Mavs' Kyrie Irving Promotes ANTA Shock Wave 5 Pro in China
DALLAS — Ahead of beginning training camp with the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving is in China in part of his first shoe tour with ANTA to promote the Shock Wave 5 Pro model.
The former Nike athlete signed a shoe deal with ANTA during the offseason after finishing the 2022-23 season as a sneaker free agent.
Irving arrived at the Xiemen airport on Sunday to a packed crowd of fans eager to engage with the NBA superstar. He is expected to stop in Shanghai on Wednesday for the next part of the tour.
Irving told reporters of his plans to visit China after the Mavs' road loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 2, stating that he first had to confirm a shoe deal before establishing his logistics of that nature. At the time, Irving was linked to various potential shoe companies, but hadn't committed yet.
"Once I sign with a shoe brand, I'll start wrapping around in kind of this international world tour to introduce myself as a new brand signee or signature athlete," Irving said.
ANTA
Irving reportedly signed a five-year deal with ANTA in what he described as being a partnership that will go beyond a traditional shoe deal. He was appointed the company's Basketball Chief Creative Officer, which will also involve recruiting other potential influential figures to the brand.
“I won’t even call it a shoe deal,” Irving said on Instagram Live when announcing his new partnership. “I’m about to blow this out the water. I’m so excited about it.”
Irving frequently practiced and played in various models of his former Nike signature shoe line after the relationship was terminated, but did so while covering up the Nike swoosh with tape. He is expected to wear the ANTA Shock Wave 5 Pro in 2023-24.
Coming off a 2022-23 campaign averaging averaged 27.1 points, 5.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 60 games, Irving was also an NBA free agent, just like he was a sneaker free agent. He re-signed with the Mavs on a three-year, $120 million deal with a final year player option.
