The WNBA only has 12 players who have signature shoes. That’s why accessibility and visibility matter, and part of the reason NBA champion Michael Porter Jr. is wearing Breanna Stewart’s signature shoes this season.
The WNBA is growing, and so is the popularity of its stars. It’s not uncommon now to look across the court and see college basketball players or NBA stars wearing Sabrina Ionescu’s signature shoe, the Sabrina 1.
But what about her teammate and 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart? Stewart also has signature shoes, and the latest version, the Stewie 2s, are being worn by Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets. Porter Jr., who has strong family ties to women’s hoops, is rocking his Stewies 2’s after signing an extension with Puma and to show his love for the sport.
Inspired by the Porter family’s love for women’s basketball & legacy in hoops, MPJ is playing in Breanna Stewart’s Puma signature shoe this season.
“I’ve always admired Stewie’s game since back at UConn … You have guys wearing women’s shoes, and it’s usually the other way… pic.twitter.com/rwUmeTc1GY
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) January 17, 2024
Per Nick DePaula of Boardroom, Porter’s mission is to raise more awareness about Breanna Stewart’s shoes and advocate for other great WNBA hoopers to have a signature shoe:
“I’ve always admired Stewie’s game since back at UConn,” he said. “She’s broken tons of records, and ever since her rookie year in the WNBA, she’s done some amazing things. She’s always been a hooper to me.”
“You have guys wearing women’s shoes, and it’s usually the other way around,” he adds. “We want to bring more awareness to the WNBA and give those women the flowers that they deserve. I just think it’s cool for me to be able to represent that.”