Reebok has sharpened its focus on performance footwear as of late, and on Friday night, WNBA star Angel Reese will show fans what the brand has been working on for the basketball court.
Reese will have the Reebok Engine A laced up as she hits the Wintrust Arena court in Chicago when her Sky faces the Indiana Fever. The shoe — which NBA icon and president of Reebok Basketball Shaquille O’Neal just revealed on Instagram — is a performance basketball style that the Reebok Advanced Concepts team has been working on since 2022.
Reebok confirmed the Engine A — which the brand teased on Thursday via its newly created Instagram account, @reebokbasketball — will be its first performance basketball shoe release since the early 2010s. The brand also stated that the Engine A is not Reese’s signature shoe.
With the Engine A, Reebok stated it will reintroduce its Energy Return System (ERS), which the brand explained uses nitrogen-infused foam to absorb energy and propel the foot. Also, it will feature the brand’s SuperFloat foam in the heel and forefoot for comfort and bounce, which is paired with a high-density foam rim and an internal shank for stability. Reebok completed the shoe’s midsole with a TPU accent and a “sway bar” design that it said references ’80s ERS models.
Also underfoot are high-abrasion rubber outsoles with a multidirectional, modified herringbone traction pattern for grip designed for basketball-specific movements in mind. Also, there are cutouts underfoot
to offer a look into the SuperFloat core.
Aside from the ERS cushioning system, Reebok explained the Engine A was also created with a modern design that was inspired by its Mobius line from the 1990s. The brand created what it called an “exoskeleton” design that it stated allows for bold color blocking and “revives the ’90s Mobius aesthetic.” It was made using lightweight synthetic materials for both support and a breathable fit, and there is a molded heel counter and internal counter for added lockdown.
Although Reese will debut the shoe tonight, consumers will have to wait until spring 2025 to purchase a pair.
Reese and Reebok have been busy as of late, most recently announcing the hooper’s first-ever collection with the brand, dubbed Reebok by Angel, at the start of the month. The range features three of Reebok’s most popular shoes: the Premier Road VI, the BB 4000 II and the Classic Leather. It can be shopped now via Reebok.com.
About the Author
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
