The Forrest Gump edition of the Nike Book 1 is Devin Booker’s latest colorway, blends basketball, cinema, and nostalgia. A new low-cut sneaker has been recently released in homage to Tom Hanks’ iconic white and red Nike Cortez worn in the 1994 Academy Award-winning film Forrest Gump. Booker used a voice-over to mimic Gump’s Southern drawl in a playful commercial that marked the launch on his Instagram story. The spot recreated the famous cross-country running scene on Arizona’s Highway 163 by having Booker wear the long beard and Bubba Gump t-shirt associated with Gump.

 

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Debuting in February 2023, The Forrest Gump Book 1 is Booker’s newest addition to their growing sneaker lineup. Since then, the Suns’ superstar has created nearly 20 different colorways, each with their own personal touch. After the initial TV commercial in April 2024, this is the second official Nike advertising campaign for the Book 1s.

A Sneaker Hunt Across Phoenix

Adding to the excitement, Booker continued his grassroots marketing tradition by hiding pairs of Forrest Gump Book 1s in various locations around Phoenix. According to azcentral.com, fans were treated to an Easter egg hunt-style giveaway, with signed pairs marked with “Finders Keepers” appearing at a bus stop on Camelback Road, downtown at McKinley Avenue, and even under a trailer near the Footprint Center.

Booker has previously engaged fans in a sneaker scavenger hunt. In Sedona earlier this year, he hid pairs of his Sedona pink edition at Red Rock State Park and a McDonald’s. At the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, he wore Mirage colorway sneakers parked next to a pedestrian signal.

“I think that was actually the first one in the Phoenix area, and there’s people running all over for them,” Booker said. “Something I plan to continue to do in the future.”

Giving Back Through Sneakers

Booker’s interactive giveaways are not solely about marketing — they’re also about connecting. He has emphasized the joy of handing sneakers away hand-to-hand and ensuring fans feel involved.

“Nothing’s better than free shoes,” Booker said. “I know that as a kid growing up. And it just makes everybody feel involved. I’ve seen people reaching out to me that were late to the shoes but still had a family experience of trying to hunt them down and move throughout the city and get outside a little bit.”