August 11, 2023

Must-Have Shoes To Make the Team

Elhadji Mare

Elhadji is a Creative Content Strategist & Writer @ StockX

Looking to make it off the bench this year? Maybe you need some new shoes. Here are the best sneakers and cleats to make the team.

Looking to make it off the bench this year? Maybe you need some new shoes. Here are the best sneakers and cleats to make the team.

ā€œItā€™s the player, not the equipment.ā€ But a player is nothing without the proper tools. Afterall, where would a basketball player be without their sneakers, a baseball player without their glove, or a tennis player without their racquet? You quite literally cannot be an effective player without some help of trusted equipment. So if youā€™re looking to make the team, StockX is here to help you make an impact.

Nike LeBron 20 Violet Frost

Nike and LeBron continue their lifelong partnership with the Nike LeBron 20 Violet Frost. With every new addition to LeBronā€™s lineage, the sneakers have become more focused on tech/performance, with the Nike LeBron 20 serving as a prime example of the seriesā€™ evolution. These sneakers come equipped with lightweight yet durable mesh on the upper, a Turbo Zoom Air unit in the sole for maximum comfort, and some of the best rubber traction Iā€™ve felt in a shoe in quite some time. I personally hooped in a pair of these and they had me feeling like I could shoot, rebound, and crossover like I could play alongside LeBron myself.

Puma LaMelo Ball MB.02 Rookie Of The Year

LaMelo Ball was one of the NBAā€™s most talked-about rookies back in 2020. Alongside his impressive skills, his signature sneakers with Puma amassed a great deal of attention for their on-court capabilities, looks, and obtainable price points. Since showcasing the MB.01, Puma has been seen as a major player in basketball sneakers, and they look to keep the momentum going with the MB.02. The Puma LaMelo Ball MB.02 Rookie Of The Year utilizes NITRO-infused midsole tech to provide instant responsiveness for quick movements. An engineered mesh upper brings breathability to your feet and a mid-cut design adds support to your ankles. The sneaker is currently reselling far below its retail price, making it an easy go-to for those looking to hoop in a more affordable pair at a great value.

Nike Ja 1 Day One

Ja Morantā€™s impact on the Memphis Grizzlies has not gone unnoticed, especially with an average score of almost 30 points per game. Even despite recent off-the-court issues, itā€™s undeniable that Ja is poised to be one of the next major NBA superstars with a sneaker legacy all their own. Enter the signature Nike Ja 1, which debuted this past season and sold at a rate even we weren’t expecting. The Nike Ja 1 Day One is packed with a Zoom Air unit to help propel you to the hoop during vertical leaps and a forefoot strap to keep you stable while you perform explosive movements on the court.

Salomon XT-6 White Lunar Rock

With the sneaker being so popular in streetwear, I think people often forget that the Salomon XT-6 is first and foremost a trail running shoe. The Salomon XT-6 White Lunar Rock features resistant TPU uppers and lightweight mesh, while also supplying a Quicklace system to secure your foot and thick outsole treads for durable traction on the field. Also, theyā€™re Salomons, one of the hottest brands out right now, so youā€™ll look great while leaving your competition behind.

Nike ZoomX Dragonfly Sprint Spikes White

Thatā€™s right track & field stars, running spikes are on StockX ā€” and are in great supply. The Nike ZoomX Dragonfly Sprint Spikes White are here to make every second and meter count while you race. Properly placed forefoot plate is there for a seamless transition from toe-off to heel strike and lightweight uppers make the shoes even easier to wear while you sprint.

Jordan 1 Low TD Cleat Chicago (2023)

Michael Jordanā€™s greatness on the court transcended basketball, making players of every sport aspire to ā€œBe Like Mikeā€. The Air Jordan 1 Low TD Cleat Chicago brings the classic red, white, and black colorway to the football field. This cleat features synthetic leather uppers to tackle heavy impact and wide-set studs on the outsole to allow players to move easily through the grass. If youā€™re looking for other signature Jordan 1 colorways for your cleats, there are other familiar colorways of the TD Cleat on StockX as well.Ā