Will Trae Young Sneakers Become the Shoe of Gen Alpha? 4 Reasons Why He’s One to Watch

If you were a kid in the ‘80s and ’90s — part of that fleeting Gen-X era bordering on the Millennial generation — you probably at some point either sported a pair of Air Jordans or proudly wore an oversized graphic tee with His Airness gracing the front. And if you did neither of those things, surely you at least watched the OG “Space Jam” starring none other than the G.O.A.T.

Those toward the end of the Millennial period and then Gen Z were much more likely to champion a newer generation of NBA greats led by Kobe Bryant. And now, as Gen Alpha comes of age, who will be the face of their generation — that superstar, consistent player whose shoes they wear, whose merch they covet and whose moves they emulate? We’d make a case for Trae Young to take up that mantle. Here are just a few reasons why:

He’s a Personable Celeb

In addition to being well-liked in the NBA, Young connects with his fans via his social accounts. He’s got more than 1 million followers on TikTok, where he shows off his latest shoes, poolside antics and more than a few sponsored posts. And with more than 4 million fans on Insta, Young got plenty of oohs, ahhs and loves when he announced the birth of his son, Tydus. Plus, he’s got a passel of IRL celeb friends like Quavo, Michael Porter Jr., Migos, the rap group … and Gigi Bryant, the late daughter of Kobe, was a huge fan.

He’s Got a Best-Selling Basketball Shoe Lineup

Trae Young sneakers are one of the most popular adidas basketball shoes in the Three Stripes lineup. While it’s early for this NBA player’s collection — his signature Trae Young shoes only launched this past fall — we’ll be interested to see the evolution of his sneaker line as his playing style evolves. Two of our recent fave colorways include the “Vivid Red/Team Gold/Black” Trae Young shoe and the frigid “Icee” launch.

Will Young become to adidas what Jordan became to Nike and generations around the globe? We’ll get back to you in a few decades.

He’s Exceptional on the Court

The 2021–2022 season was arguably the 23-year-old’s best so far. This young face of the Hawks and two-time NBA All-Star came in sixth in points per game in the NBA and third in assists per game. Even as a freshman in college, Young got compared to Steph Curry. He’s proved his mettle since his 2018 draft on the court. In Game 3 of this year’s playoffs, Trae hit a floater with seconds left, winning the game 111 to 110 against Miami. His dynamic, energetic playing style makes him one to watch, for sure.

He’s Positioned to be the Face of Atlanta Sports

The Braves and the Falcons tend to eat up all the buzz when it comes to Atlanta sports, but Young’s steeply rising star has given the Hawks even more prestige in the Big Peach. So much so, in fact, that Trae signed a contract to the tune of $207 million, keeping him in A-town for at least five more years.

He’s young, scrappy and hungry, and “Ice Trae” has the potential to inspire and shape Gen Alpha with his business acumen, playing prowess and personality. Definitely keep Young on your radar as one to watch. And be sure to stop by a Hibbett | City Gear location or shop online to start building or adding to your Trae Young kicks collection.