Watch a Venus flytrap snatch its prey with deadly precision after patiently lying in wait, and you can see the parallels to All-Star Kyrie Irving. The dynamic point guard strikes with deceptive speed after freezing opponents with his hypnotic ball handling, again and again.
When Nike designer Leo Chang and team began designing the KYRIE 1 basketball shoe, the goal was to build a shoe capable of responding to Irving’s tremendous speed and quickness. The KYRIE 1 needed to be light and responsive with the best traction Nike Basketball could develop to facilitate Irving’s prolific first step.
The KYRIE 1 delivers three primary performance benefits: pinpoint responsiveness with Nike Zoom Air cushioning, outstanding grip with a 360-degree dynamic traction pattern and ultra support with Hyperfuse construction.
The KYRIE 1 Flytrap unites that innovation with a colorway story about the Venus flytrap’s split second attack. The shoe’s green-and-mango color scheme are inspired by the hues of a Venus flytrap plant.
As Nike Basketball’s latest signature athlete, Irving and his first shoe live up to the performance and storytelling expectations set by previous signature kicks.
The new Kyrie Irving logo on the shoe’s tongue represents his inner strength and hunger to learn.
Hand-written details in Irving’s penmanship: #2 on the upper heel along with his personal signature on the inside of the tongue.
The jagged pattern on the wrapped traction near the toe and heel counter with architectural angles are both inspired by the opera house in Irving’s homeland of Australia.
The acronym “JBY” that sits beneath Irving’s new logo on the outsole stands for “Just Be You,” a motto that Irving hopes inspires kids as they establish their own unique identities.
The KYRIE 1 Flytrap shoes, t-shirt and hat is available globally at nike.com and select retail locations on Feb. 26.
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