Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nike unveils Zoom Freak 2 ahead of restart

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s second signature shoe has received a release date, and the Greek Freak could potentially debut them for the NBA’s restart.

Fresh off of his first MVP award last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo joined elite company alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and others as Nike signature athletes. His first signature sneaker, the Zoom Freak 1, was a smash hit with both fans and players alike, and the next model in the line is coming very soon.

Much like the Zoom Freak 1, Giannis was a leading voice in the creative process behind designing this next model, which it was revealed on Thursday will go on sale in just over a week. Giannis’ brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex were also involved in the process, making it very much a family affair.

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As detailed by Jarrell Harris of Sports Illustrated:

"“The Zoom Freak 2 connects back to Giannis’s roots in Nigeria. He made sure to celebrate his family within the shoe and tied them into the product in which Nike called it a “Creative Family Collective.” Joined by his brothers Thanasis (Bucks), Kostas (Lakers) and Alex (overseas), the four sat throughout meeting with Nike and all made decisions on the sneaker. On the shoe you can find nods to their parents, Charles and Veronica. On the sockline you will find the words, “I am my father’s legacy,” and on the traction is a print of their roots and Giannis’ journey to the NBA.”"

Ross Klein, Nike’s Senior Creative Director for Nike Basketball, stated on a Zoom call that working with Giannis and his brothers was a joyful process because of their dedication. Given Antetokounmpo’s freakish athleticism and play style, creating a shoe designed for him was undoubtedly a daunting task, but Klein detailed how No. 34 made the process go more smoothly.

"“He’s a pretty great collaborator as a design partner because he’s telling you how the game’s moving for him, how he’s moving and what he’s training toward.”"

As for the sneaker fanatics focused on the materials and design of the shoe, the second model showcases many differences compared to its predecessor, according to Victor Deng of Sole Collector:

"“To help make his moves more effective on the court, the Zoom Freak 2 offers a textile mesh upper that allows the shoe to flex as needed and unlike its predecessor, the Swoosh branding has been reverted to its traditional state. Continuing down to the lightweight foam midsole is a Zoom Air cushioning unit in the forefoot for explosiveness while a shank plate and the decoupled outsole provides stability. Additional details include his “GA” logo on the heel counter as well as both his parents name etched onto the midsole.”"

With the NBA restart set to take place over the next few months, Antetokounmpo will likely take the court with his fair share of player editions in Orlando. The Milwaukee Bucks shared a look at Giannis wearing the sneakers during a recent practice on their Instagram, and it would not come as a surprise if he broke out a few pairs in the coming weeks.

The Zoom Freak 1 was a highly-coveted sneaker upon its release and made a splash in the NBA world immediately. P.J. Tucker, the league’s ‘sneaker king,’ shared some high praise last season ahead of Antetokounmpo’s first signature sneaker release. Tucker stated that it might have been the best basketball sneaker released in 2019, some noteworthy praise from a player with over 4,000 sneakers in his collection.

The Zoom Freak 2 has plenty of hype surrounding it after its predecessor took the world by storm in the summer of 2019, and hopefully, it can live up to it. Priced at $130, the Zoom Freak 2 will see a $10 increase from its debut model, a common theme among signature sneakers. The highly anticipated Zoom Freak 2’s first colorway, deemed the green/white “Naija”, drops on July 25th, followed by the black/white colorway on August 7th.

Giannis Antetokounmpo shared his own images of four upcoming colorways of the shoes on Twitter, with a subtle message attached: “#StayFreaky.”

For Bucks fans, the hope will be that the Zoom Freak 2 helps to power Giannis’ game to even greater heights.