Converse began as a weather-proof rubber shoe company that released its first basketball shoe in 1917. Since then the Massachusetts company has released plenty of iconic sneakers. These are the NBA players who have received their own signature shoe.
Chuck Taylor – Chuck Taylor All-Star
Chuck Taylor was a professional basketball player who visited the Converse factory to make suggestions about how the sneaker could be improved. He ended up becoming one of the brand’s key ambassadors and his name was added to the All-Star sneaker.
Julius Erving – Converse Dr. J
While Chuck Taylor was the first pro basketball player to sign an endorsement deal with a sneaker brand, the company wouldn’t have another signature shoe until the mid-70s. They hit a homerun with their Dr. J sneaker made for Nets and 76ers megastar Julius Erving.
Larry Bird – Black and White Converse Weapon
Nike made a huge splash by signing Michael Jordan to a major deal and creating the iconic Air Jordan shoe. Converse countered Nike’s big play by making one of their own and creating signature shoes for famed rivals Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Magic Johnson – Converse Magic Johnson
While the workmanlike Bird’s Converse Weapons were done in a simple black and white. Magic Johnson, the leader of the Showtime Lakers, just much flashier kicks as his were in yellow, purple and white Los Angeles colors.
Larry Johnson – Converse Aeroglide
Larry Johnson was a major star and UNLV and the first overall selection of the 1991 NBA Draft. Converse was quick to sign him to a deal and make him the face of their brand. It was a winning combination as Johnson’s Grandmama ad spots were big hits.
Kevin Johnson – Converse Run ‘N Slam
The Phoenix Suns of the early to mid 90s were one of the NBA’s best teams, featuring players like Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle and Danny Manning. Point Guard Kevin Johnson was among the league’s best, making All-Star teams and rocking the Run ‘N Slams.
JR Rider – Converse Sky Rider
JR Rider had a sensational start to his NBA career making First-Team All Rookie and winning the Slam Dunk Contest and Converse rapidly signed him up. But while Rider could score in bunches, he couldn’t stay out of trouble and he was out of the NBA by 2002.
Latrell Sprewell – Converse Acropolis
Latrell Sprewell was a tough and dynamic player making First-Team All-NBA in 1994. His good times with the Warriors wouldn’t last and he was traded to the Knicks after an incident with coach P.J. Carleisimo. He would become a star again with the Knicks and T-Wolves and sign a deal with Dada.
Dennis Rodman – Converse All-Star 91
Dennis Rodman wasn’t a superstar in the classical sense, but the star power forward was a big enough star to get his own shoe for Converse. The brand opted to take a classic look and worm is up, making Rodman one of their brand representatives.
Master P – Converse No Limit MP
Percy Miller, better known as Master P, never played in the NBA, but the rapper did spend time in training camp with the Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. Converse inked Miller to a deal, producing one of the first rapper signature shoes.
Dwyane Wade – Converse Wade
Dwyane Wade was overshadowed at first as he was drafted in the same class as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. That didn’t last long as Wade became the first star from his class to win a title and got his own signature shoe from Converse.
Elton Brand – Converse EB
Elton Brand didn’t have the kind of career typical of a first overall pick, but he did make two All-Star games and received a Second-Team All-NBA nod in 2006. He signed with Converse in 2008 and the brand produced three EB signature shoes.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Converse Weapon Shai
After more than a decade of not creating any signature shoes, Converse not only made superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a signature shoe, they made him a creative director. The Oklahoma City star’s first release is the Converse Weapon Shai.