Anthony Edwards’ adidas Empire Has Never Been Stronger

Lionel Messi. Bad Bunny. Patrick Mahomes. Lamine Yamal. Noah Lyles. That’s the kind of company Anthony Edwards keeps within the adidas universe. In basketball, he’s become what those names are in their own lanes: a franchise face, a culture driver, and one of the few athletes with enough charisma to carry a full-blown movement. Ant is well beyond “next up” status at this point. He’s a bonafide superstar, and when it’s all said and done, maybe, just maybe, one of the best to ever do it.

If it hasn’t been clear that Edwards is priority No. 1 for adidas Basketball, you haven’t been paying close enough attention. Nobody else gets the jab-heavy ad campaigns. Nobody else gets tapped for Hellstar collabs, linking the brand with one of the hottest streetwear names among young men of Ant’s generation. Nobody else is getting mules, cleats, and a takedown model under the same signature umbrella. Simply put, nobody is doing it like Anthony Edwards right now.

With the Anthony Edwards footwear franchise expanding fast over the past few months, we linked with our friends at adidas to put together a full rundown of everything currently on the table. Shown below is a full shopping guide to all things Ant, broken down by the Anthony Edwards 1 Low Football Cleat, the Anthony Edwards Believe That, and of course, the Anthony Edwards 2. Keep scrolling to dive in, or head to adidas.com to score a pair now.

As of late, adidas Basketball has been more evolution than total reinvention from shoe to shoe. Given that the AE1 warranted Sneaker of the Year consideration upon release, you’d better Believe that’s true for Ant’s signature shoe.

The rigid lines and aggressive design language from the AE1 are intact for his second shoe, but the team only bolstered the tooling that made step #1 a slam dunk. The articulated fangs assist in lockdown, a propulsion plate makes these even springier, and a new fabric mesh build makes this the lightest Anthony Edwards shoe yet.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the adidas Anthony Edwards 2 yet, this truly is a perfect time, with plenty of colorway options to choose from. All three of our selections have Edwards’ on-court stamp behind them, but the “Lucid Blue” keeps the homefront in mind with unabashed Timberwolves pride. A “Core Black/Lime Burst” offers a City Edition flip on that same concept. Finally, push the envelope even further with the “Black/Multicolor,” the most expressive we’ve seen to date.

The real mark of a superstar in sneakers is being able to support multiple product families. While Ant dipping back into his gridiron roots is one thing, he’s already got two parallel movements going on the hardwood. On top of his signature kicks, adidas recently unveiled the Believe That 1, a cost-conscious takedown that keeps all that Edwards attitude at a more approachable sticker price.

Even in a simpler form, the Believe That 1 holds onto the futuristic aesthetics that made the AE1 a smash hit, as its mesh foundation and molded sides demonstrate. Dreamstrike cushioning and herringbone traction ensure performance fit for the perennial All-Star. An “Acid Orange” colorway keeps Ant’s Georgia roots at the forefront, but you can write your own story with a flashy “Solar Turbo” or a menacing all-black.

Had Anthony Edwards not chosen basketball, there’s a real chance he’d be playing in the NFL right now. That’s not blowing smoke, either. Ant was a highly touted youth football player, ranked among the best Pop Warner running backs in the country before hanging ’em up to focus on hoops in high school.

In another universe, then, the adidas Anthony Edwards 1 Low Football Cleat might’ve been his footwear of choice. While the AE 1 is no longer releasing as a basketball shoe, adidas has revisited Ant’s first signature model for the gridiron, and dare we say, the concept works beautifully. Multiple colorways are available now via the adidas website, but our favorite is a red pair that reminds us of Ant’s Georgia Bulldogs days.