These Basketball Shoes Are a Hug for Your Ankles
Anwar Stetson
The shoe world is saturated with high quality brands. Nike and Adidas dominate the American market, while across the Pacific, Chinese brands like Anta have gained more traction by signing NBA players like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson. But back stateside, one burgeoning shoe brand is building a basketball shoe based not solely on aesthetic, but also health.
Meet Andiem Shoes. Co-founders Ezra Smyser and Alex Morel birthed the idea for a shoe company from their massive love of the game of basketball.
The hook for Andiem Shoes developed after both founders suffered common ankle injuries on the court. With the duo determined to save ankles and look good doing it, they turned to leading orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists to develop a shoe that would protect one of our bodies most vulnerable joints. The vision came to life when Andiem was officially founded in 2021.
“Ankle sprains remain the NBA’s most common injury, affecting roughly 25% of players each season and increasing year over year,” writes Andiem on their website.
“NBA stars have already missed more than 200 games this season, twice the total from this point last year. The Pivot 1.0 addresses this challenge with breakthrough features including the ReAxon Quick Balance for dynamic stability and the Flex Lock System for unmatched lockdown and foot-shoe connection—technology that allows players to compete without fear.”
The flagship Pivot 1.0 released in late 2023. It currently retails on the Andiem site for $250 and is the result of years of work helping hoopers reach maximum traction and ankle support. Coming in four different colorways, the Pivot 1.0 has drawn comparison to Kobe’s and other guard-based low-top shoes meant for quick lateral movement.
Andiem got its first NBA player endorsement when Denver Nuggets two-way forward Spencer Jones signed on as an Ambassador, Investor, and Advisor in December. According to a press release from Andiem, Jones, who wears the Pivot 1.0 on the court, is advising the brand on its upcoming Pivot 2.0, slated for release this year.
Andiem frames footwear as part of an athlete’s preparation cycle. For athletes like Jones, the Pivot 1.0’s fit is more about substance than flare. “I choose to wear Andiem’s Pivot 1.0 not because they’re flashy or hyped, but because they keep me on the floor,” Jones said in a December press release.