When a player drops a second signature shoe, the first colorway matters. It sets the tone for the whole era. The Nike Book 2 “Rising” does exactly that—dark base, heat on the Swoosh, and a “built in the shadows” vibe that matches Booker’s whole identity: quiet work, loud results.
This pair isn’t trying to be cute or trendy. It’s a statement in motion—the kind of colorway that looks even meaner once it’s scuffed up from real minutes.
Quick facts (so you can post fast)
Model: Nike Book 2
Colorway: “Rising” (Black and Safety Orange)
SKU: IB6687-001
Price: $145
Release: January 2, 2026
The look: “embers on blacktop”
The easiest way to describe “Rising” is embers on a blacktop court.
You’ve got a mostly black upper, then a Swoosh that fades through warm tones like a flame gradient. That simple contrast is why it works: it’s not loud everywhere—it’s loud in one perfect spot, and that’s what makes it feel intentional.
Even the storytelling Nike used for this colorway leans into that idea: Booker stacking work when nobody’s watching, fueling the fire, then flipping the switch when the lights come on.
What the Book 2 is really aiming for: low, quick, connected
The Book line has always lived in that sweet spot of on-court function with off-court wearability—and the Book 2 doubles down on it.
Nike describes the Book 2 as low-profile for a close-to-the-court feel while still keeping it comfortable. That’s exactly what you want for Booker’s style: controlled footwork, hard stops, and quick pace changes without feeling like you’re riding high on a marshmallow platform.
Performance details that actually matter
Here’s the stuff that impacts how the shoe should feel when you play in it:
Air Zoom moved to the forefoot to match that “closer to the ground” guard feel (more pop where you push off).
Herringbone-style traction inspired by the Air Force 1 pattern, but built wider/more supportive for stability.
Upper options in the Book 2 line include a lightweight mesh approach on some pairs and a more modern molded build on others—same goal: support and a locked-in ride without looking overly techy.
Translation: this is designed to feel snappy and planted, not bulky.
Why “Rising” is the perfect debut colorway
A debut colorway needs to do three things:
represent the athlete,
look good on TV,
still be wearable in real life.
“Rising” checks all three. It’s Phoenix-coded (orange/black), it pops under arena lighting, and it doesn’t box you into one outfit. Booker even called out the orange/black direction as a nod to Phoenix for early styles like “Phoenix” and “Rising.”
Fit & sizing talk (real-world expectations)
Most Nike hoop shoes in this lane tend to run true to size, but if you’re the type that hates any toe pressure, a half size up can be your move—especially if you wear thicker socks.
Best practical advice:
Hoopers who like lockdown: true to size
Casual wear / wider feet: consider half size up
How to style it off-court (without trying too hard)
This pair is basically built for simple fits:
black cargos + vintage tee
black jeans + hoodie + orange hat accent
grey sweats + black jacket (let the Swoosh do the talking)
The trick is easy: don’t compete with the gradient. Let it be the only “loud” piece.
Where it’s landing
Nike positioned Book 2 releases for January 2026 through Nike and select retailers, and “Rising” is one of the headline pairs.
SneakerJawns take
The Book 2 “Rising” feels like a proper “Chapter 2” opener—clean enough to wear anywhere, aggressive enough to look serious on court. If you only grab one early Book 2, this is the one that makes the most sense: it tells the story without needing extra gimmicks.
