NBA: Stuart Ballinger designs new Zion Williamson shoes for Nike

An up and coming off the court star from western Victoria has become Australia’s latest NBA connection. Here’s how.

Australia’s connection to the NBA and the New Orleans Pelicans has grown by two in recent weeks.

You might already know about Dyson Daniels — after he was drafted by the western conference organisation — but you might not have heard of Stuart Ballinger.

That’s because the 26-year-old from Horsham won’t be taking to the court for the Pelicans.

Instead his work will be on the feet of one of Daniels’ newest teammates, Zion Williamson.

His design is featured on the recently released Nike Jordan Zion 2 Hope Diamonds, a project more than 18 months in the making.

The shoes are the second in rising star Williamson’s collection.

“It’s insane to think one of the biggest names in the sport is wearing my design,” Mr Ballinger said.

“Nike approached me after I put out a project on a software called Behance, which is owned by Adobe, as a bit of a visual experiment. It helps to get brand attention when your work is featured on there.

“I was actually approached in January 2021 and I had to keep it quiet for a while which wasn’t easy especially when my brother and dad are massive basketball fans.

“I’m not much of a fan myself but it’s pretty incredible to think where my shoe is going to be seen.”

The Nike Zion 2 Hope Diamonds. Photo: Nike.

Williamson did not play at NBA game for the Pelicans during the 2021-22 season with a foot injury, combined with several setbacks, keeping him on the sidelines.

But that didn’t stop the franchise from recently committing him to a new five-year contract which could be worth as much as $231 million.

“The money in sports like basketball and soccer is crazy,” Mr Ballinger said.

“I’ve already had a bunch of my friends say they’ve ordered shoes. I can’t wait to see them wearing my design.

“When I get mine, I think I’ll just put it on display in my studio.”

The Nike Zion 2 Hope Diamonds. Photo: Nike.

Mr Ballinger’s breakthrough career moment came after 10 years of learning which started in the classroom during high school.

He did “pretty much unpaid work” for several years before deciding to try his hand at running a digital design business full-time in 2021.

He has since returned to part time work at the Horsham Regional Art Gallery.

“The pandemic has been a good thing for my work in some ways because it has shown more businesses are open to working with people who might be remote,” he said.

“I’ve done work for Adobe and Samsung in the past but there’s just something different about when you say to people ‘I did this for Nike’.

“It’s a brand which is probably a bit more well known.

“I’m hoping to work with more big projects moving forward and I’d happily do another shoe design if someone asked me.”

You can see all of his designs at stuballinger.art