Nike adds Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to signature roster

Nike has officially added Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to its signature athlete roster, the company confirmed on Tuesday, June 16. The two-time reigning NBA MVP moves from Converse, a subsidiary of Nike, after a six-year partnership.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who turns 28 next month, first teased the switch on his Instagram story with an animation of his personal logo transforming into two Nike swooshes. Nike later released a statement welcoming him to the Nike Basketball signature family, saying it was excited to build on his incredible impact with Converse as one of the most creative leaders in the game.

The move, while unusual, keeps Gilgeous-Alexander within the same corporate family. He began his career wearing Nike sneakers at the University of Kentucky and in his early NBA days before signing with Converse in 2020. His tenure there was highly successful, culminating in a contract extension and promotion to creative director of Converse Basketball in 2024. In that role, he was actively involved in designing his first signature shoe, the "Shai 001," which launched in February 2025. A Converse executive noted in 2025 that Gilgeous-Alexander's creative...