bounceback.
The material quality isn't the best, but they feel comfortable.
Lateral stability isn't as secure because of the reduced Jump Frame, but the support is still fantastic and uncompromised. The shoe allows for more movement.
Overall, the Nike G.T. Jump 2 is a maximalist shoe done right.
Kevin Durant's latest signature model has slight tweaks to the tech in the shoe.
The traction takes some time to warm up, but the performance is solid in all directions.
There's no Zoom Strobel anymore. It uses an Air Strobel and a forefoot Zoom Air unit instead. The KD 16 provides plush and comfortable cushioning.
The fit feels snug and tight. Some players will have to go up half a size.
Heel containment and lockdown are improved. There's no noticeable heel slippage. The support and containment feel improved too.
Overall, the Nike KD 16 is well-balanced. It's a versatile shoe.
Nike releases the third entry in the G.T. Cut lineup using full-length ZoomX foam for the first time in a basketball shoe.
Reviewers agree the traction performs very well on clean courts, but dust causes some slipping.
ZoomX makes its debut in a basketball shoe. The cushioning feels shifty and springy, but it doesn't have as much impact protection as Zoom.
The materials are a disappointment, especially considering the shoe's price. They don't hamper performance much, but they feel cheap.
The fit is solid as long as you tighten down the laces.
Support and lockdown are decent, but be aware the containment has some give to it.
The Nike G.T. Cut 3 is a solid enough performer because of the traction and cushioning.
Sabrina Ionescu's debut signature sneaker with Nike is a pleasant surprise. There are a ton of features players will enjoy.
The traction is grippy and performs well, especially on clean courts. Just make sure to wipe on dustier surfaces.
Nike uses React foam and a wafer-thin Zoom unit in the forefoot. This setup is best for shifty players who prioritize responsiveness over bounciness.
The materials are a feature reviewers all agree is a standout. The uppers feel comfortable and breathable while remaining supportive.
The support and lockdown are also impressive because of the lacing system. It lets the shoe conform to your foot.
The Nike Sabrina 1 is almost Kobe-esque. The traction, materials, and support all make the shoe feel like it belongs in the Kobe line.
The first takedown model within Nike's G.T. lineup, the Nike G.T. Cut Academy, makes its mark as a solid budget performer.
Reviewers agree the traction is better than expected. Some even called the performance top-tier.
Nike uses Renew foam and a forefoot Zoom unit for the cushioning. It's comfortable and geared more towards impact protection.
The material breathability could be better, but the shoe is comfortable. There are no performance issues with the materials either.
Support and lockdown are also solid. The shoe has the added benefit of additional lace holes for extra customization.
The Nike G.T. Cut Academy is a worthy first takedown entry within the G.T. line of shoes, thanks to the impressive traction.
The Nike Zoom Freak 5 departs from the typical shoes in Giannis Antetokounmpo's line.
The traction performance is phenomenal. Reviewers agree there's no break-in time, and the shoe performs well out of the box.
Nike cut back on the complex tech in the cushioning, but it still has bounce. It feels springy and stable.
The fit is unforgiving, especially for wide-footers. It also feels snug.
Support and lockdown are decent. Most of the security comes from the stable foam and lacing system.
The Nike Zoom Freak 5 has outstanding traction, and the cushioning gets the job done.
Ja Morant's first signature shoe features inconsistent traction performance. The rubber is dense, making it hard to grip the court.
Reviewers agree the Phylon is soft and responsive, but it feels flat. Some mentioned the forefoot Zoom felt bouncy.
The materials aren't the best, but the quality doesn't affect performance. They're lightweight and breathable.
The fit is the most consistent aspect of the shoe. All reviewers recommend going true to size.
The Nike Ja 1 is an alright starting point in Morant's shoe line. It's playable, but there's room for improvement.
Nike changed the name from the G.T. Run to the G.T. Hustle 2, which is much more fitting for the shoe.
All reviewers agree the outsole pattern is unique. The traction performs on clean courts, but there's a distinct lack of continuous ground contact.
The cushioning setup is low to the ground but remains bouncy. It also provides plenty of feedback.
The fit is accommodating, but some reviewers mentioned issues with the lacing. The midsole bottoming out can also cause discomfort with the fit.
Support and lockdown are safe. The shoe feels flexible, but containment isn't an issue.
The Nike G.T. Hustle 2 surprised reviewers with how well it nails its identity. The shoe is light and bouncy. It's an overall joy to play in.
Nike has been in the basketball shoe business forever and they have really perfected the fit of their shoes in my opinion. All versions of a specific model run similarly long and wide. That means if last year's Kobe model fit you perfectly in size 10, then it's highly likely that the next model will too!
There is no need to find a sneaker store to try on each pair. I bought Kobe models online for years on and never had any problems, the same can't be said about every shoe brand!
2. Your Favourite Basketball Player is with Nike
Most of the great basketball players have signed a signature deal with Nike. If you're a fan of Kyrie Irving, Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Paul George or Kobe Bryant then you'll definitely want to go with Nike and rock their latest signature models.
3. Great Tech
Nike has always been a driver of innovation in the world of performance basketball shoes. The debut of Nike Zoom Air revolutionized the cushioning of basketball sneakers in 1995 and even over 20 years later it's still the most responsive cushioning system on the market!
4. The Iconic Swoosh
There is no denying that Nike makes some of the best looking basketball shoes on the market. Phil Knight bought the design of the now-famous Nike swoosh for an incredible $35 from design student Carolyne Davidson - that's got to be one of the best investments of all time!
5. There's a Shoe for Everybody!
Nike releases so many basketball shoes - they truly have a model that works perfectly for every type of basketball player. Big and heavy guys pick the Lebron 17, quick guards the Kyrie 6 and if you like cushioning and have narrow feet then the KD 13 is perfect!