At New York Knicks media day, the sneaker ecosystem was thrown for a loop as longtime Nike endorser and frequent Kobe Protro wearer Julius Randle was spotted in a Sketchers branded basketball shoe. While rumors swirled regarding the first-of-its-kind silhouette, the California-based brand has since been confirmed to be making its first-ever foray into the basketball space by signing reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, according to a recent report via The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

As reported to The Athletic via industry sources, Embiid is set to headline the brand’s first class of athletes, including both Randle and Los Angeles Clippers guard Terrance Mann. In the meantime, Sketchers is actively looking to build out its roster with fellow All-Stars and NBA athletes.

While an official deal has yet to be reached, Embiid was spotted at the 76ers practice on Wednesday sporting the unnamed silhouette with Sketchers performance personnel on site as wear testing ensues. According to Charania, Embiid will begin suiting up in the silhouette throughout the regular season once a deal has been reached. In the meantime, we can continue to expect first looks at the upcoming Sketchers Basketball shoes through the brand’s roster of recently named on-court athletes.

As seen via imagery from the player’s respective media days, the brand seems to be exploring two separate low-top solutions. The silhouette that Randle dawned receives an under the hood-like aesthetic with the forefoot’s see-through mesh showcasing the bright red lace fasteners while a medial shank plate provides torsional stability underfoot. Capped off at the toe with a greyscale mudguard, silver metallic Sketchers branding ascertains the heel while the sole unit has been constructed using GOODYEAR rubber.

Back in September, Clippers guard Terrance Mann took the court for a workout in a peach-tinted pair of Sketchers low tops. Boasting a more uniform sole unit that connects from toe to heel, the Sketchers “S” sits boldly in a golden metallic treatment along the heel, while further translucent elements ascertain the mesh quarter.