Converse Basketball just added another creative mind to its roster, and the signing feels like a family reunion.
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker is officially joining the Converse family, brought in by none other than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the brand’s Creative Director for Converse Basketball and one of the most influential tastemakers in the league. For Nickeil, this isn’t just a shoe deal. It’s a continuation of a shared legacy built on style, substance, and a mindset that values individuality over conformity.
Nickeil has carved out a lane as one of the NBA’s most cerebral defenders and smooth secondary playmakers. He reads offenses like a veteran, switches with confidence, and has a creator’s touch both on the court and in his day-to-day style. That creative instinct is exactly what Converse Basketball has leaned into as the brand builds a roster defined by originality and personality.
“I’ve always approached basketball as a way to express who I am. Partnering with Converse gives me the space to be creative not just in how I play, but in how I show up,” Nickeil told Converse. “They value individuality, and that’s something I’ve always carried with me. I’m excited to join a team that shares my mindset.”
He joins a lineup that already features players who blend performance with personality. Alongside Shai, Converse’s basketball roster includes Kelly Oubre Jr. and Payton Pritchard. And for the Canadian connection, Shai and Nickeil are also teammates on the Canada Basketball Senior Men’s National Team, where their chemistry has continued to grow.
The move adds another layer to Shai’s expanding influence on and off the court. As the Creative Director, he’s shaping Converse’s basketball identity and bringing in athletes who elevate the culture the same way he does through fashion, storytelling, and game-day presence.
Nickeil will wear the SHAI 001 throughout the 2025 to 2026 NBA season, strengthening the bond between two cousins who continue to leave their mark at every level of the sport.
Another win for Converse. Another win for Canadian basketball. And another reminder that the culture runs deeper than the game.
Nice article!