Amanda Knapp
AND1 is a basketball shoe brand that gained popularity in the late 90s and early 2000s. The brand was endorsed by several NBA players, including Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, and Kobe. Garnett, who played for 21 seasons in the NBA, had two signature shoes with AND1, the KG 1 and KG 2, and wore other non-signature models like the AND1 Mad Game. Marbury, who was the brand's first signature athlete, played in several AND1 models, including the Tai Chi, Desire, and Silky Smooth. Kobe wore the AND1 Game Time and the AND1 Desire during his brief stint without a shoe deal. AND1's influence extended beyond footwear, impacting fashion, music, and playing styles in the NBA, with their shoes known for being both trendy and affordable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1993 |
| Founded by | Seth Berger, Jay Coen Gilbert and Tom Austin |
| First signature athlete | Stephon Marbury |
| First signature shoe | Marbury's signature shoe |
| Other notable players | Kevin Garnett, Montrezl Harrel, Fredderick VanVleet Sr., Norman Powell, Lance Stephenson, Kobe, Rafer Alston, Darrell Armstrong, Rex Chapman, Ab Osondu, Raef LaFrentz, Toby Bailey, Miles Simon, Latrell Sprewell, Jamal Crawford, Allen Iverson, Jason “White Chocolate” Williams, T-Mac, Paul Pierce, Larry Hughes |
| Other | AND1 Mixtape Tour, AND1 Mixtape, AND1 Live Streetball Tour, AND1 Streetball series |
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What You'll Learn
Kevin Garnett wore two signature AND1 shoes
AND1 is a legendary basketball brand that has been worn by many iconic players. The influence of AND1 shoes, merchandise, and the wildly popular AND1 Mixtapes affected every aspect of basketball culture during the late 90s and early 00s. The AND1 hoop shoes were so sought-after during this period that you couldn't turn on an NBA game without seeing at least one pair of AND1s on the court.
Kevin Garnett, perhaps the best basketball player AND1 ever had on their roster, wore two signature AND1 shoes: the KG 1 and the KG 2. Garnett signed with the brand in 2001, choosing AND1 over Nike, which was a huge surprise at the time. He was looking to have greater creative control over his shoe designs, and that is exactly what AND1 offered him. Both of his signature models are sleek and bursting with 2000s vibes.
Garnett also wore several other non-signature AND1 models, most famously the AND1 Mad Game. During his time with AND1 from 2000 to 2003, Garnett averaged 22 ppg, 12 rpg, 5 apg, 1.6 bpg, and 1.4 apg. He was named to the All-Star team each year and took home the All-Star game MVP in 2003.
Other notable players who wore AND1 shoes include Kobe, who wore the AND1 Game Time and the AND1 Desire during his brief stint without a shoe deal, and Ben Wallace, who wore the AND1 Chosen 1 during the 2003-04 NBA Finals. Chauncey Billups, who started wearing AND1 in 2001, also wore the AND1 Silky Smooth while playing for the Timberwolves alongside Garnett.
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Kobe wore AND1 shoes during a brief stint without a shoe deal
AND1 is a legendary basketball brand that has been worn by many iconic basketball players. In the late 90s and early 2000s, AND1 shoes, merchandise, and mixtapes had a significant influence on basketball culture and fashion.
During this time, Kobe Bryant wore AND1 shoes during a brief stint without a shoe deal. He wore two AND1 models: the AND1 Game Time and the AND1 Desire. The AND1 Desire comes in a white and yellow PE version, but it is unclear if Kobe ever played in this colourway. During the All-Star game that year, Kobe wore Jordan 3s and stuck with Jordans for the rest of the season.
Kobe's decision to wear AND1 shoes during this period is notable, as he is considered one of the most important athletes in sneaker history. His footwear choices have included iconic styles such as the Adidas "Feet You Wear" technology era, which included the KB8 (now known as the Crazy8) and KB8 II (or Crazy II). Kobe also wore the Air Jordans during his sneaker free agency, including the French Blue Air Jordan 12, which matched the throwback jerseys of the Lakers in 2003.
Kobe's influence on sneaker culture extended beyond his own footwear choices. After his death in 2020, several NBA players paid tribute to him by wearing his signature shoes. The "Galaxy" Nike Zoom Kobe 7s, the Nike Zoom Kobe 4s, and the Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protros are just a few examples of the shoes that were worn to honour his legacy.
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Stephon Marbury was AND1's first signature athlete
In 1996, Marbury was selected as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and was immediately traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Marbury was one of a brash new generation of players who brought a fresh street basketball flavour to the NBA. He became AND1's first signature athlete and helped launch its first pair of basketball sneakers, marking the brand's entry into the footwear market. Marbury's signature shoe, the Marbury Mid (now known as the Coney Island Classic), became an iconic shoe. However, Marbury injured his ankle while playing in the shoe, which unfairly tarnished its reputation.
Marbury played in AND1s for most of his career, switching brands in 2005. He played in several different models, including the AND1 Tai Chi, the AND1 Desire, and the AND1 Silky Smooth, among others. The AND1 Silky Smooth was worn by a variety of NBA players, including Kevin Garnett, Shawn Marion, and Larry Hughes. The shoe was designed to be versatile, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Over the years, AND1 has continued to partner with NBA players and sponsor tournaments worldwide. The brand has left an indelible mark on basketball culture, influencing fashion, music, and playing styles. AND1 is known for its legendary status in the basketball world, and many iconic players have worn their shoes.
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Lance Stephenson signed an endorsement deal with AND1 in 2012
AND1 is an American footwear and clothing company that specialises in basketball shoes, clothing, and sporting goods. The company was founded on 13 August 1993 and focuses exclusively on basketball. It is a subsidiary of Galaxy Universal.
In November 2012, AND1 signed a deal with Lance Stephenson, who was playing for the Indiana Pacers at the time. Stephenson had won the NYC basketball championships in all four years of high school, and became New York State's all-time leading scorer in high school basketball, with 2,946 points. He was named Mr. New York Basketball after his senior year. Stephenson's aggressive never-back-down attitude fit the AND1 streetball personality.
Stephenson was the first player to be signed by AND1 during his rookie season. He had showcased a unique combination of size, skill and power that had made him stand out in high school and college. Stephenson's coach, Frank Vogel, praised his performance, saying, "Statistically, he’s been our best wing option (with Danny Granger out)".
Lance Stephenson, also known as "Born Ready", expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating: "I’m really honored to be considered by AND1 to be part of its roster of NBA endorsers. I believe that my on-court playing style and dedication to the game is a perfect match for the AND1 brand’s commitment to producing only the best basketball gear."
AND1 also shared their enthusiasm about the deal, with brand president Robert Purvy commenting: "Lance is a welcome addition to the AND 1 family. He is a very promising young talent and is committed to playing at the highest level. We at AND 1 share the same passion, as we produce only the best basketball footwear and apparel for our customers."
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AND1 Mixtape Tour: a travelling basketball competition
The AND1 Mixtape Tour, also known as the AND1 Live Streetball Tour, was a travelling basketball competition and exhibition that ran from 1998 to 2008. The tour was presented by B-Ball and Company and the basketball apparel manufacturer AND1. It featured a group of streetball players, including Emcee Rell and B-Ball and Company CEO Linda Hill, who travelled from town to town, challenging teams composed of local talent. The games were characterised by one-on-one ball-handling moves, acrobatic slam dunks, and alley-oops.
The tour was televised in half-hour "Streetball" segments on ESPN2 and compiled into highlight reels, which were sold on DVD as the AND1 Mixtape. The first mixtape was AND1 Mixtape Volume 1 (1998), and the most recent is AND1 Mixtape X (2008), marking a decade of the tour. The mixtapes also included footage from international tours, such as the United Streets of America tour, which featured former Boston Celtics player Carlos Arroyo, and the Asia Pacific tour, which included stops in Tokyo and Sydney.
The AND1 Mixtape Tour players had a significant impact on basketball culture, influencing fashion, music, and playing styles. Many of the players were streetball legends, such as Rafer Alston, Grayson Boucher, and Aaron Owens, who brought their unique skills and personalities to the court. The tour also featured NBA players, including Latrell Sprewell, Kevin Garnett, and Jamal Crawford, who wore AND1 shoes on the court.
AND1's success can be attributed to its association with these talented players and its ability to showcase their flashy moves and legitimate skills. The brand left an indelible mark on the basketball world during the late 90s and early 00s, with its shoes, merchandise, and mixtapes influencing various aspects of the game and basketball culture.
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Frequently asked questions
During the late 90s and early 2000s, AND1 shoes were worn by several NBA players, including Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Ben Wallace, Shawn Marion, Desmond Mason, and Kobe Bryant.
AND1's top sponsor is NBA player Lance Stephenson of the Memphis Grizzlies, known for his aggressive never-back-down attitude.
Kevin Garnett had two signature shoes with AND1, the KG 1 and the KG 2. Stephon Marbury, the brand's first signature athlete, also had a signature shoe.
While AND1 shoes were most popular in the late 90s and early 2000s, some NBA players have continued to wear them more recently. For example, Norman Powell of the Toronto Raptors wore AND1 shoes during his college career with the UCLA Bruins.
