Nike introduces a symbolic new entry to its performance basketball series with the LeBron 23 The Chosen One and The One Who Chose. The concept connects two stories: the career of LeBron James, often described as “The Chosen One,” and the new chapter his son Bronny James begins in the NBA as “The One Who Chose.” The theme marks the first time a father and son share an NBA roster, an event Nike honors through the shoe’s narrative and design.
The pair features a mismatched colorway, the left shoe in Vivid Purple and the right in Metallic Gold, set against a black mesh base with embroidered detailing. The left side bears the inscription “Chosen 1” and the right reads “1 Who Chose.” These details emphasize the dual legacy that connects two generations of athletes through the same game. Each shoe carries LeBron’s crown logo, molded eyelets, and updated heel structure that merges stability with expressive form.
Nike designed the upper with a breathable engineered knit, ensuring a lightweight feel while supporting lateral containment. A reinforced toe cap and sculpted collar enhance the shoe’s control during quick directional play. The mismatched arrangement reflects a transition of identity within the James family line, LeBron’s established dominance mirrored by Bronny’s emerging confidence.
The LeBron 23 introduces a full-length ZoomX drop-in midsole, the first in the franchise’s history. The foam setup delivers maximum energy return while maintaining a low-profile ride, giving players a responsive platform for acceleration and cushioning on impact. A carbon-fiber shank plate supports torsional rigidity underfoot, while Nike’s new Crown Containment System locks the foot in place without restricting mobility. The outsole pattern provides multidirectional traction suited for both indoor and outdoor surfaces, reaffirming the model’s purpose as a high-performance shoe built for modern basketball tempo.
Nike built the LeBron 23 collection around 23 distinct colorways, each representing a key story from LeBron’s career. The Chosen One and The One Who Chose sits within that anthology as the most personal of the set. The collection comes with custom packaging: a sculpted box molded into a crown silhouette and a printed booklet that chronicles each of the 23 themes. The overarching framework divides the line into three eras of LeBron’s professional life: “The Chosen 1 Arrives” (2002–2010), “Taking the Throne” (2010–2018), and “Long Live the King” (2018–present).
The new colorway symbolizes a conversation between generations. Purple evokes royalty and endurance, while gold conveys success and longevity. LeBron’s “Chosen 1” tattoo, originally coined by Sports Illustrated in 2002, resurfaces through the left shoe’s script. The right shoe’s phrase, “1 Who Chose,” refers to Bronny’s decision to pursue the same sport while shaping his own identity within it. Nike transforms this personal moment into design language, framing basketball as an inheritance of effort and self-determination rather than expectation.
Nike confirmed a global release on October 23, 2025, through the SNKRS app and select retailers. The shoe will release in full men’s sizing.
Model: Nike LeBron 23 “The Chosen One and The One Who Chose”
Colorway: Black/Black/Metallic Gold/Vivid Purple
SKU: IF0694-001
Price: 210.00 USD
Release Date: October 23
Available at: Nike and select retailers
