LeBron James‘ 23rd signature sneaker has been utilized as an opportunity to tell stories from throughout his storied career. Its run will consist of 23 different colorways highlighting a specific moment each, and so far those have included commemorations of his high school Sports Illustrated cover, his two titles with the Miami Heat and him playing alongside his son for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Nike LeBorn 23 “Masked Menace” goes hyper-specific by calling back to the single game in which James wore a carbon fiber mask in 2014. Much attention was paid to the imposing look he employed to protect his broken nose, and the NBA requested him to wear a more traditional clear mask to conform with its policies.
James obliged, but the Heat still capitalized on the moment by selling T-shirts of him in the original black mask. The aesthetic also fit in well for the period in which James leaned into his role as a “villain” because of the criticism for him forming a super-team with the Heat.
“Everyone loved it,” James said at the time. “I got stuff, from ‘You look very menacing,’ to ‘You look like a superhero,’ to ‘You look amazing.’ A little bit of everything. No one told me it was terrible.”
Twelve years later, the blacked-out LeBron 23 employs a carbon fiber print on its crown-shaped overlay. Nylon mesh is then used for the remainder of the upper, while the heel features a special badge depicting the mask itself.
So far, official imagery has only leaked for the shoe in grade school sizing. A previous leak with in-hand images showed adult sizing with a matte black overlay, but it’s not yet clear if that’s what the release will look like.
The Nike LeBron 23 “Masked Menace” is expected to release in March, likely through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $210.
Nike LeBron 23 “Masked Menace” (pair)
Nike LeBron 23 “Masked Menace” (lateral)
Nike LeBron 23 “Masked Menace” (above)
Nike LeBron 23 “Masked Menace” (heel)
