Steve & Barry’s said four-time NBA All-Star Ben Wallace has become the first athlete endorser of the Starbury Brand. Wallace will wear the Starbury II shoe, which debuted on March 26th, on-court this season, while a Big Ben signature Starbury sneaker is currently being designed and will debut next season.

The Starbury collection, which was launched by New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury at Steve & Barry’s last summer, retails for $14.98. Like the Starbury II and Starbury high performance basketball sneaker styles before it, the Big Ben shoe is being designed by athletic gear design firm Rocketfish.

Steve & Barry’s said Starbury was the realization of Marbury’s vision to eliminate the pressure kids and parents feel to spend top dollar on the latest sneakers, having been raised in a large family facing financial challenges in Coney Island. Similarly, Wallace grew up the 10th of 11 children in the small town of White Hall, Alabama. Ben often received hand-me-downs from his older brothers and rarely received new shoes and clothes to wear. That background provided a strong foundation for his no-nonsense approach to the game and his defensive prowess on the court. It also made joining the Starbury Movement an easy decision.

Wallace said, “What Starbury is all about – trying to get kids to realize great sneakers and clothes can be affordable and cool – that’s really important.”