SNEAKER NEWS STAFF PICKS

The bearded one might have the best signature shoe out on the market. James Harden’s Vol. 9 has been gaining viral attention with his color-matched supercars, but the shoes can offer an equally smooth and high-powered ride with its incredible BOOST and Lightstrike Pro combo. Debuting earlier in 2025, the adidas Harden Vol. 9 has exploded onto the scene with power, each attached with its own alter ego. The “Hellcat” is its most recent drop, but see the other available options just below.

If you’re a number one scoring option on a team, your rest on the bench is as important as your minutes on the court. The adidas adiFOM IIINFINITY expands on the trending slide/sandal movement, offering an early-2000s era design aesthetic in a full-foam build and a matte exterior finish. Slip ‘em on and off hands-free and give your feet a much-deserved rest…but only after you’ve left it all out on the court.

Damian Lillard has that rare and unique ability to unlock a new gear in crunch time. While many are slowing down from fatigue, the Weber State legend actually turns it up a notch and applies the pressure on offense. This is simply known as Dame Time, and throughout his career he’s epitomized the clutch gene with his late-game heroics. The Bay Area native will now focus his intensity on overcoming an injury he sustained during the 2025 Playoffs.

If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to live up to the hype and close out what may be their greatest season in franchise history, Donovan Mitchell has to enter superhero mode. As the face of the 64-win Cavs, Spida and his D.O.N. Issue 6 could be the duo to beat in the 2025 Playoffs. Powered by a Lightstrike midsole and a super lightweight package, the sixth signature shoe is worthy of any rotation — and could be the one hoisting the trophy.

In this current generation of sneaker design, the past most certainly informs the future. The Crazy IIINFINITY stands as an exemplar of that principle, bridging the iconic and polarizing Crazy 1 basketball shoe from 2000 with modern styling and tooling such as the zipper enclosure, the molded upper, and a high-gloss finish. The rest of the collection echoes the same ethos.