Kyrie Irving’s Anta Kai 1 ‘Green Grails’ Sneaker Celebrates His Playoff Run and Is Inspired by Jade
Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks may have fell short in the NBA Finals, but Anta is still celebrating the deep playoff run with a new colorway of his signature sneaker.
The Anta Kai 1 “Green Grails” takes on a tonal green upper inspired by jaded artifacts. Many of the colorways and detailing for the Kai 1 have invoked Irving’s Native American heritage, and the totems that inform the colorway are said to provide protection, mental focus and balance of mind, body and spirit. Anta also calls out green as a calming color, and the hue nods to the “Garden State” of New Jersey where Irving grew up as well.
A jade-like green forms the majority of the upper and is complemented by lime green accents that include the Anta logo-shaped TPU heel stabilizer and the sockliner. Rounding out the sneaker is a translucent gum outsole.
“We’re excited about this next release as the momentum continues to build on and off the court for KAI and the tribe,” Shaneika Warden, color design director for Anta, said in a press release. “It’s such an honor to continue creating a product that holds us all to a higher standard while celebrating such a historical journey thus far. We must continue to deliver premium products with soul, passion, and purpose. That said, we look forward to sharing it with the ever-expanding tribe.”
Anta has leaned into Irving’s playoff run with several new colorways for the Anta Kai 1 releasing over the course of the post season. Editions modeled after the Mavericks’ home and away jerseys rung in the beginning of the playoffs, and a gold “Playoff Energy” edition dropped just before the beginning of the NBA Finals. Irving also wore a moccasin-style Kai 1 and the streamlined Kai 1 Speed on the court, both of which have yet to release to the public.
Thus far, each release for the Kai 1 has sold out. Christian Laursen, head of Anta’s U.S. marketing, told Footwear News the company believes it could sell 10 times what it’s been able to put on the American market.
The Anta Kai 1 “Green Grails” will release Saturday, June 22, through Anta’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $125.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.