What Are the Best Nike Basketball Shoes?

To put your best foot forward on the court, consider these eight winning sneaks. Ideal for basketball, they’ll help absorb impact, boost speed, promote stability and improve traction. To hone in on your ideal pair, reflect on your playing style and position, whether you shoot hoops indoors or out, and your risk for injury. Then, review these key priorities and the kicks that score highest on those fronts. Armed with the right pair, you’ll be able to give it your best shot.

Consider what matters most for you: outdoor play, performance, cushioning or ankle support.

If you play on concrete often, focus on durability and cushioning. The hard surface can take a toll on joints, feet and shoes.

These sneaks in Ja Morant’s line include an Air Zoom unit in the forefoot and plush cushioning in the midsole. A raised foam collar supports the ankles, while a containment system and forefoot strap provide stability.

Max Air cushioning in the heel and a sculpted foam midsole work towards absorbing shock. Meanwhile, rubber wraps up the sides assist with durability, and a herringbone-patterned outsole helps with traction.

The ultimate in this category, these shoes boast full-length ZoomX foam (which provides Nike’s highest level of energy return of all such foams). Plus, they sport super-high traction from heel to toe.

This mid-top provides responsive cushioning with three Zoom Air units. The shoe also features Nike React foam in the heel for even more cushioning and a herringbone-patterned outsole for traction.

Comfortable and responsive, these shoes in Kevin Durant’s line feature a large Air Zoom unit in the forefoot and Nike Air cushioning at the heel. The ridged outsole pattern supports traction.

The midsole of these new sneaks features two types of foam: Nike’s newest Cushlon for plushness, surrounded by firmer Cushlon for stability. An Air Zoom unit in the forefoot helps with responsiveness and support.

These shoes are mid-rise and thicker in certain areas to help keep the ankles in place. Meanwhile, Nike Air and Zoom Air units offer cushioning, and grooves and ridges in the outsole offer multidirectional traction.

Along with helping to support the ankles, these mid-rise shoes offer responsive cushioning via two Air Zoom units.