In November 2024, NBA star Klay Thompson made a return to San Francisco for a game against his former team, with whom he spent 13 successful years. It was a pretty iconic moment for the sharpshooter. But for Filipino artist JP Pining, that moment was the fulfillment of a dream—because during that game, Thompson was wearing a pair of sneakers featuring the artist’s design.

That pair is one of Anta’s latest offerings, the KT X “Rocco.” The beloved shoe model got a fresh look inspired by the Filipino artist’s painting in homage to Thompson’s pet. In 2023, Klay visited the Philippines for his Manila tour. During his stay, the Dallas Mavericks star met Filipino creatives and got to know their works through an exhibition led by sneaker collector and patron of local arts DJ Bigboy Cheng.

The exhibition featured artwork inspired by Klay and his life. One of the pieces on display was JP’s painting of Klay’s beloved bulldog, Rocco. Anta’s global design team also took notice, and just a little over a year later, the painting made its way onto the feet of the celebrated shooting guard it was created for.

“I knew that the exhibit would be more about Klay and his life on the basketball court. So, I decided to go a little more personal and do a painting of Rocco, his best friend,” JP tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle about his artwork.

Turning the painting into a shoe design was a breeze, according to JP. The KT X “Rocco” retains its minimalist style but is made more striking with hues from the painting. This approach makes the shoes easy to wear—whether on the court for a game or out on the streets for a casual look.

“This colorway bridges basketball culture and local art, and the KT X ‘Rocco’ highlights one of Manila’s best artists today,” Anta Philippines’ general manager John Paul Paglinawan says. “It also stemmed from being a gift from a Filipino to one of the all-time greatest shooters in NBA history. We hope to see more of JP’s works—and hopefully those of other Filipino artists—on more Anta products in the future.”

Apart from being an artist, JP also plays basketball and is passionate about the sport. Seeing the shoes he designed on a global stage feels like a full-circle moment for him.

“It was surreal! I remember just asking him for an autograph, and now he is wearing shoes I designed,” JP says. “I want Filipinos—sneakerheads and basketball fans—to feel like they are part of the making of these shoes. They have supported me, the brand, and the player… I’m looking forward to being a pioneer in collaborations between the brand and other local artists.”

The Anta KT X “Rocco” is priced at P7,595 and is available at select Anta retail stores globally.