Arike Ogunbowale, who starred on the basketball court for Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee and is now playing in the WNBA, is showing off her hometown with a new shoe from Nike.
The Milwaukee skyline is featured on the back of the Nike G.T. Cut 2 x Arike Ogunbowale.
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
“Arike Ogunbowale has been to the apex of the basketball world, but she’s never forgotten where she came from,” states a description of the shoe on the Nike website. “For all the cold-blooded daggers, viral game-winners and eye-popping accolades, home is where her heart is.”
The description goes on to mention that the shoe pays homage to Ogunbowale’s hometown “that built her and the family that raised her.”
The shoe is “drenched” in Ogunbowale’s favorite shade of orange, according to Nike.
The step backs just got a lot colder.
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) July 3, 2023
Nike G.T. Cut 2 ‘Arike Ogunbowale’, a PE inspired by Arike’s favorite colors and Milwaukee roots. Created to be the pinnacle of Nike basketball technology, so just like Arike, hoopers can be greater than the competition.
“We used insights from female athletes to create a shoe that helps you play quickly and with confidence – which every basketball player needs,” the company says.
From step-backs to side-steps, Arike Ogunbowale’s Nike G.T. Cut 2 has the max traction she needs to be a bucket all game long.
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) July 2, 2023
Learn more about how the G.T. Cut 2 ‘Arike Ogunbowale,’ helps her be greater than the rest. 🏀⛹️♀️ pic.twitter.com/oiAqYKUsgi
Ogunbowale was a four-year varsity starter at Divine Savior Holy Angels and is the school’s all-time leader in points, assists, rebounds, made two-pointers, made free throws and games played.
She then went on to star at Notre Dame, where earned All-American honors and stands as the all-time leading scorer for women’s basketball at the university.
Ogunbowale led Notre Dame to the 2018 NCAA national championship, making game-winning shots in the semifinal and final games. Her off-balance shot at the buzzer to win the title remains as one of the great moments in college basketball history.
Two years ago today, Arike Ogunbowale hit an incredible buzzer-beater for a title.
— ESPN (@espn) April 1, 2020
Ice in her veins ❄️ pic.twitter.com/HFoIqW3HlM
A fifth overall selection in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings, Ogunbowale has gone on to become a two-time All-WNBA selection, a WNBA All-Star in 2021 and 2022, the 2021 WNBA All-Star Game MVP and was the league’s regular season scoring leader in 2020.
Add having her own hometown-themed shoe to an already extensive list of accomplishments for one of Milwaukee’s own.
