By Mark Haynes | OBSERVER Correspondent
LAS VEGAS — Former Sacramento Kings guard Langston Galloway teamed up with Keegan Murray on the USA Select Team in Las Vegas from Aug. 3-5. Galloway, owner of shoe brand Ethics, had the opportunity to debut a new colorway of his lgTWO Stars and Stripes sneaker, and he got to see Murray’s game up close for the first time as teammates.
In an exclusive interview with The OBSERVER, Galloway talked about his love for shoes, Murray’s performance in camp, and more.
The USA Select team’s job was to give the official USA men’s roster a tough time in practice, and they did just that by beating the official FIBA World Cup team on the first day of camp. Many young talented NBA players were highlighted in the victory, and Kings forward Murray was one of the standouts.
“Keegan played well,” Galloway told The OBSERVER. “He was solid and efficient. I’m excited to watch him expand his game even more after this year.”
Last season Murray was named to the NBA all-rookie first team after averaging 12.2 points on 45.3% shooting from the field and 41.1% from three-point range. He was a key to the Kings’ success, and improvements in his game could pay enormous dividends for Sacramento this season.
Besides being teammates with Murray for the first time, Galloway started camp as the career record holder for most points in USA Basketball World Cup qualifying games for the first time. Since the format changed in 2017, nobody has scored more career points (119). It’s an accomplishment the 31-year-old doesn’t take for granted. When designing his latest sneaker, this milestone was a significant influence.
“It was one hell of a process because once I had the opportunity to play with Team USA, I knew I needed some customs for the games,” Galloway shared with The OBSERVER. “Then becoming the all-time World Cup qualifier leading scorer made it even more enticing to create the colorway in my second shoe.”
Galloway was known in his NBA career for being one of the league’s top spot-up shooters and shot a career-high three-point percentage of 47.5 with the Kings. He also was one of the NBA’s biggest sneaker collectors. It was a passion that grew early and helped with his style.
“I’ve always been creative and outside the box when it came to sneakers,” he said. “Growing up wanting kicks, knowing I couldn’t afford them, drove me crazy to work my ass off to get here. Now I’m able to have most kicks that I want, and I’m in the process of selling everything to make Ethics work.”
Peers like Kyrie Irving have sported Ethics and given good reviews about the shoe, and Galloway and his team appreciate everyone who helps spread the word. One of Galloway’s biggest pleasures with his shoe, however, is getting young people in a pair of sneakers.
“It means a lot,” Galloway said. “When I’m able to [collaborate] with these different programs and instill what I’ve learned to help the next generation out.”
Ethics shoes are available to purchase online at Ethicsthebrand.com; follow them on Instagram @ethicsthebrand.