With the NBA offseason officially underway, the data experts at Sportscasting.com have crunched the numbers from KixStats to determine the most popular basketball shoes worn by NBA players in 2024.
Key Highlights:
The NBA has a very strict protocol for players’ appearances on the court, including the brand of shoes they wear. Upon entering the league, many rookies sign contracts with big shoe companies like Nike, Adidas, Jordan, and more. While Nike has dominated the league for decades, stars have increasingly signed to different brands like Jordan, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, 361 and more.
Last season (including playoffs), NBA players wore Nike shoes 66% of the time compared to 70% of the time in 2023, representing a 5.7% drop year-over-year. Despite the decrease, Nike still holds 9 of the top 10 most popular basketball shoes worn on the court in 2024, including four shoes from Kobe Bryant’s signature line.
Check out the most popular basketball shoes worn by NBA players in 2024, ranked by total minutes on the court.
Here is a glimpse at some of the most popular basketball shoes worn by NBA players in 2024.
The Nike Kobe 6 was by far the most popular shoe worn on the court in the 2023-2024 NBA season. The popular shoe saw 62,621 minutes of court time, which averages out to 1,304 games this past season. In fact, the Kobe 6s were 87.4% more popular than the next most popular shoe (Nike KD 16).
In the 2023-2024 NBA season, the Nike Kobe 6s were also the most popular basketball shoe chosen among players, with players choosing to wear the shoe 3035 times during the year.
The Nike Kobe 6 is revered as one of the best basketball shoes ever. While it was released in 2010 and designed by Kobe Bryant himself, the shoe’s technology preceded its time. The Kobe 6 delivers both stability and support, allowing players to move confidently around the court.
While new colorways are set to be released in 2025, the Kobe 6s are among the hardest shoes to find on the market. They retail at $190 USD, but since Bryant’s death, his signature basketball shoes are sold on secondary markets for as low as $250 USD.
The Nike KD 16 is a popular basketball shoe from Kevin Durant’s signature line. The 16s made huge leaps from the 15s, providing wearers with extra traction on the rubber sole and an excellent cushioning system.
This year, the Nike KD 16 was among the top shoes in the NBA. Based on a voting system, it was the second most popular shoe worn, with 1633 players listing it as their choice basketball shoe.
The Nike KD 16 was worn for 33,407 minutes on the court in the 2023-2024 NBA season, totaling 695 games. It’s available in multiple colorways, and fans can find them in-store at a retail price of $155 USD to $170 USD, depending on style.
A very popular shoe among guards, the Nike Kobe IV Protro is a low-top masterpiece providing players with a responsive and aesthetic basketball shoe. The Nike Kobe IV Protro has a foam midsole that is soft and very springy, along with energy-returning responsiveness.
The Nike Kobe IV Protros were worn for 23,808 minutes this season, covering 496 games. They were the third most popular shoe, with 1216 players picking them.
Like most shoes from Kobe’s signature line, the Nike Kobe IV Protro is hard to find in retail stores. While the shoes retail at $190 USD, they are sold for much more in secondary markets. The Nike Kobe IV Protro will release more colorways shortly, including “Girl Dad” and “Black,” retailing for around $245 USD.
The WNBA has gained a lot of attention in the last year, thanks in large part to Caitlyn Clark’s effect on attendance and ticket sales. However, preceding her, Sabrina Ionescu has left a mark on the WNBA and shoe game as a whole.
Known for her skill and versatility on the court, the Nike Sabrina 1 embodies her craft through a pair of shoes. The Nike Sabrina 1 can be found in stores for around $130, depending on the colorway.
The first ever WNBA signature shoe to make an appearance on the list, the Nike Sabrina 1 was worn on the court for 18,425 minutes or approximately 383 games this season. It was also the fourth most popular shoe by NBA players, with 955 total appearances on the court this season.
Another shoe released from Bryant’s line, the Nike Kobe V, was a hit during its first release. The Nike Kobe V started the league’s first wave of low-top shoes. The shoe is popular among guards and forwards due to its unique nature of combined responsiveness and low-to-ground feel. The shoe provides a stable launchpad to allow players to create space and make a shot from anywhere on the court.
The Nike Kobe V was released in 2010 but saw a surge on the court in the 2024 NBA season. The shoe was worn for 18,385 minutes on the court, amounting to 278 games. While Bryant’s signature shoe line has been dropping more releases and colorways, the Nike Kobe V isn’t easily found in retail stores. It is listed at a retail value of $200 USD per pair.
The only shoe designed by LeBron James in the top 10, the Nike LeBron XX has exceeded expectations. The latest shoe in his line, the XX, is lighter, lower to the ground, and offers players a turbo-like feel.
The shoes are comfortable yet supportive, fast, and responsive. The Nike LeBron XX was rated among the top shoes in the NBA. In the 2024 NBA season, James’ signature shoe saw 16,424 minutes on the court for a total of 342 games. Fans can pick up a pair for around $210 USD, depending on the colorway.
The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 was made for guards. It’s the first shoe on the list that isn’t a part of a player’s signature line. The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 was designed to help with players’ agility, providing the ability to stop on a dime and minimizing court contact when switching directions.
The particular model provides the ultimate traction on the court, allowing players to take off instantly. The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 uses the latest Nike React technology and is highly reviewed by guards. In the 2023-2024 season, the basketball shoes were worn on the court for 15,714 minutes. The Nike G.T. Cut 2 retails at $225, depending on the colorway.
The fourth shoe featured on the top 10 list from Kobe Bryant’s line, the Nike Kobe 8, is arguably one of the best shoes for traction. It is a popular shoe among guards and forwards, with players like Tyrese Haliburton, Dillon Brooks, Jordan Clarkson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Julius Randle, and more.
The basketball shoes are known for their traction and soft rubber pattern, and they are made for indoor courts. The Nike Kobe 8 features a stable cushion that absorbs impact well. This season, the Nike Kobe 8 was seen on the court for a total of 15,430 minutes. Like most shoes from Kobe’s signature line, they are rarely seen in retail stores. Fans are looking to pay at least USD $200 for a pair.
The only basketball shoes not made by Nike to make it in the top 10, the New Balance Two WXY 4 was a very popular shoe this season. The shoe was made to push boundaries and is well-received among forwards and guards.
The New Balance Two WXY 4 features a unique feel featuring built-in support that allows for quick lateral movements and high-impact jumps and landings. The shoe is worn by some of the biggest NBA stars like Jamal Murray, Darius Garland, Tyrese Maxey, Zach Lavine, Aaron Nesmith, and more.
One of the most affordable shoes on the list, some New Balance Two WXY 4, are sold at $120 USD per pair.
A well-loved shoe among forwards, the Nike G.T. Hustle 2 takes the last spot in the top 10. Some of the biggest NBA stars, including Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Love, Mason Plumlee, Draymond Green, Khris Middleton, Lauri Markkanen, and more, play in these shoes.
The basketball shoes are lightweight and responsive, with a full-length foam that provides optimal cushioning at high speeds. The Nike G.T. Hustle 2 provides a propulsive feeling with the Zoom Air technology on the bottom. Fans can find certain colorways priced at $170 USD.
