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"It’s just a drug" – Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford on budding chemistry with Kyrie Irving and joining ANTA (EXCLUSIVE) – Sportskeeda

"It’s just a drug" – Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford on budding chemistry with Kyrie Irving and joining ANTA (EXCLUSIVE) – Sportskeeda

Dallas Mavericks Center Daniel Gafford recently joined ANTA Basketballcementing a growing partnership with teammate Kyrie Irving, the brand’s chief creative officer. Averaging 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season, Gafford has provided the Mavericks with key contributions in the frontcourt while emerging as a valuable presence both on and off the court.


Mavericks’ Daniel Gafford on budding chemistry with Kyrie Irving and joining ANTA (EXCLUSIVE)

Gafford has long admired Irving as one of his favorite point guards. His respect extends to the quality and creativity of Irving’s shoe designs. He sees joining ANTA as an opportunity to collaborate meaningfully with Irving.

“Kyrie was with Nike before and I loved his shoes, like the Kyrie 1s, all the way down to the last ones he made,” Gafford told Sportskeeda. and one of my favorite point guards in the game. It’s just stupid to be part of the same shoe company as him.”

For Gafford, the move marks a return to familiar territory. He first encountered ANTA shoes while with the Washington Wizards as recently as 2023 while wearing the ANTA Badao 2.0, and his favorable impressions of the brand have only grown since then. He went through a variety of shoes, briefly wearing New Balance before donning Nike again, but began wearing the ANTA KAI 1 during the Mavericks’ NBA Finals series against the Boston Celtics.

“Honestly, I was just trying to figure things out, going back and forth with Nike, just trying to have shoes in general,” Gafford explained to Sportskeeda. “I went back with ANTA, I told them like, ‘Hey man, just get them to send me shoes. They talked to my agent and we thought if we could get in touch with them that would be great. If not, that’s okay. I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in now.”

Gafford’s return to ANTA was a carefully considered decision driven by his determination to rekindle a valuable partnership. However, he has maintained a good relationship with the brand since he was sent shoes during his tenure with the Wizards.

“I’m basically picking up where I left off when I played for Washington,” Gafford explained to Sportskeeda. “I had been sent a pair of shoes to try out in practice when they first contacted me. I wore them to a game and have been on good terms with these guys ever since. It has grown steadily over the years.”

What made working with ANTA again even more appealing to Gafford was the opportunity to work closely with Irving, who played a significant role in ANTA’s rise in the basketball market.

Gafford revealed that he expressed interest in joining the brand directly with Irving, which ultimately led to his involvement in the collaboration.

“Every time Kyrie was caught, I’d put a little bug in his ear, saying, ‘Hey, take me home.’ It would be dope. So they did,” Gafford told Sportskeeda.

The unveiling of the shoe initially came with the announcement that Gafford and two of Irving’s former teammates, Derrick Jones Jr. and Caris LeVert, had joined the company’s lineup. They became the first active players to sign with ANTA under Irving’s leadership as Chief Creative Officer.

As an ambassador, Gafford will wear colors from the entire KAI collection throughout the season. On Wednesday, he officially debuted the orange KAI 1 Team shoe during the Mavericks’ win over the Thunder in Oklahoma City. He previously wore the black and red earlier in January.

“It naturally shows the diversity of Kyrie’s character, all the names and colors and everything he does,” Gafford explained to Sportskeeda. “It really complements his brand and what he wants to push, his logo, his brand, his vibe, everything . That’s what I love about him.”

Gafford sees Irving’s partnership with ANTA as unique and inspiring, emphasizing the creative freedom it allows. This partnership has led to significant success for the company, elevating the brand to the top of StockX’s fastest growing sneaker brands. KAI 1 drives 1901% YoY growth in 2024.

“Instead of just focusing on what a company can do for you, it’s something you can build for yourself,” Gafford told Sportskeeda. “And he did just that.”

Gafford and Irving have built a strong bond as teammates off the court. Not just Irving, Gafford noted the importance of forming bonds on the team and the unique privilege of playing alongside elite players like Irving and Luka Doncic. Being in the position he’s in now started as a childhood dream for Gafford, and he doesn’t take it for granted.

“It’s getting better as the days go by, just like anyone else on the team,” Gafford told Sportskeeda. “Trying to create connections and chemistry and good relationships every day is something I value. It’s not every day you get to play with or hang with some of the best athletes in the world. I cherish those moments because they’re like something I always dreamed of as a kid, wondering what it was like to hang out with guys like Kyrie or Luka. It’s just a drug.”

Gafford’s success in building chemistry off the court with Irving and Doncic has only helped fuel their success on the court. The Mavericks will need all they can get from Gafford as they deal with Dereck Lively II’s extended injury absence. Lively recently suffered a stress fracture in her right ankle and is expected to miss potentially several months.

As Gafford continues to contribute to the Mavericks’ success, he is excited to expand his partnership with Irving and ANTA.