Did you know? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is not the first Canadian to have his own signature sneaker
In a historic moment for Canadian basketball, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has officially joined the exclusive ranks of athletes with their own signature sneaker.
The unveiling of the Converse SHAI 001 marks a pivotal achievement for the Toronto-born guard, cementing his influence on and off the court. His personal sketches served as the inspiration for the shoe's striking design, which has generated a lot of discussion online.
Although many individuals admire the shoe's sleek, stylish appearance, opinions on the striking 'Butter' colourway remain diverse.
Despite the mixed opinion on its aesthetics, Gilgeous-Alexander's sneaker is already making waves among his NBA peers. Players such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves), Andrew Nembhard (Indiana Pacers), and Chris Paul (San Antonio Spurs) have been spotted sporting the SHAI 001, further solidifying its place in the basketball world.
Family Ties 🤞Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shai's cousin, got a pair of the Converse SHAI 001s early 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GKQjqrs3z9
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) March 5, 2025
71. Andrew 🆚 Timberwolves : ✅ 119-1036 PTS | 3 REB | 5 AST 33'3/7 FG (43%) , 0/1 3 PTS (0%)3/6 2 PTS (50%)2 TO , 2 STL 19 D'EVAL pic.twitter.com/5yG0vZ7yH4
— Andrew Nembhard Fra 🇨🇦🇨🇵🏀 (@NembhardFra) March 25, 2025
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With Shai as Converse's lone signature athlete, the brand is looking to re-establish itself in basketball culture—a movement that echoes a legacy set by another Canadian almost a century ago.
Before Shai, there was Jack Purcell, a name now more synonymous with sneakers than the sport in which he made history. Born in Guelph, Ont., Purcell was an unstoppable force in badminton, securing his place as Canada's greatest player. From 1929 to 1930, he won back-to-back Canadian National Championships before turning professional in 1932. For twelve consecutive years (1933-1945), he dominated as the World Professional Badminton Champion—a feat unmatched in the sport's history.
But Purcell's influence wasn't confined to the court. In 1935, he designed a canvas and rubber sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada, aiming to create a shoe tailored for badminton players. The design, with its signature 'smile' toe cap, became an instant classic. By the 1970s, Converse acquired the rights to the sneaker, launching it into mainstream fashion.
Today, the Jack Purcell silhouette is a timeless icon, available for $70 on Converse's official website. It has been reimagined in collaborations with Comme des Garçons, Feng Chen Wang, Richardson, Mastermind JAPAN, and many more brands.
Despite competing in different sports and coming from different eras, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jack Purcell share a rare distinction: they are the only two Canadian athletes to have their own signature shoe, and both are affiliated with Converse.
While Purcell's legacy has outlived his badminton career—his sneakers often overshadowing his achievements—Shai's journey is just beginning. Whether the SHAI 001 will stand the test of time similar to Purcell's remains to be seen, but for now, Canada has a new sneaker icon to celebrate.
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