A brand of basketball clothing and shoes AND1 the first and only signatory, Alexis Morris, wants to be a pioneer in the world of streetball. Seeing an NCAA national champion in a streetball environment is recent to her fans, but it surely’s immediately home to Morris.

In late May, the Harlem Globetrotter agreed to join AND1 because she was searching for a chance to pave a path for girls with an identical background to hers.

Morris wanted to be part of a “cultural explosion” that was different from what people thought a brand deal should appear like, just as she spearheaded a turning point in women’s basketball popularity after winning a national championship together with her teammate LSU Angel Reese.

The left-handed defenseman’s path from start to finish hasn’t been traditional, but she likes it that way. Morris began her collegiate profession under coach Kim Mulkey at Baylor University, then moved on to Rutgers University and Texas A&M University. After leaving Texas A&M, she thought she would never play basketball again until Mulkey gave her yet another likelihood at LSU. As a fifth-grader, she scored 15.4 points and 4.1 assists as the point guard on the Tigers’ national championship team.

The Texas native was chosen twenty second overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She was later released during the preseason and believes that had that not happened, she would never have gotten the opportunity to sign with AND1.

Andscape caught up with Morris between guard practices preparing for AND1 upcoming Open Run event on Sunday at Coney Island in New York.

When you first began playing basketball, how did you approach constructing your sneaker collection?

I actually began getting inquisitive about my booty once I was a senior in highschool. In the starting, I used to be a player who showed up just to play basketball. I got here to the gym in Adidas shorts and Nike shoes. It didn’t matter to me. When I went to college, I got into it much more. I modeled my shoes and merchandise after the jerseys we wore that day, especially at LSU. We had one white uniform with purple lettering, with which I at all times wore purple shoes. I am unable to do ‘matches’, but I like to bring out the colours.

Once you have chosen your shoes, how will you set together the rest of your outfit?

I wear a sleeve on the court. Sometimes I feel like doing all or nothing with a scarf, sleeve and tights, or nothing in any respect. When I began wearing tights, my teammates at all times did it and sometimes teased me and said, “I stretched out my legs today.” But then there’s “Lex Luthor” and I’m in that zone. If I wear this headband, just understand it’s Lex Luthor and it’s going to be one of those nights. Most basketball players can relate to this. Once you set this headband on, I feel like I’m going to play one of the best games of my life.

What is so special about you that AND1 wanted to sign you as their first athlete?

AND1 is a movement powered by Black people, Black culture, inner cities and urban basketball. I’m all these items. I grew up in Beaumont, Texas. Resources were minimal and it was hard. But I’m lucky to be someone who has made it. I grew up playing streetball and that is what made me great. Being in AND1 is like coming home for me. We are perfect for one another. Most of the time I used to be twiddling with the boys and had to fight for my place on the court, but 90% of the belongings you do in life are based on self-confidence and I understand that.

What are you most looking forward to creating with AND1?

There is a continuing need for girls’s representation in sports and especially in street culture. People are attempting to displace street culture, but it surely was street culture that gave rise to basketball. It’s loot. I’m excited to design my collection. Obtaining an original collection is a dream come true for me. It’s something I’ve at all times wanted to do.

I can empower Black athletes and Black creators. I present a more androgynous side that is also underrepresented. You do not have to be the girliest of girls to wear my collection. I would like to incorporate some NIL offerings under the Alexis Morris brand into AND1. I’m searching for my first athlete to invite on board.

How does a cope with a streetwear brand help young athletes realize that there are non-traditional ways to gain support?

Even before I signed, I checked out A’ja Wilson and Nike in her shoes, Angel (Reese) and Reebok, Caitlin (Clark) and Dana Evans. I actually have the same feelings and excitement that they created for me, and I would like to create them for other female athletes. I can provide tangible proof that little girls, young women and Black women across the country can see what happens while you dream big, different and ambitious.

What would it not mean to you to be the first WNBA player to integrate the AND1 brand and culture into the league?

I am unable to wait to get back to the WNBA. Since I used to be 8 years old, my goal was to not only make the team, but in addition play in the season. There is a misconception that I hate WNBA veterans and expect them to resign from positions they’ve worked for. This is how they earn a living. I apologize to the people I offended. Without these comments I could not be where I’m today.

I’m never going to hand over on myself. I feel it should be cool to bring different audiences together. The WNBA now has much more viewership and marketing, which might draw much more attention to the street culture atmosphere. Since being an element of the Harlem Globetrotters, I’ve also learned so much of streetball moves and I’m looking forward to implementing them in organized basketball. I’ll give you the option to express all my experiences. If I come back, I’ll definitely be somewhat more cunning.