New Balance & Kawhi Leonard Unveil ‘The KAWHI III’

NBA All-Star Kawhi Leonard debuts the New Balance ‘The Kawhi III’ during a Los Angeles Clippers game.

Thursday night’s nationally-televised game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks will serve as an important moment for Kawhi Leonard. The 5x NBA All-Star and 3x All-NBA Player is debuting his third signature shoe with New Balance – The KAWHI III.

It is only fitting that Leonard debuts the KAWHI III in the ‘Alpha Predator’ colorway. The fierce colorway takes inspiration from Leonard’s dominance on the court, similar to the apex predator who sits at the top of the food chain, allowing him to attack without fear of anyone getting in his way.

The KAWHI III © Provided by FanNation Kicks A detailed look at the KAWHI III. New Balance

The KAWHI III ‘Alpha Predator’ will be available on New Balance’s website starting February 10th with the suggested retail price of $160. Additional colorways will be launching throughout the season that taps into Leonard’s mindset, such as Recharged Chakra, Multi-Dimensional, Sacred Geometry, and even one that pulls from New Balance’s iconic color. 

“Working with the New Balance design team is always exciting,” said New Balance Athlete Kawhi Leonard. “The KAWHI III brings new technology that allows me to take my game to the next level, and that’s super important to me, and I am excited for other players to be able to experience it.” 

Made for athletes at the peak of their power, a trio of insights from Leonard guided New Balance designers in the development of the KAWHI III: responsive, explosive, and lightweight. The KAWHI III was built to bring the creativity of Leonard to life. His incomparable two-way game informed the shoe’s streamlined look, lightweight upper, and full-length FuelCell cushioning. 

Details © Provided by FanNation Kicks A detailed look at the KAWHI III. New Balance

The KAWHI III continues to use the benefits of a full-length FuelCell cushioning system combined with Energy Arc, which pairs a sport-specific carbon fiber plate geometry with strategic midsole voids designed to increase stored energy to deliver a higher amount of total energy return. 

This technology was developed by the New Balance design team with the brand’s state-of-the-art Sports Research Lab and has been seen across the award-winning FuelCell Super Comp Trainer and Coco Gauff’s signature, the CocoCG1. This represents the first time Energy Arc technology will appear in basketball.

A minimalist upper design features a lightweight textile and rich synthetic material construction, featuring a seamless half-bootie that connects directly to the tongue. The seamless method is also utilized at the heel with a molded adapt component that provides a more locked-in and stable fit. 

“Performance-led innovation and quality are in our DNA, and our basketball shoes are no exception,” said Trent Casper, New Balance General Manager for Performance Basketball. “We worked closely with Kawhi to develop a shoe that helps enhance performance on the court and take his and other basketball athlete’s game to the next level.”  

New Balance Family © Provided by FanNation Kicks Kawhi Leonard in the KAWHI III. New Balance

Before the official announcement of the KAWHI III, FanNation Kicks was able to speak with Trent Casper, New Balance General Manager for Performance Basketball. Casper gave athletes and fans a glimpse behind the scenes and the future of Leonard’s partnership with New Balance.

NB Basketball has grown in popularity over the past few years. How much of that can be attributed to the initial signing of Kawhi Leonard?  

“Kawhi is an important part of our New Balance family, and we look forward to design review meetings with him throughout the year. New Balance’s success in the category is definitely a culmination of a lot of things, but our co-authored approach with Kawhi and our innovative mindset and approach to everything we do has certainly allowed us to remain true to our brand values.”

How does the KAWHI III complement the Fresh Foam BB and TWO WXY v3?

“The KAWHI III is one of the most innovative shoes in the New Balance line. The FuelCell Super Comp series in the running line and the Coco CG1 signature is the only other shoes to utilize a Fuel Cell midsole combined with the carbon fiber energy arch technology found in the KAWHI III. The Fresh Foam BB provides a more cushioned and stable ride, and the Two WXY v3 has a full-length Fuel Cell midsole that is designed for the two-way player.”

Can fans expect Kawhi x New Balance apparel in the future? 

“We will be refreshing the KL2 line this year, so definitely stay tuned for that! Our work with Kawhi and Griggs Brothers is a fun new way for us to approach apparel in basketball and ensure every piece is authentic to the performance space but also versatile to be worn outside of the game.”

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