adidas x BAPE Dame 9 Basketball Sneakers

The Dame 9 stands as Damian Lillard's ninth signature shoe with Adidas, a basketball silhouette engineered for the explosive guard who demands court responsiveness without compromise. This edition represents a collaboration with BAPE—the Tokyo-born streetwear powerhouse—fusing Adidas's performance basketball lineage with the Japanese brand's unmistakable design language. The Dame 9 itself debuted in 2023 as a lighter, more agile iteration of its predecessors, designed for mid-to-high-volume court play while maintaining the aesthetic weight that Lillard's signature line has cultivated since 2012.

The Dame 9 chassis relies on Adidas Lightstrike cushioning technology, a proprietary foam that prioritizes energy return and court feel over maximum stack height. The upper construction combines reinforced mesh panels with strategic support overlays, creating a lockdown fit for cutting and lateral movement. The medial and lateral cages provide ankle stability without bulk, while the outsole geometry focuses on multidirectional traction—essential for guards navigating pick-and-roll actions and defensive rotations. Weight distribution remains a critical consideration in the Dame 9's design; the shoe skews toward responsiveness rather than cushioning maximalism, appealing to players who prioritize ground contact and explosive takeoff.

BAPE's creative direction on this collaboration channels the label's signature camouflage and bold graphic sensibilities into the Dame 9's silhouette, creating a piece that functions equally well on hardwood or in lifestyle rotation. The colorway merges basketball utility with streetwear edge, making this version versatile across court-to-street styling. Pairing with everything from tech fleece to tailored suiting, the BAPE x Dame 9 carries cultural weight beyond performance specifications—a rare achievement in athlete signature lines.

At $99.97, this represents a 37% reduction from the $160 original retail price, positioning the BAPE x Dame 9 well below typical Dame 9 pricing. The discount applies automatically in-cart at Nordstrom Rack with no promo code required. Dame 9s typically hold strong secondary market value, making this outlet pricing an exceptional entry point for both basketball enthusiasts and collaborative sneaker collectors. Adidas Dame sizing runs true, though those with wider forefeet should consider a half-size up.