Nike has officially launched the latest signature sneaker from LeBron James—the LeBron XXIII. With revolutionary technology and a story-driven design, it aims to make waves once again on the court. LeBron James himself unveiled the new kicks during his 15th visit to China as part of his Asian tour in 2025, celebrating the significant milestone of 20 years of collaboration with Nike.
The LeBron XXIII brings together years of research and development from Nike, featuring for the first time a fully responsive ZoomX cushioning system with a removable embedded midsole, delivering an outstanding feel and energy return. This lightweight, high-rebound foam design, combined with the innovative Crown Containment System, significantly enhances stability and shock absorption, crafted specifically for LeBron James and the new generation of players following in his footsteps. The outsole utilizes a multidirectional dynamic pattern design that boosts traction and responsiveness, helping players maintain agility in high-intensity matchups.
The carbon fiber support plate beneath the ZoomX foam enhances torsional strength, effectively transferring energy to the ground. The upper is made from lightweight engineered materials, while the lining features a soft structure that boosts overall comfort and breathability. This ensures players can stay cool and focused even during intense competitions.
The LeBron XXIII tells the story of 23 pivotal moments in LeBron James’ career through 23 unique colorways. This includes the Uncharted colorway, which commemorates him becoming the first player in NBA history to surpass 40,000 career points; the Miami Twice colorway reflecting on his glorious era of winning back-to-back NBA championships and Finals MVPs; and the The Chosen One and the One Who Chose colorway paying tribute to the moment on October 22, 2024, when he and his son, Bronny James, make history as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
Each colorway comes with a specially designed printed T-shirt and is stored in a collectible 3D shoe box, Crown. The shoe box design is inspired by LeBron’s three career stages: The Chosen 1 Has Arrived, Claiming the Crown, and Long Live the King. It also includes a detailed Forever King story manual and exclusive accessories for the shoes.
In addition to the combat boots, Nike has launched the Forever King apparel line, paying homage with jerseys and shorts ranging from high school days to current professional teams, including St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. The collection also features a variety of university t-shirts, shorts, and jackets, crafted from premium woven fabrics, adorned with metallic details and embroidery, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and a contemporary design aesthetic.
making history on October 22, 2024, as the first father-son duo to play together in the NBA.
Nike’s Senior Director of Men’s Basketball Footwear Design, Ross Klein, states that the design core of the LeBron XXIII focuses on creating a direct interaction between the wearer and the ZoomX foam, offering a groundbreaking energy return experience underfoot. Meanwhile, Wil Green, Senior Director of Nike Basketball Apparel Design, emphasizes that the series blends retro and modern styles, dedicated to fully showcasing LeBron James’s on-court charisma and personal taste.
The LeBron XXIII will launch on October 3rd through Nike.com and select retail locations in the Uncharted colorway, with additional styles to follow. The Forever King apparel collection is expected to make its full debut before winter 2025, surely becoming a standout choice for LeBron fans and basketball enthusiasts alike.
