Angels In the Sole: Nike KD 18 ‘Aunt Pearl’ Keeps the Flame Alive

The ‘Aunt Pearl’ series is more than just a pink sneaker drop – it’s one of the longest-running memorial tributes in sneaker history. Kevin Durant launched the concept back in 2012 to honour his late Aunt Pearl, who passed away from lung cancer in 2000. She wasn’t just family – she was a second mum, the woman who kept him grounded while his game took flight. Since then, each KD signature line has featured a special ‘Aunt Pearl’ edition dressed in pink hues, flowery motifs, and heartfelt detailing. Over the years, we’ve seen angel wings, satin liners, plush materials, and even nods to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, turning performance basketball sneakers into wearable memorials with soul.

Now, the Nike KD 18 picks up the baton with a colourway dubbed ‘Soft Pearl’. This year’s model swaps out the brighter tones of the past for a more subdued, almost celestial palette – think pale mesh uppers with champagne undertones, hits of metallic silver, and just enough shimmer to catch the light on a crossover.

But don’t let the delicate looks fool you – there’s plenty of performance firepower under the hood. The KD 18 might just be Durant’s most dialled-in signature to date. Built for shifty shot-creators and smooth operators, the silhouette ditches the outer TPU cage of the KD 17 and opts for a sleeker, stripped-back upper – letting the layered mesh and fused overlays do the talking. Underfoot, it’s a performance powerhouse: a full-length Zoom Strobel unit delivers court-feel and responsiveness, while an extra slab of Zoom Air up front keeps your first step snappy.

Currently, release details for the Nike KD 18 ‘Aunt Pearl’ are being kept under wraps, but keep it locked to Sneaker Freaker for updates.

For more on Nike hoops, make sure to check out all the latest on Ja Morant’s Ja 3.