Custom Adidas Sambas for Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach Kenny Atkinson

When the Cleveland Cavaliers reach out to you -twice- it definitely means you’re doing something right. This time, they had a special request: a custom pair of Adidas Sambas designed specifically for their newly appointed head coach, Kenny Atkinson. And I got to be the one to bring them to life.

But let’s rewind for a second.

Backstory: My First Project with the Cleveland Cavaliers

This wasn’t my first time working with the Cavs. In fact, last year in 2024 I was brought in to help with one of their most exciting events: Sneakers & Spirits Night, a gameday activation in partnership with Hennessy. I designed three custom D.O.N 5’s that were given away in a fan sweepstakes, and I painted one of them live during the event at Rocket Arena in the Oswald Court Club for guests to enjoy. Once the custom pair was complete, I actually got to gift them to the sweepstakes winner myself on the sideline before the 4th quarter! Additionally, I also created a player-exclusive pair of D.O.N. Issue 5’s for Donovan Mitchell himself.

Unfortunately, Donovan was sidelined due to injury and didn’t get to wear the shoes in-game, but the energy from that collaboration stayed with me. So when the Cavaliers hit me up again this year with a new opportunity, I was all in!

 

The Assignment: Something Special for Coach Kenny Atkinson

The Cavs were welcoming Kenny Atkinson as their new head coach, and for their Adidas Takeover Night in March, they wanted to celebrate with a custom gift that was clean, wearable, and authentically Cavaliers.

Here’s what I knew:

• Kenny is a big fan of Adidas Sambas
• The shoes had to be subtle enough for the sidelines, but still hold strong Cavs identity
• The design needed to feel elevated; worthy of an NBA head coach

Design Process: From Studio to Sidelines

I started with a fresh pair of plain Adidas Samba sneakers and built out the concept layer by layer:

• Vinyl stencils were cut using the official Cleveland Cavaliers wordmark, which I then carefully placed on the heels of each shoe
• Using an airbrush, I painted over the stencil with a clean coat of white to keep the branding subtle but refined
• Next, I brought in the Cavs’ classic colors:
  
• Gold was used for the eyestay panels
• Cavaliers Wine was hand-painted on the toe suede
• To bring in that luxurious feel the Cavaliers are known for, I added a white marble texture to the three stripes and ankle collar

The end result was a custom design that felt sporty, subtle, and elevated; a perfect fit for the coach leading the Cavs from the sidelines.

The Moment: Seeing Coach Atkinson Wear Them Courtside

Once the shoes were finished, the Cavs invited me to Rocket Arena for the game where Coach Atkinson debuted the custom Sambas on court. To see something I made -with my own two hands- being worn in real time by the head coach of my home state NBA team? That’s not just a professional milestone. That’s a dream! I felt so genuinely proud in that moment, and I still do. Everything I’ve worked so relentlessly hard for these past five years has led me to moments like these, and it’s definitely not something I’ll be forgetting anytime soon.

The Cavs also posted Instagram photos of Kenny receiving the custom shoes where he was smiling ear to ear opening the box, so I think it’s safe to say he really liked them! 

What’s Next for Me and the Cavs?

This project marks my second official collaboration with the Cleveland Cavaliers in just two seasons. First, it was Sneakers & Spirits Night- where I designed custom pairs for a fan sweepstakes and even crafted a pair for Donovan Mitchell himself. Now, a year later, I’ve had the honor of creating something personal for Kenny Atkinson, the team’s new head coach.

To be trusted twice by an NBA franchise with deep roots in my home state is surreal-but more than that, it’s a sign of something building. Every time I collaborate with the Cavs, we create more than just custom sneakers—we build moments. Moments that connect players, coaches, and fans in a way that feels bigger than basketball.

And while I can’t say exactly what’s next.. I’ve got ideas. Will there be a third project? A bigger activation? Only time will tell. But if this journey has shown me anything, it’s that the story between Sneaker Queens Customs and the Cleveland Cavaliers might just be getting started!

 

If you’re a brand, organization, or a unique private client looking to create custom art that goes beyond the ordinary, let’s make something unforgettable together! Send me an email here.