While Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently wearing the second installment of his signature sneaker line during the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Nike is soon to release the third iteration of the line, dubbed the Zoom Freak 3, with two colourways slated for an August release in North America.
Nike Basketball today announced that the first two colourways — a black and purple "Project 34" colourway and an orange "Freak" colourway — will be the first to release.
Per Nike, "the Zoom Freak 3 is built for creating space through radical downhill angles. The shoe’s tech supports the dominant physicality that defines Giannis Antetokounmpo’s style of play and helps to progress his Euro step, which the power forward uses to warp the distance between his body and the basket."
One of the sneaker's most identifying features is the forefoot strap, which appears on Giannis' sneaker for the first time. Consistent with prior Zoom Freak releases, the shoe features a large Nike Swoosh as well as a similar midsole and outsole configuration that aligns with the Swoosh.
Antetokounmpo's signature "GA" logo, which can also be spotted in some of the halls of Fiserv Forum, is also prominently featured on the shoe's tongue.
As for more technological specifics, the shoe also features two Zoom Air units under the ball of the feet, which, per Nike, "help absorb energy and provide responsiveness." Ross Klein, Sr. Creative Director for Men's Performance Footwear at Nike, shared that the brand "wanted to contour the design to fit the way (Giannis) transitions from step to step."
In his first two seasons with a signature shoe, Antetokounmpo has posted averages of 28.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, winning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in 2020.
Milwaukee's superstar doesn't plan to debut the Zoom Freak 3 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks, but we could see the newest sneaker from Nike grace the hardwood at some point during Antetokounmpo's pursuit of his first-ever NBA title.
For more information on the Zoom Freak 3, head here.
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