The sneaker world has a short memory. One minute you're the king of the court with the most popular silhouette in the NBA, and the next, your unreleased boxes are being hauled into the "back room" of Foot Locker by corporate decree. If you’ve been hunting for kyrie irving shoes 9, you probably noticed something weird. They don’t really exist in the way the 1 through 8 did. Or rather, they exist as a ghost of a partnership that blew up just as the finish line was in sight.
Honestly, it's a mess.
You've got a shoe that was designed, manufactured, and shipped to stores—only to be recalled and "cancelled" by Nike in 2022. But because the internet never forgets, and because "scarcity" is the ultimate drug for sneakerheads, the saga of the Nike Kyrie 9 (which was technically renamed the Kyrie 8 before the axe fell) is still one of the most searched-for mysteries in basketball footwear.
The Confusion Between the Kyrie 8 and the Kyrie 9
Let's clear up the naming disaster first. Nike had a weird naming convention toward the end. The shoe we all called the "Kyrie 8" was actually the Kyrie Infinity. Because of that, the actual eighth signature shoe in the production line was branded as the Nike Kyrie 9 during its development phase.
By the time it was ready for the public, Nike decided to call it the Kyrie 8. Confused yet?
Basically, if you are looking for kyrie irving shoes 9, you are looking for the "Orca" colorway or the "Multi-Color" pairs that leaked in late 2022. These were supposed to be the pinnacle of his Nike line. They featured the Air Zoom Strobel, that bouncy, cloud-like tech that made the Infinity so popular, but with a lower profile and better court feel.
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Then the controversy hit.
After Kyrie posted a link to a film containing antisemitic material, Nike didn't just pause; they deleted the future. They officially suspended the relationship in November 2022 and specifically stated they would "no longer launch the Kyrie 8" (the 9). Retailers were sent frantic emails telling them to pull any stock from the floor immediately.
Why People Are Still Obsessed With These Cancelled Kicks
Why do we want what we can't have? It’s basic human nature.
- The Performance Mythos: Every tester who got an early pair of the unreleased Kyrie 9/8 claimed it was the best one yet. It fixed the "clunky" feel of the Infinity and brought back the legendary traction of the Kyrie 7.
- The "Banned" Status: Like the original Jordan 1, there's a certain aura around a shoe a brand tries to erase from history.
- The Resale Market: You can still find these on eBay or GOAT if you look for "Kyrie 8 Orca" or "Unreleased Kyrie 9." But be ready to pay. They aren't cheap because they shouldn't exist.
I’ve seen some of these go for double or triple their intended retail price. It's wild. People are literally buying "scrapped" inventory because it represents the end of an era.
Life After Nike: The ANTA Pivot
If you're looking for the actual spiritual successor to the Kyrie 9, you have to look toward China. In 2023, Kyrie signed a massive deal with ANTA. He didn't just sign as an athlete; he became the Chief Creative Officer of ANTA Basketball.
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The ANTA Kai 1 is basically what the Kyrie 9 should have been, but with more soul. It’s got the "Chief Hélà" vibes, tribal patterns, and a much more personal touch. Honestly, the tech is arguably better. The nitrogen-infused N2 foam is lighter than Nike’s standard Phylon, and the stability is top-tier.
As of January 2026, we are already seeing the rollout of the ANTA Kai 3. This is the "KAI 3.0" era. The shoes have moved away from the Nike aesthetic entirely. They are sleeker, more "aerodynamic" (inspired by the peregrine falcon, apparently), and focus heavily on recovery and stability.
Spotting Fakes and "Sample" Pairs
If you find a website claiming to have a full size run of kyrie irving shoes 9 in ten different colors for $80, run.
Nike never mass-produced these beyond the initial launch colorways. Most of what you see on "sketchy" sites are high-quality reps. Real "samples" or "leaked" retail pairs are extremely rare. Look for the "Orca" (Black/White) or the "White/University Red" versions—those were the only ones that actually made it to the shipping docks before the recall.
Check the inner tag. A real Nike sample will often have "99999999" or a specific date code that aligns with the late 2022 production window.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Split
People like to think it was just about one tweet. But the tension had been building for years. Remember when Kyrie called the Kyrie 8 "trash" on Instagram before it even came out? He literally said he had nothing to do with the design or marketing.
The kyrie irving shoes 9 were supposed to be the "makeup" shoe—the one where Nike actually listened to him again. Instead, it became the tombstone of the richest sneaker deal in the league.
Actionable Insights for Sneakerheads
If you’re still trying to track down a pair of the "forgotten" Kyries, here is the reality check you need:
- Check the secondary market carefully: Use "Kyrie 8 unreleased" as your search term on reputable sites like GOAT or StockX.
- Don't sleep on the ANTA Kai series: If you actually want a shoe to play in, the ANTA Kai 1 or the new Kai 3 are significantly better than a 4-year-old "deadstock" Nike pair that has been sitting in a humid warehouse.
- Verify the Tech: The unreleased Nike pair features a 360-degree traction pattern and a forefoot Zoom Air unit. If the pair you're looking at has a basic foam sole, it's a fake.
- Look for the 2026 CNY colorways: If you want the latest and greatest, the ANTA Kai 3 "Chinese New Year" just dropped (January 17, 2026). It's got the gold and red accents and is actually available at retail ($135).
The era of the Nike Kyrie is over. We’re in the middle of a massive shift where Chinese brands are taking the "performance" crown from the legacy giants. Whether you're a collector or a hooper, the "9" is a piece of history, but the "Kai" is the future.