Kelsey Mitchell, sneaker free agent, wears Hali 1s at Fever Media Day
Kelsey Mitchell, fresh off a historic supermax deal, is now a sneaker free agent — and wore Tyrese Haliburton’s Puma Hali 1s to media day instead of Nike.
It was just one week ago that Kelsey Mitchell made history, becoming the first player in WNBA history to sign a seven-figure contract. The Fever signed her to the new supermax, worth 20% of the salary cap ($1.4 million).
Drafted second overall by Indiana in 2018, Mitchell is entering her ninth season — and the organization would like her to finish her career in Indianapolis.
But Mitchell has another contract up — her shoe and apparel deal.
She has previously been a Nike athlete, but told Fieldhouse Files on Wednesday that she is now a sneaker free agent.
Mitchell wore a pair of purple Nike shoes on the first day of training camp, but for media day on Wednesday, she switched things up — appearing in Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton’s signature Puma shoes.
The model: the Hali 1 ‘Halucinating,’ a colorway inspired by Haliburton’s unpredictable year and his shift back to form as he prepares for next season.
The release only became available last month.
Could Mitchell make a similar move — from Nike to Puma?
“I love Tyrese Haliburton as a person, even more as a player. I’m just kind of like figuring some things out and trying some things out. But I said, ‘Why not?’
“In the city of Indianapolis, with a guy like Tyrese Haliburtions and all of the things he’s done for the Pacers, it was only right to see where I’m at.
“Puma feels really good today, so shout-out to Tyrese.”
Mitchell is coming off a career season with the Fever, finishing fifth in MVP voting while leading the team to Game 5 of the semifinals in Las Vegas before her body gave out.
Watch her full interview from media day below.