Nike Unveils Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Zoom Freak 2

Jul 16, 2020

Giannis Antetokounmpo is an extraordinary star. He isn’t called the “Greek Freak” for nothing. His wingspan is larger than his height, and those hands make the basketball look like an orange the way he’s able to palm it so easily. The NBA MVP can control the ball like a guard, yet has the power and size of a center to force his way into the lane. These physical advantages make moves like the Eurostep powerful tools in Giannis’ game.

All this is taken into account when developing the Zoom Freak 2, Giannis Antetokoumpo’s second signature basketball shoe. When Giannis hits the Eurostep, a lot of pressure is exerted on the forefoot, so a greater energy return is needed to propel Giannis forward. This is achieved with Zoom Air in the forefoot and lightweight foam cushioning in the heel. Giannis has said that this is the most comfortable shoe he has ever worn. This comfort is achieved by using a center stack of Zoom, meaning that the wearer is in direct contact with the Zoom with no foam above or below.

The Zoom Freak 2 also features a decoupled outsole separated into two parts with a supportive shank embedded in between. This allows Antetokounmpo to change directions easily, drive off the forefoot, and land in unorthodox ways on the heel.

For the first time ever, Nike hosted a Nike Members-only signature shoe unveiling on the Zoom video app. Giannis was on the call talking about the design process with Nike Basketball’s Senior Design Director Ross Klein. Giannis’ Milwaukee Bucks teammates even made a special appearance.

The Nike Zoom Freak 2 launches on July 25th with the green “Naija” colorway, paying home to Giannis’ Nigerian roots. Four colorways have been revealed so far, including a “White Cement” colorway that is set to launch on October 1st. Check out the Nike Zoom Freak 2 below and its four initial colorways in the images below.