OG Anunoby is a man of simple pleasures. When he’s not playing basketball at Madison Square Garden as a member of the New York Knicks, he enjoys watching Stranger Things on Netflix. He loves Uber Eats, and his favorite time of the year is when he can see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree light up. He keeps his private life private; he’s not an oversharer. But one thing he’s happy to talk about, other than his will to win basketball games, is Skechers.

When his Knicks teammate Karl Anthony-Towns told me last month that Anunoby really knows every iteration of Skechers shoes, I thought he was partly joking. But it’s true. As the footwear company’s brand ambassador, Anunoby wore the SKX Nexus when he tipped in a missed shot from Jalen Brunson to help the Knicks win Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. They eventually won it all, earning Anunoby his second career title and breaking a 53-year championship drought for the Knicks.

The blue-and-orange sneakers are just one of multiple pairs of shoes that Anunoby wears throughout a game. He’s known to switch up his style in between quarters. But that incredible moment is now immortalized in that special Knicks colorway, which Skechers is finally making available to the public. At the launch event of the SKX Nexus “NYC Blue” at Extra Butter in the Lower East Side of New York City, Anunoby told me that it’s special to be able to share this with the fans.

“As a player, you do stuff in the game all the time,” the 29-year-old athlete says of the now famous tip-in. You never know what moment might connect with fans more than others, or which of your many decisions on the court will be viewed as the moment that wins your team the game. “But it’s very cool,” he says. “It's a special moment, even more special because I was wearing Sketchers.”

“As a player, you do stuff in the game all the time,” the 29-year-old athlete says of the now famous tip-in. “But it’s very cool. It’s a special moment.”

Over the last three years, Skechers has gained traction among NBA athletes thanks to signings such as Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, and Isaiah Hartenstein. The company launched its performance basketball division in 2023, and it wasn’t too long after that Anunoby brought them their first championship-winning shoe.

While the SKX Nexus “NYC Blue” is only available at Extra Butter’s New York City location for the rest of the October, Skechers plans to open the availability to fans online and at Skechers locations later this year. Following the “NYC Blue,” Skechers also plans to launch Anunoby’s first signature shoe.

Below, the two-time NBA champion shares more about why he loves playing in Skechers and why he thinks the Knicks still have something to prove.

The SKX Nexus “NYC Blue.”

ESQUIRE: What is it that drew you to Skechers shoes?

OG ANUNOBY: Performance-wise, it's just amazing. I like the style. The appearance of the shoe. I like the comfort. It’s just strong, stable, but lightweight. It allows me to do what I need to do on the court. Then, just working with Skechers, they're amazing people. It's a tight group and very family oriented. So, on and off the court, I love it.

Are you practicing the tip-in, now that it’s become your signature move?

No. [Laughs]. It's not something you practice.

This is going to be your fourth year in New York. Are there any quintessential New York City experiences you haven’t had yet?

Citi Bikes look fun.

But you've never ridden one?

No, but people look like they're having a great time.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

Just trying to win a championship again. Continue to improve, keep winning—that’s the main thing. It's a long season, so there will be a lot of ups and downs and trial and error. But that's what's fun about it. Hopefully, we’ll peak by the playoffs and get to go on a run again.

“Hopefully, we’ll peak by the playoffs and get to go on a run again.”

Do you guys still feel like you have something to prove after the championship?

I think every team feels that way. Especially after the off season, every team comes in excited, feeling like there's something to prove. We just want to take it game by game. Not really prove anything to anyone else but ourselves.

The starting five were on Saturday Night Live recently when Jalen Brunson hosted. How do you think Jalen did, and do you think you would've done a better job?

I would've done well, but I think he did a good job. It was cool to see, and it was a really special moment for him.

I'd just tell them to copy me.