adidas Fear of God Athletics Basketball 3 Breaks Cover in Chicago

The next chapter of Jerry Lorenzo’s adidas era has stepped into the light, with the Fear of God Athletics Basketball 3 (a name only a product manager could love) making a surprise appearance during a recent event in Chicago. Lorenzo himself laced up the unreleased pair, giving the world its clearest look yet at where the Athletics line is heading.

The Basketball 3 pushes the series' sculptural vernacular even further. The upper adopts a streamlined mesh build, punctuated by bold, undulating stripes that wrap the shoe in motion. It’s a departure from the blockier geometry of the original model, signalling a move toward something more fluid and futuristic.

Underfoot, the chunky midsole remains a signature anchor for the line, but the proportions feel even more immense this time around. A translucent outsole windows a crisp midsole layer, adding depth without cluttering the silhouette. The padded trapezoid tongue and Lorenzo’s familiar lace-toggle hardware return, blending sport with the quiet luxury cues that have defined Fear of God since day dot.

And then there’s the context. Rumours of the Athletics partnership slowing down have been bubbling for most of the year, lending the Basketball 3 an unexpectedly cinematic aura. Whether this marks a final act or the beginning of a new direction, the silhouette lands with the kind of clarity you only get from a designer closing a loop.

Whatever the future holds, the Basketball 3 proves the Fear of God Athletics story still has pulse – and plenty left to say.

For more on adidas hoops, make sure to check out the Harden Vol. 10 'Year of the Horse'.