Nike unveiled this week the LeBron 23 and showed the first 3 of 23 colorways that will channel stories from LeBron James‘ career. Now the fourth has leaked, and it mashes up James’ first signature sneaker with his newest.
The Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening sees the forthcoming signature sneaker borrow elements from the Air Zoom Generation with its crown-shaped cradle taking on the same red diamond-pattern from one of the 2003 shoes’ most known colorways. A detailed white engineered knit underneath then takes on a lion’s face as part of its pattern, while the outsole is rendered in an icy translucent blue.
On the heel and medial side, you’ll find James’ first logo, which will be replicated on a complementary charm, as well as a purchasable graphic T-shirt, just like in all 22 other colorways for the shoe.
Aside from the considered storytelling, the LeBron 23 boasts the line’s first full-length ZoomX drop-in sole, which is paired with a carbon fiber shank and an outsole incorporating the number 23 in its pattern.
“One of the things that’s so powerful about the LeBron 23 is that the foot engages directly with our ZoomX foam, enabling an unmatched level of connectivity and court feel,” Ross Klein, Nike senior director of men’s basketball footwear product design,” said in a Wednesday press release. “There’s nothing that beats ZoomX: The energy return, the responsiveness, the weight, the sensation — it hits every level of what athletes love.”
“One of the things that’s so powerful about the LeBron 23 is that the foot engages directly with our ZoomX foam, enabling an unmatched level of connectivity and court feel,” Ross Klein, Nike senior director of men’s basketball footwear product design,” said in a Wednesday press release. “There’s nothing that beats ZoomX: The energy return, the responsiveness, the weight, the sensation — it hits every level of what athletes love.”
Sept. 25 will bring the launch of the LeBron 23 in its gold Uncharted colorway celebrating James becoming the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career points, albeit exclusively in China before an Oct. 3 global launch.
The Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening will then release on Nov. 3 through Nike’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $210.
Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening (lateral)
Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening (medial)
Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening (above)
Nike LeBron 23 Grand Opening (heel)