Dejounte Murray will tell you that he comes from humble beginnings where he couldn't focus too much on flashy sneakers because they were simply out of reach. But now things are completely different. Murray is entering his sixth season in the NBA and is part of a New Balance roster that includes Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray among other big-name athletes. He's got access to all the New Balance kicks and threads he wants.
Murray is helping New Balance launch the 327 Heat Up Collection, which draws inspiration from Murray's hometown of Seattle. The collection features two pairs of the New Balance 327 with both sporting a multi-color approach that fits Murray's style to a tee. The 327 Heat Up Collection will be available on Nov. 3 and retails at $100. The kicks can be purchased exclusively at Foot Locker, Champs Sports, Footaction and Eastbay.
In an exclusive interview with CBS Sports, Murray discusses the upcoming collection, his time with New Balance and how he often catches the attention of his San Antonio Spurs teammates with his NB kicks.
CBS Sports: What stands out to you about the 327 Heat Up Collection?
Dejounte Murray: I love just a lot of flavors. If you have a lot of flavors on your shoes, those are shoes you can wear with a bunch of different outfits. I always try to look out for low-income people who can't afford $200 shoes, so with these types of shoes and all these colors you can get your money's worth and put a lot of use out of them with different outfits. They're not boring. Everyone's going to look to see the colors of the shoes.
CBS: New Balance really pushes the envelope when it comes to colorful designs that are versatile. Has that been a seamless relationship for you given that you like that style?
DM: They're doing a helluva job. I wouldn't say that I'm surprised. When I first signed with New Balance, I always said I'm going to let people do what they do. My job is to play basketball, be a father, be a great man and with my endorsement deal it's my job to rep them to the fullest from on the court to off the court. Just seeing the progression and the rise of New Balance makes me thankful and grateful to be a part of it.
CBS: You're part of a New Balance roster that includes yourself, Kawhi Leonard, Jamal Murray, Darius Bazley and Aaron Nesmith - how would you describe this group?
DM: I'm cool with all of those guys. What I can say about us is that we're dudes who are not afraid to be different. Fearless dudes, passionate dudes. We're going to rep New Balance to the fullest. We're not going to be shy about it and we're going to make people want to wear it. I'm more like the sweatsuit guy. Kawhi can do a little bit of both. Darius Bazley is the one that really turns it up with the style. But we believe in New Balance. It's not about our roster having 100 guys or five guys, it's just about who's here. It becomes a brotherhood, a family and we're trying to grow this thing.
CBS: Have you had moments in the locker room where teammates have been intrigued by whatever New Balance kicks you're rocking?
DM: It's crazy you bring that up. So the thing about New Balance is that once you're with them they really take care of you. I speak highly of them to everybody. I have a lot of teammates who are always like, 'Damn, those are New Balances?' I have a bunch of people saying, 'Tell them to call me. I'm about to be a sneaker free agent!' The day I signed, I was hurt but I knew I was going to sign and I've seen the rise from then to now and everybody is getting on this wave. It's dope to be a part of something that's growing. Growth is one of the most important things for us as humans.
CBS: What was the reception when you broke out the New Balance Two WXY in the retro Spurs colorway?
DM: This is San Antonio so you have to think there's nothing really major besides the Spurs. You talk about San Antonio and it's all about the Spurs. Knowing your history, that's all these people have. Those colors -- the Fiesta colors -- have such a great story behind them and such history behind them. A lot of fans, I don't think they expected that. It just happened, and when it happened it was just crazy. Everywhere I went, everybody from the staff to fans were like 'I need some.' When we decided to make those, I was like 'we're going to need a lot of these.' I knew people were going to want them.
CBS: How excited are you for the New Balance PEs you have lined up for this season?
DM: The colorways we have coming out, like I said, it's just getting better and better. One thing I love is they allow you to be free and be you. If I don't like something, they allow me to just tell them and we come up with something else. I tell them the history behind me, whether it's my family, my daughter and they just build around it. I'm excited. I think the fans and my family will be excited. People expect me to see me in some nice heat so I'm excited for them to see what's next.
