Oct 25, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesClemente Almanza, OKC Thunder WireFri, November 21, 2025 at 9:00 PM UTC·2 min readKeeping it in the family, Converse has added Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a shoe deal. Of course, he brand's growing NBA roster is headlined by his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He is their Basketball Creative Director.
Anybody who follows the NBA should know how close Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander-Walker are. Both grew up together and had similar basketball journeys. Gilgeous-Alexander went to Kentucky and was drafted with the No. 11 pick of the 2018 NBA draft. Alexander-Walker went to Virginia Tech and was drafted with the No. 17 pick of the 2019 NBA draft.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSince then, though, both have had vastly different NBA experiences. Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed into an MVP winner and NBA champion on the Oklahoma City Thunder. He's one of the league's best players. He's on the cusp of being in the same conversations as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Walker has carved out a role in the NBA. It took him a while to find his footing in the league. But he had a breakout season last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The cousins squared off in the 2025 Western Conference Finals.
After his best season, Alexander-Walker utilized that to get a massive payday with the Atlanta Hawks at a four-year, $62 million deal this past offseason. He's been one of their best players this season and has helped them survive Trae Young's absence.
Gilgeous-Alexander launched his first signature shoe — 'SHAI 001' — last year. Since then, he's dropped a handful of colorway editions. They've been a hit, to say the least. Anytime Converse restocks, they quickly sell out — both online and in person.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs part of his Converse deal, Alexander-Walker will wear the SHAI 001 shoes. He's worn them before in games. Gilgeous-Alexander reacted to the shoe endorsement news.
"It's amazing. I'm happy for him. Happy for the opportunity," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "It's amazing. It feels good."
Converse has given Gilgeous-Alexander the keys to their NBA shoe brand. So far, you have to be happy with the results. To have the reigning MVP as the face of your brand is obviously humungous. The raving reviews of his signature shoe have also helped.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'happy' to see Nickeil Alexander-Walker join Converse
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