At Serious Player Only, co-creation means more than putting an athlete's name on a product. It means understanding how that athlete moves, identifying what their game demands and translating those insights into performance footwear.
Xaivian Lee is a Canadian guard from Toronto. He made his name at Princeton, where he earned first-team All-Ivy League honors twice, before transferring to Florida for the 2025–26 season. There he averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists per game and led the team in assists.
He's a playmaker who constantly changes direction and creates for others. When we signed Xaivian, one need became clear: he wanted the additional protection and security of a mid-top shoe.
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The Player's Need
Xaivian's game is built around sudden changes of direction, sharp lateral movement and hard cuts. He needed footwear that could provide:
- More ankle support and containment
- Greater impact protection
- A secure, locked-in fit
- More cushioning and rebound
-
Freedom to cut and change direction without feeling restricted
The challenge was not simply to add more material or make a higher shoe. It was to create more protection without taking away the agility that defines his game.
Over the first year of our partnership, this process led to two different models: the EASY1 PLUS and the PLAYER1.5 MID.
EASY1 PLUS: Protection With Power
The EASY1 PLUS was developed to give Xaivian a more protective and powerful platform for his explosive style of play.
Key Performance Features
- Mid-top construction: Provides greater coverage and support around the ankle.
- Full-length carbon-fiber plate: Adds stability and supports force transfer during explosive takeoffs and changes of direction
- Adjustable midfoot strap: Creates a more secure, snug fit and helps keep the foot contained during aggressive lateral movement.
- Enhanced cushioning: Offers more impact protection when landing, stopping, and repeatedly attacking the basket.
The result is a shoe built around protection, containment and explosive power. It gives Xaivian the confidence to attack at full speed.
PLAYER1.5 MID: Agility With Added Support
The PLAYER1.5 MID offered a better foundation for his second mid-top shoe.
The original PLAYER1.5 was designed around:
- Agility
- Flexibility
- Lightness
-
Low-to-the-ground court feel
For the PLAYER1.5 MID, our goal was to preserve all four qualities while adding greater ankle support and impact protection.
What We Changed
- Mid-top ankle construction: Adds support and containment around the ankle for sharper, more aggressive cuts.
- 15% stiffer midsole than the original PLAYER1.5: Creates a more supportive platform for Xaivian's movement and impact needs.
- Adjusted Explosive 2.0 cushioning setup: Provides the cushioning, firmness and rebound he needs without making the shoe feel slow or overly soft.
- Lightweight upper: Maintains the featherlight feeling of the PLAYER1.5.
- Flexible platform: Allows the foot to move naturally through rapid changes of direction.
- Low-to-the-ground design: Preserves court feel and control.
- PLAYER1.5 Elite traction: Delivers the grip needed for sudden stops and explosive cuts.
- Adjustable lacing system: Allows Xaivian to fine-tune the fit and containment.
The PLAYER1.5 MID adds protection around the ankle without sacrificing the agility, flexibility and lightness that made the original model such a strong foundation.
Two Shoes, Two Performance Solutions
Although both shoes were developed around Xaivian's need for greater support, they address it differently.
EASY1 PLUS is built for players seeking:
- Maximum protection and containment
- A more secure and snug fit
-
Explosive power and stability
PLAYER1.5 MID is built for players seeking:
- Added ankle support without the extra weight
- Flexibility and court feel
-
Protection during aggressive cutting
The EASY1 PLUS offers a more structured and powerful experience. The PLAYER1.5 MID delivers additional support while remaining fast, flexible and close to the court.
What Co-Creation Means to Us
Co-creation starts with listening.
It means studying how an athlete moves, understanding what is missing and continuing to adapt the product through feedback, testing and real competition.
The EASY1 PLUS and PLAYER1.5 MID were not created by simply raising the collar of an existing shoe. Each model responds to a different part of Xaivian's game and reflects what we learned from working with him.
For Xaivian, the partnership was always about more than product:
"A lot of their values align with mine. I'm really excited to see where the brand can go in the future and how I can be a part of that and help bolster it even more."
- Xaivian Lee
Xaivian did not simply wear these shoes.
He helped shape them.
Built with players. Made for the way they play.
