In Photos: Mercury's Tasha Cloud unboxes custom Kobe 8s 'Gun violence awareness' shoes ahead of game vs Lynx 

Phoenix Mercury's Tasha Cloud unboxed custom Kobe Bryant sneakers before their WNBA showdown against the Minnesota Lynx on Friday night. To give attention to National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7, Nike sent Cloud a custom pair of Kobe 8 sneakers - a cause the guard proudly advocates for.

In a video posted by the Phoenix Mercury on Instagram, Cloud shared her excitement regarding the shoes:

"These are so nice. I can't wait to break these in. We gon' see you Friday!

"Wear Orange is really important to me. Protecting our kids, protecting our civilians, innocent civilians in this country. That's a main priority to me. So, the shoes are amazing. Wear Orange is our motto. Especially for Everytown, the grassroots organization that I've been a part of for the last few years."

Cloud expressed the need for peace in the world right now. She shared that while she played with the Washington Mystics, there were two school shootings in elementary schools, which instilled fear in children and that it "should be the last thing that kids have to worry about while going to have an education."

Look at the photos below to see the details of the shoes.

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via Instagram/Phoenix Mercury)

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via Instagram)

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via Instagram)

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via Instagram)

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via IG/Phoenix Mercury)

Custom Kobe 8 sneakers for Cloud and her cause (Via IG)

The pair had a dominant orange base, which pairs well with Phoenix's team colors. It also showed details about gun control around each piece. On the right shoe, the text "Protect kids not guns," is written on the front. The left shoe features the text "Teach Peace."

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Natasha Cloud on playing defense for the Mercury this season

During the offseason, Cloud opted to switch teams and join the Mercury. She spent her first eight seasons with the Mystics, where she developed her defensive skills and won the title with them in 2019.

Now with the Phoenix team, she hasn't forgotten how great of a defensive player she is. Despite being a defensive-minded guard, she's managed to put up 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists. This season, she's focused on making the All-Defensive team, as she's never been named since joining the WNBA.

After beating the LA Sparks on Sunday, she boldly stated her goal in mind.

"Let me take the mic. If y’all leave me off the defensive team this year, I am going to lose my mind. I am guarding one through five,” Cloud said. “I have always been a defensive-minded player. I think it is a testament to my Philly roots too, which is I take that challenge and I love it."

Cloud is currently averaging 1.9 steals this season, which is the highest average of her career.