The Nike Giannis Freak 7 Is Built for the Hardest-Working Hoopers

Nike is introducing the Giannis Freak 7, a new silhouette built to power the performance of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the game’s hardest-working hoopers.

The seventh entry in Giannis’ Nike signature lineage is designed with a particular movement in mind: the most lethal Euro step in all of basketball.

Starting with the traction needed to cut, start, stop and Euro step at the highest level, Nike designers developed a new “ANTETOKOUNMPO” traction pattern. It features a more rigid feel on the lateral side of the silhouette and a smooth ride medially — helping Giannis and hoopers like him create critical separation and leave defenders in the dust.

In a first for Nike Basketball, this performance innovation pairs with a full-length, wall-to-wall Cushlon 3.0 midsole that delivers — in an accessible silhouette — the comfort and responsiveness required for hoopers who put in long hours to improve their game.

Further, the midsole, outsole and upper of the Giannis Freak 7 all feature mechanically engineered grooves that flex and compress, helping Giannis and other powerful hoopers effectively Euro step around, through and over the competition every time they hit the court.

“A lot of people say that I’m not a power forward, I’m a basketball player. I play like a guard, and it’s hard for people to put me in one position,” says Giannis. “I have to cover space quickly, so my shoe has to have incredible grip and be stable enough to move side to side when I play. The Giannis Freak 7 accomplishes that and more, bringing the performance I need to power my game in a design that reminds me of my heritage and how much I’ve worked to get here.”

To help contain sharp cuts and effective Euro steps, Nike designers created an upper inspired by both Giannis and Nike’s heritage — reminiscent of Greek sandals that lock down the heel while helping contain the foot on both the medial and lateral sides.

Giannis’ surname is spelled out in the traction pattern, and the upper subtly incorporates his signature logo. The lead Ignition colorway recalls the intensity Giannis channels when he steps onto the court, and every detail is designed to support his notorious work ethic, inspiring young hoopers to put in the work to advance their game.

“We approached the Giannis Freak 7 with a modern and holistic design language, reimagining the iconic Greek sandal into a containment structure tailored for the demands of Giannis’ trademark and explosive Euro step,” says Ross Klein, Senior Director, Men’s Basketball Footwear Product Design. “Designed to mirror the rhythm of Giannis’ game, the silhouette fuses modern energy and fluid motion with the traction and lateral containment needed to perform at the highest level."

The Giannis Freak 7 also reflects Nike’s unparalleled commitment to basketball, its athletes and the culture of the game.

By committing to listening to the voices of athletes — girls, boys, women and men, from the EYBL to the highest levels of the game — Nike is creating the future of basketball footwear. Its industry-leading silhouettes along the spectrum of feel accentuate the way athletes use their athleticism as their competitive advantage.

Nike complements these footwear innovations with colorway stories, materials and finishes that match the bold and confident energy that the next generation of hoopers brings to the court.

By creating the best for the best, then delivering it to those who love the game the most, Nike is championing the players at the heart of basketball, powering the future of the game, and fueling basketball culture — serving Giannis and his fellow all-stars alongside the next generation of athletes and fans.

The Giannis Freak 7 will be available globally at nike.com and select retail locations July 29.