New Balance and LA Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard have unveiled the first signature sneaker for the player inspired by quite possibly his most famous shot of his career: the New Balance KAWHI “4 Bounces.”
The shoe marks the first New Balance model made in collaboration with a basketball player from the ground up. Packed full of details and small nods to Kawhi’s life and upbringing, the model sports the same gold, black, and blue colors as Kawhi’s OMN1S “2 Way” that he wore while sinking 2019’s famous buzzer beater against the Sixers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The shoe’s eyelets and quilt-pattern heel tab are inspired by the brake lights and interior details of Kawhi’s 1964 Chevy Impala, and the shoe’s tongue features a list of his basketball accolades: 4-time NBA All-Star player, 2-time NBA Champion, 2-time NBA Finals MVP, and 2-time Defensive Player of the Year. Finally, the shoe features an “M” motif and coordinates for his hometown of Moreno Valley, CA.
The shoe isn’t all flash, however; the KAWHI is tuned for maximum on-court versatility and power. The shoe features New Balance’s FuelCell technology in its midsole surrounded by a full-length nylon springplate for energy return and superior attack capabilities. The shoe’s upper is made from New Balance’s all-new Kinetic Stitch tech, touted by the brand as a data-driven thread patterning process for some of the best lockdown one can get.
The New Balance KAWHI “4 Bounces” releases via the New Balance website and select retailers for $160 on August 20th. The collection also includes a New Balance 850 in a near-identical colorway, a pair of slides, and a range of apparel. You can take a look at photos of the release down below (as well as vintage-inspired print style ads for the model).
New Balance KAWHI “4 Bounces”
Release Date: August 20, 2020
Price: $160 USD
New Balance 827 “4 Bounces”
Release Date: August 20, 2020
