Basketball performance footwear sales grew by 12%, from 1.63 billion USD in the 12 months ending April 2013, to 1.83 billion USD in the 12 months ending April 2014. Overall, basketball-related footwear accounted for 25% of all athletic footwear combined, demonstrating a robust presence in the United States market.

“Just one look at the colors, styles, innovation, and launches in basketball footwear this year, and you will see the reason for its higher level of growth,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group, adding: “The basketball segment is capitalizing on brand and star power performance, which is working to its advantage. On top of that, all of these features put together add greater appeal and diversify basketball footwear’s place in the market. Consumers, whether shoe enthusiasts or not, are drawn to the product launches and styles, which are driving basketball footwear sales today.”

NPD states that Brand Jordan, Nike, Adidas, and Reebok were the top-performing basketball footwear brands in the 12 months ending April 2014. According to the same source, the top three fastest growing U.S. footwear markets during the same period were Atlanta (35%), Philadelphia (17%), and Dallas (16%).

“The strength of the basketball shoe market in large cities is undeniable, but it’s not only consumers in the larger urban markets that are buying into this craze” said Cohen, clarifying: “consumers are reaching out from all corners of the U.S. to get in on the action. This category has universal appeal across the country.”