As for our SLAM Fam, we’ve got a whole collection just for and yours. Whether you’re tuned in to the NBA, the W, college hoops or you’re an OG collector of the magazine, here’s the ultimate SLAM Gift Guide.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, SLAM Night at Barclays, hundreds of magazines and cover stars. We really out here. Thanks for rocking with us for the past 30 years.

AP Freshman of the Week is just the beginning. From Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils to BBN and more, rep your fav college squad.

SHOP

Whoever said the L is getting boring is actually the boring one. From the C’s to the Kings, this collection is for true hoopers.

SHOP

Juju is dropping 40, the Gamecocks are beating teams by that amount and before we know it, the WNBA will be back. We’re readyyyy.

SHOP

The post The ULTIMATE SLAM Gift Guide appeared first on SLAM.

If you’re not on the Tajh bandwagon, we suggest you board soon.

The Southern California roots run deep for the 6-9 junior. Not only did his father, Trevor, win an NBA championship with the Lakers, but his mother, Lana, grew up on Nipsey and his impact. Now Tajh is forging his own path, not only with a West Coast staple, but also on the court at Westchester High School (where his dad starred back in the day).

The recently announced collaboration is very intentional. Comprised of graphic heavy tees, the limited edition capsule collection features designs inspired by both Ariza and his Westchester teammates. The color scheme—consisting of red, white and black—pays homage to Westchester’s palette and Tajh’s Japanese roots.

A bulk of the proceeds will go to support the Westchester High School basketball team, a local public school, and their efforts to grow as a program and compete nationally. 

The debut of this highly anticipated Los Angeles alliance takes place tonight during the Westside Tip-Off Classic, where Westchester will be seen rocking the collection on opening night.

The late Nipsey Hussle had a dream of building up his community. While he is no longer physically here with us, his legacy lives on and Tajh’s journey begins while carrying the torch. This newfound union between Ariza and TMC proves that.

To help support the Westchester basketball program, the Tajh Ariza x TMC Collection can be found here. 

The post HS Star Tajh Ariza Teams Up with Nipsey Hussle’s Brand The Marathon Clothing appeared first on SLAM.

A popular saying created by the younger generation emphasizing the transition of eras. Basketball has gone through a massive culture shift. It’s definitely easy to forget how we got to where we are now as the memories and styles of years ago grow older. But some things remain timeless. Time for a quick trip down memory lane.

Baggy shorts and buzz cuts. These two ruled the ’90s. That era had some of the sickest swag the sport could offer. The Memphis State Tigers and Runnin’ Rebels are proof.

In honor of their upcoming matchup, which will only be the sixth time they’ve ever faced off (UNLV is leading the series 4-1), we’re paying tribute to the foundational elements of college hoops: the gear. 

The Memphis State Tigers have been around for a long time and their style has inspired plenty. They possessed a clean look that stood out, much like the players who came through the program (and notably their head coach, the late Larry Finch). But it was the 1991-92 season that those in Memphis still reminisce about. The glory days. Their home unis were crisp white. Striking blue accents lined the waist and trim while their away uniforms flipped the script with a sea of dominant blue and sharp white details. Thick grey block letters stitched above and below the numbers. The loose-fitting shorts, labeled with an MSU patch, were illuminated with their iconic tiger logo just above the knee, capping off the perfect blend of simplicity and style.

On the other side of the aisle, the Rebels were Runnin’ rampant in the ’90s with a timeless aesthetic. Black kicks, knee-length shorts, team huddles on the floor. When you see red, you think bold, tough and rigid. When you see UNLV on your schedule, the exact same feelings come to mind. Their jerseys evoked as much chaos as their open court offense, featuring a predominantly white home design with fresh red accents that extended onto the shorts that fans in Nevada still rock to this day. The away unis were just as fire; a powerful red with white details, creating a fierce and intimidating look. The baggy fit of the shorts with the stripes bleeding down the side and small UNLV logo completed the audacious yet encapsulating aesthetic of the era. This cohesive and fearless look mirrored the Rebels’ aggressive and high-energy play. Just ask Larry Johnson how formidable Las Vegas was.

As these two teams prepare to meet tomorrow, we can’t forget their past. The resurgence of the two programs this weekend doesn’t just exemplify the diverse landscape that continues to expand across the game, it’s cementing the eras that got us here. The ’90s brought flashy individualism both on and off the court, which we still see in today’s game and tunnels. The baggy styles we witness across the NBA and the high school ranks may look different now, but they originated from decades’ past. So respect the OGs for paving the way.

Still done with the ’90s? We thought so…

From the iconic shorts to throwback logos and gear, head over to the SLAM Store to rep your school, whether you’re runnin’ with the Rebels or rocking with the Tigers.

Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Timeless Threads: How Memphis State and UNLV Helped Pave the Way For Today’s ’90s Obsession appeared first on SLAM.

Obviously, I was always the one to have it. My mom would take me to 7-Eleven and the donut shop, and that was the first two things I’d ask for in the morning, every first of the month. 

Seeing that new SLAM as a 7th grader, it made me work harder. As I was setting up all my goals as a hooper — playing in the McDonald’s Game, being a national champion in High School, and eventually making it to the NBA — being in SLAM was right there at the top of my list. 

When I was 12, I knew that if I made the SLAM cover one day, our lives would change. 

The first time I thought I could be in SLAM was when I saw Sebastian Telfair and LeBron James on the cover as high school basketball players. That right there took it to the next level for me. Just a few years later, before my 10th grade year at Dominguez High School in LA, there I was, doing my first photoshoot to be in SLAM.

I was in the locker room, just mean mugging the whole time. Just letting the world know: There’s a hostile young kid from Compton coming.

I just always loved the grittiness, and seeing some of the best basketball players from around the world in the magazine. You were always hearing the hype about players for the first time. As the competitors that we are, everyone wants to go against the best, and SLAM always kept you updated on who was coming and who was next. 

Fast forward to now, and hearing that SLAM is going into the Hall of Fame on its 30th anniversary — it’s well deserved. It’s just a big moment for real basketball. With everything that they put into the streets, the love of basketball has definitely paid off for them. I’m just happy for everyone that I’ve known at the magazine over the years. 

To celebrate SLAM’s 30th anniversary, I wanted to connect my own brand Tuff Crowd with SLAM for a fire collection. Working on this collab together is just another full circle moment in my life. 

As everyone knows, I never went to college. Me going across the country to Oak Hill early, then making the decision to skip college, go out the country and go overseas — my route in my life has always been different. Even retiring early and starting Tuff Crowd was different.  

That’s what this collection represents. That taking a risk is nothing, when you have that belief in you.

The joy of taking a risk and not knowing what’s coming is the beauty of life.

At Tuff Crowd University, we keep it hostile. It’s the school and mindset for everyone that has taken a different path in life to get to where they want to go.

We wanted to use the original SLAM logo for this collection, with that grittiness, to take it all the way back to ’94. We’ve got a coach’s jacket, two hoodies, two tees and some game shorts that are crazy. It’s about having that coaching swag, and celebrating the idea of school spirit and playing by your own rules.

This collab is also just showing how much the game has meant to me. Way back when I was 12, I wasn’t wrong. Being in that SLAM Magazine as a 10th grader, and then on the cover at 18 years-old in Italy and again as a NBA rookie, really did change my life.

All these years later, this collection also shows how we’re always bigger than just basketball players. Being able to put the ball down and get into something outside of it, but still be connected to the game of basketball, is just a great feeling of pride for what I’m building with Tuff Crowd and where I’ve been in my life. 

And I’ve got SLAM Magazine to thank for giving me that inspiration from the very beginning. 

SLAM Magazine photo credit: Drew Reynolds.

The post SLAM and Tuff Crowd Are Keeping It Hostile  appeared first on SLAM.

 “Our aspiration is for players to feel comfortable and safe, so they can focus on getting in the “zone”, and enjoy the game more”, says Andy Blinds, CEO of Gamepatch.

As Gamepatch is specifically designed for basketball, the brand has collaborated with NBA player Kristaps Porzingis. All Gamepatch products are hand-crafted overseas in Porzingis’ home country of Latvia, Europe.

“It’s a great feeling to share my first impressions on new product designs from a player’s perspective, working together with Gamepatch to create quality products that help to protect players,” says Porzingis. “Basketball is getting more competitive every day,” he continues, “Players become faster, stronger and the game is getting more physical. For us, it means that we need to prepare our bodies to perform at a high level. Gamepatch has created unique products that can really help us at intense moments of the game and prevent injuries. I believe in the concept and I am proud to be the Brand Ambassador for such a great product.”

Almost every NBA player uses compression wear and a lot of players choose to wear padded gear to prevent injuries. As in any high contact game, players are constantly dealing with aches, sprains, bruises or the worse. On average 22 percent of all basketball players sustain an injury at least once a season. Every player wants to spend as little time as possible on the bench and be capable of playing harder, longer and feeling safe on the court. Gamepatch products are affordable for both amateurs and professionals.

Gamepatch’s product line was born with basketball, but its impact extends well beyond the hardwood to other sports including handball, football, volleyball and soccer. Featuring an innovative “Body Adjusting Technology,” its functionality seems like something out of the future: when worn, Gamepatch quickly reacts to your body temperature to create a softer, more custom fit that feels like a second skin. Through tests and scientific studies, Gamepatch’s team has found that their products can absorb hits 20 percent more effectively than similar products and vastly lowers the risk of injuries.

“There are a lot of athletes in different sports looking for better sportswear with improved functionality,” says Andy Blinds. “List of our users is expanding, more EuroLeague and NBA players appreciate the quality and protective properties of Gamepatch. We are convinced that we can help thousands of athletes across the world to stay safe, prevent injuries, and improve their confidence. This is the vision that drives Gamepatch.”

As the talent level overseas and in the States continues to grow, Gamepatch is ahead of the game in terms of injury prevention—that way, all you need to really focus on is going out there and dropping buckets.

Shop here: https://game-patch.com

The post Gamepatch is Committed to Player Body Protection, Backed by Celtics Newly Acquired Kristaps Porzingis appeared first on SLAM.

However you want to perceive it, 2,006 days is a long time to do anything consistently. Some might even call it impossible, but not Kenji Summers. On December 25, 2017, Summers was challenged by a friend to meditate every day for a year; pretty soon, one year turned into two, two turned into three, and now Summers is completing his sixth year of the challenge. But Summers has always been up for a challenge—his most recent being a part of the SLAM Zen Collection, which is inspired by mindfulness and finding inner peace both on and off the court.

“I identify mindfulness as coming back to yourself and meditation as going into yourself,” Summers recently told SLAM.

Summers has been mentored by the legendary George Mumford, who has worked with everyone from the late-Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan on the practice of mediation. The Brooklyn-native and UMass Amherst alumni is also a former hooper, worked as a brand manager for Nike Basketball East and founded Passport Life, a non-profit organization committed to empowering youth to travel the world.

In SLAM’s Zen Collection campaign, Summers narrates the promotional video and talks about the essence of piece and how, as a player, it’s important to be fully present.

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We talked to Summers about his take on meditation, his personal journey and how every athlete can unlock their higher selves through this practice.

SLAM: How would you define meditation and mindfulness?

KENJI SUMMERS: Peace. I identify mindfulness as coming back to yourself and meditation as going into yourself. 

SLAM: Why do you meditate?

KS: I meditate to get to know myself better. When I started 2,006 days ago I was just trying to escape anxiety. My thoughts were moving non-stop and life felt overwhelming. I had lost my job and needed something to take the edge off that would not lead to other side effects. When I started my first meditation lasted for three minutes.

SLAM: You’ve spoken about learning from George Mumford, and how his work helped you on your path to mindfulness? Do you see mindfulness as an individual journey or one guided by mentorship?

KS: George Mumford is the GOAT you never heard of. He was the mindfulness coach to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. In 2015 he put out a book “The Mindful Athlete” and I read it front to back while working on ideas to celebrate Kobe’s last season in the League. George’s teaching has helped me see the masterpiece within and elevate my game to a level of pure performance. Today I don’t try to be anyone but myself. Mindfulness is an inner game and if you want to play the infinite game—which never ends and is all about continuing the play—then having a mentor is very important. We all have those favorite teachers or OG’s from our life, and for me, George is one of them. I would still be me without him but I am a better version of myself because of him. If you ever meet him you will know what I’m talking about. Straight Black Jedi, Yoda flow.

SLAM: What is the infinite game and who is the infinite player? 

KS: The infinite game is the boundless arena of life and the infinite player is the one who thrives, transcending limits and embracing the unpredictable play, ever-evolving and adapting. Live the infinite game, be the infinite player, and play as an infinite athlete.

SLAM: How is an individual’s mindfulness impacted by being on a team?

KS: Basketball is a team game. You have to know yourself and know your teammates. Mindfulness which I like to call Sturdiness is all about getting right with yourself so you can get in flow with your homies. Your teammates. Your coaches. I say your homies because mindfulness is not about hierarchies but recognizing roles and contributions. Meditation, which I like to call structure is about practicing on a deeper level. George would have MJ and Pippen and Kobe and Shaq meditate with their teams before games. No wonder such big personalities were able to get along and win chips during their time. My style is similar and while I focus one-on-one, my group sessions are about encouraging everyone to be their own masterpiece so that they can create a masterpiece with other masterpieces. Feel me?

SLAM: How did you incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your life when you were hooping in high school and considering furthering your career in basketball? 

KS: I didn’t. It took me ’till I had gotten to be dream job at Nike to start practicing. But when I look back I had glimpses of mindfulness and meditation when I was practicing Tae Kwon Do at the Vanderbilt YMCA while simultaneously playing in Junior Knicks. Hoops needs these practices more than ever. With superstars getting suspensions for mental lapses and poor decision making it is important to get to the root of the issue. It’s about stress. We do not want to admit that we have a stress epidemic. This stress epidemic connects to our attention epidemic. In “Stolen Focus” author Johann Hari emphasizes “In situations of low stress and safety, mind-wandering will be a gift, a pleasure, a creative force. In situations of high stress or danger, mind-wandering will be a torment.” We have to admit that we don’t feel safe in this world. Especially young hoopers. There is a level of psychological violence inflicted on them from the time they start showing promise and the cameras go on them. Instead of making them out to be villains or victims, we have to be OG’s and elders. That means we have to be sturdy and structured. What I am doing is putting these practices into easily learnable and digestible tools. It’s about physical fitness and skills along with mental fitness and mental skills. We need them all. 

SLAM: How can athletes integrate mindfulness into their everyday lives?

KS: Start with whatever is buggin’ you right now. Breathe in and hold your breath until your desire to breathe is more important than the issue at hand. On the breath out feel the gratitude that at this moment breathing was all that is important. From moment to moment having gratitude for the ability to breathe will provide more peace and joy in everyday life. I call this Free Peace.

SLAM: Is there a difference between the type of mindfulness an athlete may practice on the court versus at home?

KS: Nah, the court is life and the life is the court. But starting out knowing that these practices can help you play better is a real motivation. The GOATS all have had mental practices: LeBron, MJ, Kobe, Dr J you name ‘em. Make your practice your life and see what miracles happen. 

SLAM: Do you have any advice for hoopers beginning their mindfulness journey?

KS: Come see me this summer in NYC. NYC hoops is in a renaissance and I am part of the scenius –the genius of a group of people and their culture. 

SLAM: Could you speak on the inspiration behind the SLAM Zen Collection?

KS:  I had read “Unlocked” by George Mumford and “Finite and Infinite Games” by James Carse. In sitting with these books and speaking to my friend Jesse Stollak I realized how powerful our stories are to tell. Jesse does a lot of storytelling in his role but we both connect on knowing that what we do ultimately is about service. Me repping Zen every day through Captain Zen Garden caps and living my Free Peace lifestyle was a natural fit to tell a story around meditation and hoops. I realized that I had recently unlocked my infinite athlete. It felt wavy to realize that there is no one better to be but myself (everyone else is taken) and I came to believe that I had to share my masterpiece with the world.

The SLAM Zen Collection is all about finding serenity in style.

The post Kenji Summers on the Art of Mediation and Being Mentored by the Same Teacher Who Worked with Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant appeared first on SLAM.

The Compound x Clarks Originals Wallabee collab was patterned after vintage leather basketballs and creative genius Set Free Richardson’s signature branding elements on the heel and insoles of the shoe. It incorporates Compound branding throughout, including their “7” logo (made popular by Compound founder Set Free Richardsons now iconic hats) as a lace-lock, with the “7” symbolizing spirituality, intuition, free thinking and creativity.

Meanwhile, imagery of Anderson, a reported Clarks fan, adds an authentic basketball connection to the story.

“We are excited to launch this multifaceted activation that brings the world of art, fashion, music, sports, and technology all together in one of the most exciting cities in the world with our talented partner, Set Free Richardson and Compound,” Tara McRae, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Clarks, said in a statement. “We first began our partnership with Free when he directed our award-winning original documentary, ‘Clarks and New York,’ last spring.”

“Free’s passion for the brand became apparent and quickly materialized into one of Clarks’ most dynamic campaigns to date. He was a natural choice to partner on this project and has brought it to a whole other level.”

The Compound x Clarks Originals campaign featured a Carbon Neutral NFT by BK The Artist through the platform bubble house (Street Seams (bubblehouse.com), as well as a brand new song titled “Floor Seats” featuring Jadakiss and Dave East to celebrate the release. There was also an event hosted at premier retailer UNKWN in Miami on December 2nd during Art Basel, where Jadakiss performed live.

The “Floor Seats” Wallabee is available through the purchase of the Street Seams NFT designed by BK The Artist (released Nov. 18). The NFT is available via Bubblehouse.

The post Clarks Originals and Compound Teamed Up Alongside Kyle Anderson for ‘Floor Seats’ Wallabee Drop appeared first on SLAM.

The SLAM x SUPLMNT Water Bottle Collection is available now.

And yet, the very act of consuming it, or even having access to an insulated water bottle, isn’t the norm everywhere. In some parts of the world, water is a commodity. It’s that sentiment, specifically within communities of color, that Jairus Morris set out to change when he founded the brand SUPLMNT. Growing up in South Philly, and eventually Jersey for high school, he admits that drinking water wasn’t even reinforced in his own household, and as he’s grown older, he’s had to watch those around him get sick and deal with different health issues. That’s when it hit him. 

“I was like, Man I’m not trying to grow up and live like that,” he says over Zoom. “It’s like a term that you always hear, like, Oh, this runs in my family. And I realized that I mean, it’s, it’s really not true. It’s really the bad habits that we get passed down. Where we’re putting a bunch of sugar in your juice and drinking Kool Aid and never drinking water, or over salting your food and only eating fried stuff. Those different things are what get passed down. So from there, I really wanted to make a change.” 

Flash forward to 2018 when Morris decided he wanted to start his own business that was “vision-focused and could impact the culture.” That’s when he stumbled upon the highly-profitable market of selling insulated water bottles—except, there was one problem: he wasn’t seeing anyone at the time marketing towards a demographic that looked like him. “[People of color] are not marketed to because we’re not really seen as the people that do outdoorsy things. Water bottles were kind of created for being outdoors, being in the mountains. You need your stuff to stay cold or hot for a certain amount of time…. But in a way, we do go outside, we don’t [just] sit in the house. We commute, we go outside, play basketball, go to festivals, cookouts and different things.” 

That’s where SUPLMNT steps in. With a  mission to change the game in urban communities when it comes to hydration, the brand has created a product that’s more than just a water bottle. Inspired by Morris’ upbringing and love of sneaker culture, every aspect of a SUPLMNT water bottle reflects the brand’s ethos, Where Hydration Meets Culture. The rubber foot grip at the bottom of the bottle mimics the sole of a sneaker, while the loop is made from a shoestring. Then there’s the texture of the bottle—gritty and resilient, just like the community Morris grew up in—and the SUPLMNT logo, which symbolizes how hydration can not only bring the block together, but communities everywhere. 

SUPLMNT’s recent collaboration with SLAM is a merging of the elements—from basketball and sneaker culture to hydration, all while keeping that same mission at the top of mind. The SLAM x SUPLMNT water bottle is available now and comes in three different colorways, including an all-over print bottle with the SLAM logo, an all-black bottle with a vertical SLAM logo, and a laser-etched RESPECT THE GAME lockup. The 24 oz insulated bottles not only keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, and hot for 12 hours, but is meant to keep you looking even cooler with its sleek design and insulated functionality. Just like a pair of kicks, the SLAM x SUPLMNT collection can be rocked anywhere, and everywhere. 

“I feel as though we have the same audience,” Morris says of the collab with SLAM. “A lot of NBA players and basketball players kind of resonate with that same exact story that I [mentioned] earlier, with growing up in the same kind of environment [and] not having those resources or people telling them about health and wellness or even drinking water… SLAM is basketball and sneaker culture, and it just made sense [to collab]. It’s like the dots connecting. Us creating together and coming up with the design, everything just worked.” 

Looking ahead at the future, Morris envisions the brand evolving into the definitive water bottle for the culture. That includes raising awareness and spreading their message—Morris even mentions wanting to create a fund to give back, while also building hydration stations and hosting giveaways within urban communities.

Just as the game has the ability to unite, SUPLMNT is doing so, too, with health and hydration at the forefront. Now, that’s a mission for the culture. Respect. 

Shop the SLAM x SUPLMNT Water Bottle Collection here. 

The post SLAM Collabs with SUPLMNT on Exclusive Water Bottle Collection That’s For the Culture appeared first on SLAM.

These are words from the legendary Wilt Chamberlain as he described what the iconic the Harlem Globetrotters truly meant to not only him, but people of color around the world as one of the first all-Black professional teams in America since the 1920s.

Now, almost a century later, the Harlem Globetrotters’ legacy is being immortalized through an exclusive capsule collection by modern streetwear company UNDRCRWN. The line captures the Globetrotters’ heritage and importance throughout basketball history and is inspired by the classic Globetrotter designs from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.

Creative director Kari Cruz is the visionary behind UNDRCRWN’s latest unisex/neutral collection. For Cruz, it’s critical to not only celebrate the accomplishments of women and trailblazers in sports, but to build upon that legacy.

Intertwining Cruz’s background in streetwear with her love for the game, the collection features the “Lynette” fleece sweatsuit dedicated to Lynette Woodard, who joined the squad in 1985 and became the first female to play on a men’s professional team. Woodard was a four time all-American at the University of Kansas and went on to win a gold medal at the 1984 Olympic games with Team USA.

“I am truly honored to represent women in sports and design with this collection,” Cruz says. “The Globetrotters have always innovated. It’s an iconic team who set out to break racial and gender barriers. And I’m grateful to build upon the legacy of the brand and tell women’s stories, like Lynette’s, in the process.”

The collection also features “World Famous” and “Globetrotter” tees that pay homage to some of the team’s original vintage posters and game programs.

The collection is available exclusively on UNDRCRWN.com. Shop here.

The post UNDRCRWN x Globetrotters Capsule Collection Honors the Legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters appeared first on SLAM.

19nine dove deep into the archives to bring back some college basketball classics for their latest ensemble, the 19nine Legacy Collection, which features four retro pairs of Michigan, UConn, Syracuse and Cincinnati 19nine Legacy shorts. Each pair is expertly crafted with the original materials and designs from when they first debuted in the 90s and early 2000s, while also maintaining the comfort and premium finishes that 19nine is known for.

“The Legacy Collection is our take on some of the greatest college basketball shorts of all time,” says 19nine VP and co-owner Josh Barnett. “Two of the four have a direct tie to New Orleans, home to this year’s Final Four and the other two are some of our favorite shorts of all time. With the Legacy Collection we wanted to challenge ourselves to produce a product that looks and feels like it’s from the era it represents in the premium 19nine way. Stitched piping, embroidered logos, no pockets. Straight old school. We hope you love them as much as we loved bringing them back to life.” 

The collection, which will be available April 1, captures all of the nostalgia and history that was made throughout each team’s NCAA tournament appearance, including the iconic shorts worn by the Fab 5 during Michigan’s Final Four run back in New Orleans back in 1993 (if you know, you know that the Fab 5 weren’t just certified-buckets, but major trendsetters).

The 19nine Legacy Collection also captures the magic of Cincinnati’s Elite Eight run in 1996, where they eventually lost to Mississippi State, as well as UConn’s first-ever championship title win in 1999. Richard Hamilton, who won Final Four Most Outstanding Player, rocked these shorts as he cut down the net for the first time. Now you can, too.

The final pair in the collection pays homage to the Syracuse Orange, led by then-freshman Carmelo Anthony, when they won the first title in school history in 2003. Legendary.

The 19nine Legacy Collection drops this Friday on SLAMgoods at 3pm ET. Stay tuned.

The post 19nine Brings Back Iconic Retro College Basketball Shorts in ‘Legacy Collection’ appeared first on SLAM.

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The post Protected: Crocs x SLAM: Day in the Life Video Series appeared first on SLAM.

An extension of the ’80s Hoya paranoia and Jerry Tarkanian’s UNLV teams, The Fab Five seamlessly stitched their high-flying playground style into the mainstream fabric of collegiate basketball.

In honor of their revolutionary, flashy playmaking and exuberant celebrations that shook the basketball world, 19nine is debuting their new line of collegiate retro basketball shorts with the 1991-92 and 1992-93 Michigan Wolverine teams.

’91-92 Michigan “Fab Five” Shorts by 19nine are AVAILABLE NOW!

Since 2011, 19nine has been capturing the emotions, essence and nostalgia of America’s favorite college teams. Now, they’re adding one of the most controversial and entertaining squads in history to their ever-growing throwback collegiate apparel line.

The phrase “shock the world” was uttered regularly during the 1991-92 season that saw the five freshmen lead Michigan to a 24-9 record and No. 15 national ranking. As a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, the Wolverines sent No. 1 seeded Big Ten champs and rivals Ohio State packing back to Columbus, advancing to the Final Four. The five freshmen culminated their first captivating season in a matchup with Duke, donning their classic solid navy uniforms, with the Michigan M dangling brightly in maize just above their knees.

The Final Four was filled to the brim with talent: senior star forward Christian Laettner and heady junior Bobby Hurley, the sensational Grant Hill, Bob Knight’s Hoosiers and Cincinnati’s feisty guard Nick Van Exel. Yet the all-freshman starting five were all anyone wanted to talk about.

After losing to Duke in the national championship the previous year, the Fab Five returned on a mission, resulting in a 26-4 regular-season record and a No. 1 seed in the 1993 NCAA tournament. The bright maize shorts from the ’93 season elicit a unique flurry of emotions and nostalgia for hoop fans, including the final 19 seconds of the game against North Carolina that saw Chris Webber call the infamous timeout.

What ended in heartbreak has been memorialized as one of the greatest basketball teams of all time; a team that was bigger than basketball. Fueled by the freshmens’ attitude and swagger on the court, the latest drop by 19nine captures the hype, greatness and excitement that surrounded the Fab Five.

The ’91-92 Michigan “Fab Five” Shorts by 19nine are available now on SLAMgoods.com. Shop here.

Action photos via Getty Images.

[Correction: The original version of this article read, “In February of ’91.” The 1991-92 NCAA regular season started in December.]

The post The ’91-92 Michigan “Fab Five” Shorts by 19nine are AVAILABLE NOW! appeared first on SLAM.

Note: Check back frequently for updates and additions to this list.

SLAM’s Holiday 2020 Collection

Browse our holiday apparel, which includes Gameday and Varsity shorts, Empire and Script hoodies, and sweats. We also have dozens of tees, hoodies, sweats, and jackets on sale for a limited time.

NBA Store

The NBA’s official online store has some steep sitewide discounts on the dates designated below. Also, there’s free shipping for select items.

• Thru Dec. 31: Click here for 15% off sitewide with code NBASLAM15.

Stadium Goods

Peep all of the sale items on Stadium Goods by clicking here. The Nike Dunk High SP “Michigan” sneakers are discounted for a limited time.

Nike

Also, get up to 40% off on select products at Nike.com by clicking here to browse the sale items. The Nike Air Max 270 React is one of the sneakers on sale. This is valid through Dec. 19.

Goat

Check out one of the world’s biggest style platforms. Here are all of the winter sale items available for a limited time. Also, they got the Air Jordan 11 Retro ‘Jubilee / 25th Anniversary’ sneaker available.

The post SLAM’s Holiday Shopping Guide appeared first on SLAM.

Check out our top picks below and enjoy the savings on premium gear for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Note: Check back frequently for updates and additions to this list.

SLAM’s Holiday 2020 Collection

We got our own Black Friday items for sale. Also, browse our holiday apparel, which includes Gameday and Varsity shorts, hoodies, and sweats. We also have dozens of tees, hoodies, sweats, and jackets on sale for a limited time.

NBA Store

The NBA’s official online store has some steep sitewide discounts on the dates designated below.

• Thru Dec. 31: Click here for 15% off sitewide with code NBASLAM15

Reebok

Reebok has several sitewide discounts through Dec. 2. See below for the complete rundown with links. Also, check out these NBA City Edition jerseys.

• Nov. 30 – Dec. 2: 50% Off Sitewide + Extra 10% Off By Clicking Here!

Stadium Goods

Click here for 15% off on Black Friday. Also, peep all of the sale items on Stadium Goods by clicking here. 

Nike

Nike’s got a Cyber Flash Sale. Click here for an extra 25% off new sale styles with code CYBER25. This is valid thru Dec. 1.

Also, get up to 40% off on select products at Nike.com by clicking here to browse the sale items. This is valid through Nov. 30.

Goat

Check out one of the world’s biggest style platforms. Visit Goat.com/blackfriday for all of the specials on sneakers and apparel. Also, here are all of the winter sale items available for a limited time.

The post SLAM’s Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals appeared first on SLAM.

At midnight, the college hoops nostalgia brand released 11 pairs of school-specific retro mesh practice shorts in limited quantities on 19nine.com.

True to the brand’s retro roots, a glow-in-the-dark Midnight Madness t-shirt is also available. The first 75 orders receive a free sticker pack, so head to 19nine.com while supplies last!

The post 19nine Releases Limited-Edition Retro Shorts for Midnight Madness appeared first on SLAM.

The first t-shirt UNDRCRWN ever created was featured in an issue of SLAM. It was an Allen Iverson flip with the words “Thug Lif3” printed in the same font as the Sixers logo. UNDRCRWN only made about 40 of them, unsure of how they’d sell. After all, there was little precedent for their unique approach to the industry.

“We entered this without any rules. The genre didn’t exist,” says Media and Marketing Director Kari Cruz, who’s been instrumental in shaping the look and feel of the lifestyle brand for over a decade. “People would look at basketball and kind of judge it as performance wear only. They didn’t understand that you could create products that came out of the culture that didn’t have to be a line or designed to play in. We’ve always said that there are more people in the stands [than on the court]. We as a community just wanted to storytell and highlight moments that have impacted our lives.”

UNDRCRWN was established in 2005 by Dustin Canalin, an artist and creative designer with experience working alongside top brands. At the time, there were few other businesses in the space trying to mesh sports and culture in an authentic, in-your-face way. Canalin set out to do in the fashion world what SLAM was doing in the editorial world. And, with the help of people like Cruz, he’s succeeded.

“We wanted to address it in a way that talked about sneakers, the fashion that people wore, and really kind of rode in on the hiatus of streetwear,” explains Canalin. “We basically just didn’t want to do what other people were doing. There was so much fan wear out there, and we were, like, bigger than fans. I think that’s what was cool about SLAM. Allen Iverson’s tattoos were more the story than him scoring 30 points. We cared about the innate details that only the true heads would know.”

With that vision in mind, UNDRCRWN began crafting apparel that spoke to and referenced way more than the game itself: A tee with the famous Vince Carter dunk from the Olympics printed across the front, except instead of VC, it’s President Barack Obama; another with the members of NWA rocking custom Lakers uniforms; one with Biggie in a colorful East All-Star jersey next to lyrics from “Things Done Changed.” The list of their legendary pieces goes on and on.

UNDRCRWN’s vibe has always been similar to SLAM’s, leading the two to combine forces on several occasions. Now, with @SLAMGoods off and running, comes their biggest collaboration yet: an exclusive new line, celebrating the premier issue of the magazine and basketball’s ever-growing impact worldwide.

“Coming up with the idea for the collaboration, we really wanted to unify both brands,” says Cruz. “We have always seen SLAM as an authority, as our basketball bible. It was these pages that helped shape conversations and helped educate us and give us a point of reference. We wanted to take the actual pages of the magazine and take visuals and combine them in a way where it created these large scale collages that illustrate what motivates and inspires us, and how SLAM has been part of our life for as long as we can remember.”

Check out some images of the drop below:

Going forward, the iconic UNDRCRWN will maintain the same core identity while also evolving to what’s become the norm.

“I think there’s a lot of SLAM in UNDRCRWN and a lot of UNDRCRWN in SLAM,” Canalin says. “There are so many people doing what we both were doing ten years ago that [now] you have to do what other people aren’t doing.”

That was the goal for this latest project with SLAM and for perhaps more down the road.

“I hope that this sparks some memories for some of our older fans and some new fans—people that have always wanted to see a marriage between SLAM and UNDRCRWN,” adds Cruz. “I would love to see it keep going.”

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CLICK HERE TO SHOP THE SLAM x UNDRCRWN COLLECTION

The post SLAM x UNDRCRWN Collaborate On New Collection appeared first on SLAM.

Mitchell & Ness’ collaboration with SLAM (cover merch) is showcased in the shop, as well as joint projects with Dr. Woo, Greg Lucci, Blends, Sports Illustrated, Topps and Just Don.

“Fred Segal is a Los Angeles landmark I’ve loyally shopped for years. We are thrilled to partner with such an iconic destination. Our Mitchell & Ness pop-up will feature authentic product collections and premium, limited collaborations—all through the lens of local, legendary sports teams,” said Kevin Wulff, CEO of Mitchell & Ness, via the press release.

“It is rare that a brand maintains such a high level of authenticity, quality and craftsmanship for over a century; let alone in the ever evolving sports arena. Mitchell & Ness exemplifies just that,” said Brian Nyilas, Vice President of men’s merchandising at Fred Segal, per the release. “Sharing the same strive for excellence and innovation, we jumped at the idea of collaborating and hosting such a thoughtfully curated world in our world that pays homage to our rich sports history and the lifestyle it has spawned.”

VISIT SLAMGOODS.COM FOR MORE MERCH

Images via Mitchell & Ness.

The post Mitchell & Ness x Fred Segal Launch New Pop-up Featuring SLAM Merch appeared first on SLAM.

Designed for female athletes around the world, the apparel line keeps three major factors at the forefront: authenticity, empowerment and fit.

“We really wanted this line to resonate, not just with elite athletes, but with those who just love the game,” shared Mistie Boyd, Nike Basketball’s women’s apparel manager and former WNBA Champion, with SLAM.

With softer fabrics, more dimensionally form-fitting designs, and patterns especially picked through a storytelling lens, Swoosh Fly is meant to empower HER, on and off the court. Female hoopers haven’t had a section of their own for athletic gear, but Swoosh Fly changes all of that.

“You need to have that one piece of apparel that fits you just right. Swoosh Fly is that, but in an entire collection. And it’s so authentic that players like Mistie are helping move this gear forward,” said Diana Taurasi, via Nike’s press release about the apparel line.

The line features a wide-range of products, from their Swoosh Fly mesh penny and shorts, to off-court sets of hoodies and sweats. Through feedback from pros and women of all ages in the basketball community around the world, Swoosh Fly apparel is truly built for the female athlete body.

“We have never really served ‘her’ in the way that ‘she’ has asked us. We’ve tried to serve her in the way what we believe we should, but it’s different when you’re listening to her voice. When you look at this line, you’ve got so many different body types, and it fits each and every one of them,” Boyd told SLAM. 

Swoosh Fly apparel hits stores and Nike.com on July 10.

—

Camille Buxeda is a Social Editor at SLAM. Follow her on twitter @CamilleBuxeda.

The post Nike Announces New ‘Swoosh Fly’ Apparel Line For Women 💧 appeared first on SLAM.

Miller runs Ballher Athletic Apparel, a clothing brand for female athletes, out of Alliance, OH. Created in 2006, Ballher—pronounced “baller,” with the letter “H” meant to highlight the female athlete—provides girls high school sports teams and AAU girls basketball teams across Ohio with custom jerseys, t-shirts and more. With an emphasis on supporting female athletes at a young age, Miller wants to ensure that they feel valued and respected as players.

In 2006, Miller was working as the girls’ basketball head coach at Marlington (OH) High, and he noticed that many of his players would not have their own gear—they’d often wear oversized hand-me-downs from an older brother or relative. A lightbulb went off in the coach’s mind.

“Girls need something that they can identify that’s all their own,” he said. “So I started looking around—AND1 was popular, that was a guy’s logo. And then you had LeBron’s logo, another guy. All these brands are mostly silhouettes of men and so I was like, Why can’t there be a girl’s version, a girl’s brand that speaks to them on their own level?”

That year, Ballher was born. While the mission began as a way to get more girls to play basketball and to feel confident on the court, Miller and his team now also supply gear for girls’ volleyball, softball and soccer programs.

This past summer, Ballher got an assist from Tamika Catchings, former Indiana Fever forward, WNBA champion and current general manager for the Fever. In June, Catchings signed a three-year endorsement deal with Ballher. Since then, she wore custom shorts from the company during her stint on American Ninja Warrior, joined Miller to surprise a local Ohio girls’ basketball team with new uniforms and formed a partnership between her Catch the Stars Foundation and Ballher.

“Being a young female athlete myself once upon a time, not really having products that were designed and made specially for me,” the newly inducted Hall of Famer said. “I think that his mission is just really cool and one that’s become dear to my heart.”

Catchings and Miller met in 2008 at one of the former Marlington coach’s basketball skills camps. In the years that followed, the two started to work together through Catchings’ youth fitness-focused foundation, and Ballher has created t-shirts for her camps and other events. Once Catchings’ player-endorsement deal with Nike ended, Miller and Ballher saw the opportunity for the two to work together once more.

“What Ballher’s been able to do is they’ve found their niche in an area that hasn’t been as solidified in the past,” Catchings said. “I think [Miller has] done a great job with his products, his design and his creativity of being able to serve a demographic on the local level.”

While athletic apparel behemoths like Nike and adidas have global recognition and a war chest of resources, Ballher hopes to tap into its local roots by building connections with the teams it outfits and designing custom apparel that fits their history and personality.

With the coronavirus pandemic shuttering businesses across the country for an extended period of time, Ballher has been forced to pause production. Last month, a local girls basketball team outfitted in Ballher apparel was warming up for their semifinal game when, minutes before tipoff, the event was shut down and everyone was sent home. Along with school closures, all of the AAU teams that Ballher equips have stopped playing.

In the interim, Miller has started a challenge on social media to raise money for local food banks in Ohio. The campaign, #MakeMyShotChallenge, encourages kids and adults across the country to record themselves making a basketball trickshot and then post it on social media with the hashtag, tagging a few friends. If the tagged friends don’t respond with their own video of the same trick shot within 24 hours, they must donate money. Ballher has a link on its website to donate, and 100 percent of the proceeds raised will be donated to a local food pantry.

Across the world, almost every sports league has been suspended until it is safe to resume play. But many, including Miller, worry about what this means for the future of women’s sports—especially in the US, where the WNBA, in particular, was making strides and growing in stature.

“I feel like the men are going to rebound no matter what,” Miller said. “I feel like the media is always ready to just jump in that circle because it’s what they’re familiar with and it’s what they know. And so I think it’s really up to people on social media to keep it going because without that, [the media is] always going to chase the dollar.”

“So many companies are losing so much money that they’re going to be very quick to jump into old habits. It’s going to take a very conscious effort to pick up the ball where it was dropped and continue that for women’s sports.”

—

Bela Kirpalani is a contributor at SLAM. Follow her on Twitter @belakirpalani.

The post Ballher Athletic Apparel Wants You to Bet on Girls appeared first on SLAM.

For Luke Tadashi, the pages of SLAM are where his love for basketball grew beyond just the sport itself.

“[SLAM] was the first place where I connected the dots between basketball having a greater impact beyond just being a sport, but affecting culture and touching people’s lives,” he says. “Design, fashion, music. All of these different aspects of culture being weaved together but through the lens of basketball.”

When Tadashi’s college basketball career at Kenyon College (OH) came to an end, he needed a way to stay connected to the game he loved. He moved back to his hometown of L.A. and started Bristol Studio, a high-end clothing brand that’s artistically influenced by Tadashi’s basketball fandom in the late ’90s and early ’00s.

To celebrate SLAM’s 25th anniversary, the two brands collaborated on a limited drop featuring a t-shirt, denim jacket and basketball shorts.

The t-shirt and shorts were inspired by the color palette from Allen Iversons’s famous “Soul on Ice” cover and feature SLAM 25th anniversary branding. The basketball shorts specifically were a point of emphasis for Tadashi in the collaboration.

“The cornerstone of the sport and of the culture is the basketball short,” he says. “We put a really heavy 2-by-1 waistband on it which is my homage to the older basketball shorts of the past.”

The denim jacket is unique because of its throwback fit and details. It features patches with various phrases from old SLAM covers and has a baggy fit and contrast stitching, traditional with the way denim was worn in the era Tadashi grew up watching basketball.

“Denim was worn in such a way, it was like these guys’ body armor or something. It was like a bullet-proof vest. It was so big and enclosed them. I remember flipping through the pages as a kid and seeing that and being like, ‘If you wear that, you can take on anything. You’re ready to conquer the world in that.’

“It’s supposed to fit you baggy and oversized. At the same time, it’s done in really high-end Japanese denim,” Tadashi continues. “We have Swiss-made Riri zippers, which are like the Rolls Royce of zippers. You have this juxtaposition of high-end materials with this baggier cut that you wouldn’t associate with that fabrication.”

The pieces will be available at shop.slamonline.com and bristol-studio.com in January, retailing from $65-$195.

Since Day One

London Perrantes, the winningest player in university of Virginia men’s basketball history, returned to his roots to help SLAM & Bristol studio with their new collab.

London Perrantes’ game has a different kind of flavor.

There’s grit—the kind he gained from playing up with the “big kids” at the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club. There’s an element of smoothness mixed in, an attribute he developed playing under the Southern California sunshine and palm trees at the asphalt courts at Venice Beach.

Basketball has taken Perrantes, who most recently played for the Portland Trail Blazers, from the courts of Santa Monica to venues across the globe. No matter the location or the stakes, though, Perrantes always brings his game and an intense, fiery desire to win.

The flow of his game and the attitude he brings to the court made Perrantes the winningest player in University of Virginia men’s basketball history.

When Perrantes received a call from Luke Tadashi to come back to California to shoot the upcoming SLAM x Bristol Studio collab, it was a “full-circle moment.”

When Tadashi said he wanted to shoot at the same court where they initially met, Perrantes was instantly in.

“I grew up four blocks away from the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Club,” Perrantes says. “For me, going back to that area brings back memories of when I started to really love basketball.”

Bristol Studio, specifically its collaboration with SLAM, represents Perrantes’ “true colors”—a mix of old-school attitude mixed with the glam of Los Angeles.

“[Players are] showing their true colors outside of the basketball court, because on a basketball court you gotta wear a uniform,” Perrantes says. “Having that freedom outside of the court is huge.”

—

Ian Pierno is the Drip Director on SLAM. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram

Photos by Cameron Look

The post Bristol Studios x SLAM Collection is LIVE❗ appeared first on SLAM.

Christian Laettner’s indelible turnaround, game-winning shot. Tyus Edney going coast-to-coast for the win. A jubilant Jimmy V running around the court searching for someone to hug. Magic and Bird squaring off for first time in the ’79 title game, ushering in March Madness as we know it today. 

Oh, and don’t forget about the iconic unis and shorts, which evoke instant nostalgia and connect us back to the fond moments of yesteryear. Those shorts—and the memories they trigger—are now available in the marketplace. 

Meet 19nine, the world’s only throwback college basketball apparel company, aptly located in basketball’s Heartland of Indiana. Founded by Josh Barnett, Aaron Loomer and Chad Amo in 2011, 19nine—a nod to the old distance for the college three-point line—focuses on recreating retro shorts and vintage t-shirts that celebrate college basketball history and the players and teams we love.

“What we have found is people don’t really buy a shirt or pair of shorts,” Barnett told SLAM. “What they are buying is the story. The better the story, the better the response to a product. Nostalgia plays a huge part in what we try to do.”

19nine currently has licenses with 22 universities—including Indiana, Purdue, St. John’s, Wake Forest, Xavier, UNLV and Bird and Magic’s alma maters of Michigan State and Indiana State, respectively—with two more schools coming on board this March, dropping the moment brackets are revealed on Selection Sunday. 

How fitting, especially for a company hyper-focused on marrying quality feel and timeless authenticity. 

“It was extremely important for us to bring the vintage feel of the ’80s and ’90s to our shorts,” Barnett remarked. “Our mesh-poly blend to give the shorts the heavy feel of yesteryear but with a smooth inside lining for the comfort of today.”

Barnett and company take their mission—capturing the emotion, essence and look of theirs schools’ most memorable teams of the past—very seriously. 

“In a sense, we view ourselves as the curators of college basketball history and we tell that story through apparel. We don’t want to let these players, teams, coaches, moments go un-celebrated,” Barnett said.

With the calendar getting ready to flip toward the onset of Madness, 19nine will be busy watching games, shipping product and executing toward their greater vision of becoming a licensed vendor of all Power-5 Conference teams. 

“Every school has a great story to tell and we’d love to be the ones tasked with doing so,” he said. “I think it’s literally impossible to run out of college basketball stories to tell but until we do, there’s work left to do.”

The post 19nine Brings Back College Nostalgia with Retro Apparel appeared first on SLAM.

Levi’s® has your next look covered with their recently expanded NBA collection, which now includes gear for nine of the League’s marquee franchises: the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls.

With two of those teams in the Finals, it’s time to cop your merch ASAP.

Apparel ranges from plaid t-shirts with subtle NBA logos to denim trucker jackets to crewnecks and more. All options are available for both men and women.

In establishing the collab, Levi’s® hoped to facilitate team spirit without sacrificing style. The line also allows passionate basketball fans to support their teams with a more casual look, not just built for game days.

And as Levi’s® President James Curleigh stressed following the creation of the collection, fashion is an important aspect of NBA culture. Just ask Russell Westbrook or LeBron James, or peep SLAM’s new Instagram account, League Fits.

“The style of the NBA, whether exhibited through players or fans, is anchored by self-expression,” Curleigh said. “As a brand that has a passion for personal style and individualism, we knew this collection would be the perfect fit.”

You can shop the collection at Levi.com/nba, Levi’s® stores, and NBA team retail locations.

The post Rep Your Squad With Levi’s® NBA Collection 🔥 appeared first on SLAM.

“I love storytelling using different ideas and fabrics in new ways,” Westbrook says via press release. “I’m always trying to figure out how I can change the culture or push the brand in new directions.”

“My friends and I created ‘Why Not?’ all the way back in high school,” the reigning MVP says. “It’s a mantra I live by. On and off the court, if I have a challenge, I run at it, not away from it.

“My mom is my style icon,” Westbrook says. “She always kept my brother, my dad, and me fresh and up to par. She would buy me and my brother whatever was new, that we could afford, including twin outfits. I can always call to ask her opinion on things. She was always swagged out and has the best sense of style, to this day.”

The “Why Not” collection is currently available for preorder on Nike.com.

h/t Jordan Brand

The post Russell Westbrook, Jordan Brand Unveils ‘Why Not’ Apparel Collection appeared first on SLAM.

The squad socks are built to replicate jersey materials while the “sketchbook” joints are based off hand-illustrated art.

Both the jersey and the “sketchbook” socks are available now for $18 each. Scroll through the gallery above to get an up close look at the collection.

Photos courtesy of Stance

The post Stance Creates Collection of Player and Jersey Socks appeared first on SLAM.

As the wild holiday shopping starts to kick off, Eastbay’s releasing ten items, including sneakers, shirts, shorts and hoodies, that cover different types of style and some of the best players currently getting buckets. Check out the SLAM x Eastbay Holiday ’17 Gift Guide countdown, starting with the Jordan Spiz’ike.

10. Jordan Spiz’ike, $140

Spike Lee’s silhouette, a mashup of the Jordan III, IV, V and VI, returns in a black/red/green colorway. The Spiz’ike originally released in 2006, as a tribute to Lee’s contributions with Jordan Brand. He appeared in commercials with Michael Jordan, as the character, Mars Blackmon. He was a trash-talking fan that had to ask, “Is it the shoes?”

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9. Jordan XI Reversible Shorts, $55

DriFit and mesh combine with the iconic design of the Air Jordan XI.

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8. Jordan XI Hoodie, $85

The iconic Air Jordan XI logo pops on this fleece hoodie.

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7. Air Jordan XXXII “Bred,” $185

Jordan Brand built the XXXII using a brand new Nike FlyKnit pattern. The sneaker’s design was inspired by the Air Jordan II, the only Jordan Brand sneaker to be manufactured in Italy. The Brand unveiled the XXXII in Italy, to honor the II. But this new version’s technology is lightyears ahead. It features dual Zoom Air units, hits of leather and suede and the aforementioned FlyKnit, making its debut on a Jordan Brand basketball model. 

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6. Nike Kyrie 3 “Tuxedo,” $120

Kyrie’s third sneaker can be used for breaking necks on the street or breaking ankles on the court. The silhouette was created for Irving’s incredible change-of-pace play. It has a rounded medial outsole and it makes use of two pods on the outsole to assist with grip. 

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5. “Like Mike” Jordan Hoodie, $85

Jordan Brand teamed up with Gatorade to honor MJ’s legendary “Like Mike” commercial.

4. Under Armour Curry 4, $130

Stephen Curry asked his design team at Under Armour to cook up something special for his fourth signature sneaker. He wanted a silhouette that felt like it was part of his feet. UA created a sock-like, knit upper that sits on a top of a brand new midsole cushioning. They’re keeping colorways simple and clean, too, delivering Curry’s best model yet. 

3. adidas Dame 4, $115

The Dame 4 marks a turning point in Damian Lillard’s signature line. Adidas reworked the BOUNCE midsole to provide a close-to-the-court ride. The sneaker’s mesh upper is complemented by a hybrid 5/8s cut that makes the 4 Lillard’s most fiya sneaker. 

2. Nike LeBron 15, $185

BattleKnit makes its debut with the Nike LeBron 15. The Swoosh updated their FlyKnit material to make it strong enough to keep up with King James on a nightly basis. They also created an updated Max Air cushioning that makes the 15 feel like a trampoline. 

1. Jordan XI Shirt, $35

Mike wore the “Concord” Air Jordan XI on his way to a then-record 72 wins in the ’95-’96 season. Jordan Brand shows that legendary sneaker love by throwing it on this cotton t-shirt. 

Photos courtesy of Eastbay

The post SLAM x Eastbay Holiday ’17 Gift Guide appeared first on SLAM.

The new Nike NBA G League uniforms were created with special attention to enabling agility and range of motion while also paying tribute to the NBA parent teams.

 

The most significant design advancements are to the scapula line of the jerseys where Nike designers altered the construction for a vastly improved fit. Additionally, the hemlines on the bottom of the shorts were modified to allow for greater range of motion.

 

Visible updates to the uniforms also include:

 

The addition of the NBA G League logo on the left chest and back neckline of the jerseys as well as the right hip of the shorts.

 

Team-colored neck trim and side inserts that highlight the unique identities of each NBA G League team.

 

To further the connection between NBA teams and their NBA G League affiliates, Nike incorporated the following elements:

 

Player name and number fonts from the NBA parent teams, with the shorts also featuring the NBA team’s logo on the left side of the shorts – opposite the NBA G League team logo positioned on the right short insert.

The uniforms go on sale in November at NBAGLeagueStore.com for $70.

Video courtesy of NBA

The post G-League Unveils Official Nike Uniforms for Upcoming Season appeared first on SLAM.

They’ve unveiled three (of four in total) jersey designs for each team–the Icon, the Association and the Statement. The Association is essentially the home jersey, which is made up of white, while the Icon is made up of each organization’s dominant color–the away getup. The Statement, Nike says, “is inspired by the team’s desire to make a bold statement every time they step on the court.”

The Swoosh’s new gear went on sale today across the board. Scroll through the gallery above to see everyone from Paul George to LeBron James to Elfrid Payton to Jayson Tatum rocking the new Nike x NBA jerseys.

The world is yours, the world is yours. pic.twitter.com/YFe0209BSL

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) September 29, 2017

Related
NBA x Nike Unveil New Jerseys, Official Apparel Collection in LA
See All 30 NBA x Nike ‘Statement’ Jerseys
Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for 2017-18 Season

Photos courtesy of Nike

The post Paul George, LeBron James, Kevin Durant Preview the Nike x NBA Jerseys appeared first on SLAM.

The shirts, which will run for $45 each, have an iconic image of some of the game’s best players. Run through the gallery above to see the threads that feature LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Blake Griffin and Kristaps Porzingis.

Related
NBA x Nike Unveil New Jerseys, Official Apparel Collection in LA
See All 30 NBA x Nike ‘Statement’ Jerseys
Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for 2017-18 Season

h/t J23App

The post Nike to Release Shirts Featuring LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and More appeared first on SLAM.

“I know in my first look at basketball on TV, I saw my favorite players wearing Chuck Taylors,” Julius “Dr. J” Erving says via press release. “That was the shoe to get. When you see people who you admire, people who you idolize, you look at them from head to toe…what they have on their feet is big.”

To honor the deep bond between the old partners, Converse is releasing the NBA Chuck Taylor All Star 70 collection, made up of three styles.

Dubbed the “Gameday,” the “Legend” and the “Franchise,” the kicks pay tribute to fans and their teams alike. Five of the most storied franchises get a “Legend” makeup. For the Celtics version, an embossed “17” in Roman numerals gives props to the franchise’s historic title count. The Bulls sneaker pays homage to Chicago fans who brave Windy City winters with an interior lining. The “Gameday” joints are made with authentic NBA jersey material, while the “Legend” versions get the premium leather treatment. Rounding out the trio is the “Franchise,” which is made out of swingman jerseys.

Ranging in prices from $100 to $250, the collaboration features other key team details like a “Once a Knick, Always a Knicks” design, chrome and silver accents to honor the lights of Hollywood, and Bay Bridge-inspired embroidery. All of the sneakers have EVA foam in the midsole to provide a nice cushioning. The finishing touch is the NBA logo that sits proudly on the inner tongue of each “Legend” colorway.

There’s also a Converse x Nike apparel collection coming that includes winterwool bomber jackets, hoodies, crewnecks, long sleeve tees and joggers.

The sneakers and apparel collection releases on September 29. Scroll through the gallery above to get a look.

Related
Nike x NBA Unveil New “Statement” Jerseys, Apparel Collection

Images via Nike

The post Converse x NBA Team Up for Sneaker, Apparel Collection appeared first on SLAM.

The “Statement” jersey is inspired by each squad’s decision to “make bold statements” with their designs.

Run through the gallery above to see players from every team showing off the new jerseys.

Related
NBA x Nike Take Over LA, Unveil New Jerseys, Official Apparel

Pictures courtesy of Nike

The post See All 30 NBA x Nike ‘Statement’ Jerseys appeared first on SLAM.

The “Statement” jersey, Nike says, is “inspired by the team’s desire to make a bold statement every time they step on the court.”

In addition to revealing the “Statement” threads, the League’s new on-court socks were introduced. Because different players like different sock styles, and because different players also have different playing styles, Nike’s created two new socks. The NikeGrip Power Crew sock is super-cushioned and the NikeGrip Quick sock is lighter. Both are made with “ultrafine polyester fibers twisted with traditional fibers to increase the sock’s surface area,” according to press release.

“Socks are the first line of defense,” says Kobe Bryant via press release. “Your feet are the most important thing you bring to the game. You’ve got to take care of your feet.”

Kobe reportedly challenged the designers to create socks so strong that players could stop wearing two at the same time. Here’s more straight from Nike on the socks:

Kevin Durant, who is known for layering two pairs of socks out of a preference for maximum cushioning around his heels and ankles, had significant input for the super-cushioned NBA NikeGrip Power Crew sock. “I want a lot of cushioning,” Durant told the development team. “But I want to feel the court.”

 

Feeling the court is equally important to LeBron James, who pushed the designers to prioritize traction as much as cushioning, and to achieve an optimal level of compression and flexibility around the foot and ankle. “It’s important that I don’t slide in my shoes,” says James, whose input influenced the placement of NikeGrip on the NBA NikeGrip Quick and Power Crew socks. “I need traction for cutting and jumping.”

The designers responded with socks that are extra-cushioned in the heel, forefoot and ankle. NikeGrip technology pops up on the lateral side of the foot. The forefoot of the NBA NikeGrip Quick Crew sock “has Nike Forefoot Lock (two thin spandex bands that arch to support the foot and prevent the socks from bunching near the toes,” Nike says via press release. Both socks also feature a heel lock to reduce sliding.

Besides the official NBA shirts and shorts that Nike will release closer to the start of the season, they’ve built a brand new hoodie for warmups.

The fresh-out-the-oven Therma Flex material is the crown jewel of the hoodie.

“A typical fleece is fuzzy on the inside and flat on the outside, but we made this flat against the skin and super-soft on the outside,” says Kurt Parker, Nike VP of Apparel Design, via press release. “The outside has a dotted texture to it that traps body heat in the fabric, and it’s soft to the touch and smooth against the skin.”

The extra-stretchy Therma Flex material moves in concert with players. Side zippers allow for ventilation while elastic cuffs stop sleeves from falling over player’s hands while shooting or dribbling.

The mesh over the ears of the hood was created so that the wearer can hear teammates, coaches or buzzers during pregame and halftime and to avoid getting too hot with the hood up.

“We learned that most guys prefer to wear a hood up, but it impedes the way they can see and hear, it moves around and it can get really hot,” Parker says via press release.

The “Statement” uniform will be available November 20, the Quick and Power versions of the Nike and Jordan NBA NikeGrip Crew socks are available October 1 and fan versions of the Nike Therma Flex Showtime Warm-up Jacket will be available September 29.

Images courtesy of Nike

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The DLX backpacks offer a break from the normal, standard-sized, colorless backpacks with colorful designs and plenty of space. The Sprayground x NBA Lab bags range in price from $60-$90. Check out the photo gallery above to see KP and JR show off their backpacks.

https://youtu.be/aJaeqatZzWo

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Sprayground is Changing the Backpack Game

Photos courtesy of Sprayground. Grab your bag now. 

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He was one of the first pro hoopers to sign on with Sprayground, an innovative backpack company that allows him to show off all that style. Sprayground doesn’t make simple bags, they set out to make a backpack that reflects the wearer or the person that put their name on it. And they make each bag pop with loud colors, unique patterns and even side-panel wings.

Smith’s first backpack with Sprayground dropped last year. After that, Sprayground followed up by inking a partnership with NBA Lab that eventually produced bags that feature either the name or likeness of Kristaps Porzingis, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and LeBron James.

James’ sons have even been wearing the bags.

“It’s amazing to see the players have been rocking and supporting the brand since day one,” David Ben-David, Sprayground’s founder, says. “From Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Shaq to LeBron James’ kids.”

The James boys are around Smith and his backpacks pretty often. But even if Smith’s infectious style didn’t catch their eyes, Sprayground’s decision to stray from the boring design of standard backpacks would’ve drawn them in regardless.

Sprayground’s NBA-themed bags feature a modern update on iconic team logos. Their player backpacks rock with their personal name, number, name of the city they play in and their individual personalities. Porzingis, Harden and Westbrook, for example, have their own particular gear.

Smith followed up his debut backpack with one that proudly displays his last name and his number across the front. It’s accented by cartoon-style drawings on the side panels that tell the story of his life.

“Each bag is designed to tell the story of its city or player,” Ben-David says.

Sprayground’s NBA backpacks, available now, come in the DLX silhouette and range in price from $60-$90. Scroll through the gallery above to see pictures of the bags and peep the video below to see ‘em touring the East coast.

https://youtu.be/aJaeqatZzWo

Photos courtesy of Sprayground. Grab your bag now. 

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Other than the patch on the left shoulder and Nike swoosh on the right shoulder, both pairs of jerseys and shorts look very similar to what the Bucks were wearing last season. The Bucks’ Icon uniforms are in their traditional green with white letters/numbers and “Bucks” across the front while the Association uniforms are white with green letters/numbers and “Milwaukee” across the front.

A notable change is the elimination of the alternate M logo on the middle of the collar, which was present in both of Milwaukee’s standard uniforms for the 2016-17 season.

Check the gallery above to see all the angles of the Bucks’ new unis.

Related
Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for the 2017-18 Season

h/t Milwaukee Bucks

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Their Icon jerseys are blue with white letters and numbers and say “Minnesota,” under a white stripe. The top of the jersey features a lighter blue, with the swoosh and Fitbit patch sandwiched above the stripe. The Association jerseys are more or less the reverse, with a mostly white base, “Wolves” across the top and the lighter blue stripe/darker blue top.

Swipe through the gallery above to check out the newest threads.

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Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for the 2017-18 Season

h/t to Minnesota Timberwolves

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The ZNE Pulse hoodie was created by collecting data from athletes, specifically the moment when players leave the locker room and head to the field or court, which produces a spike in heart rate. The Pulse hoodie is crafted “with unique heartbeat knit in breathable merino wool.”

The Three Stripes worked to make a line of clothing that can seamlessly transition from the practice field to the street.

“Knitting techniques open a huge innovation area for how to create and construct sportswear at the highest level of comfort,” said Christina Schramm, Senior Design Director, via press release. “The use of functional and innovative yarns, the integration of open and dense structures and the construction of the garments without any seams provide huge functional advantages. This is combined with huge possibilities in terms of the combination of yarn colors, patterns, structures, surfaces and silhouettes – meaning athletes can look and perform great.”

James Harden, Damian Lillard, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Houston Astros Shortstop Carlos Correa, track athlete Tori Bowie, leading tennis players Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep, and TV host Rachel DeMita are among those at the forefront of the Athletics line.

Athletics continues to be a big source of innovation for adidas. Andrew Wiggins had a few Athletics jackets released earlier this year and the adizero Prime Parley sneaker, both a performance and lifestyle silhouette, dropped yesterday. James Harden had clothes accompany the release of his debut signature sneaker a few months after the Athletics line was introduced.

The ZNE Pulse Collection is available globally on August 31. Preorders begin on August 22 and products range in price from $110-$200.

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Andrew Wiggins, Joakim Noah on the Future of adidas
Best Sneakers of 2016-17: adidas Crazy Explosive

Photos courtesy of adidas

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The Note x The Swoosh

It’s in the details: https://t.co/N7gYFsC0Mj pic.twitter.com/yCqkkGrgwr

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) August 9, 2017

Utah’s jersey sponsor Qualtrics opted to promote 5 For The Fight instead of itself on the Jazz jerseys. 5 For The Fight is a charitable organization trying to raise money for cancer research through $5 donations, with the goal of raising $50 million. Learn more at 5forthefight.org.

Related
Chicago Bulls Unveil New Nike Uniforms
Cleveland Cavaliers Unveil New Nike Uniforms

h/t Utah Jazz Twitter

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The Nuggets changed their look significantly by moving away from the sky-blue color they have used for the past 14 years. The Icon jerseys are navy blue and the Association jerseys are white. Both will be used interchangeably for home and away games.

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Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for the Upcoming NBA Season

h/t Denver Nuggets

The post Denver Nuggets Unveil New Nike Uniforms appeared first on SLAM.

Swipe through the images above to see the details of Cleveland’s new Icon jerseys in wine, and Association jerseys in white. Both go on sale September 29.

RELATED:
Chicago Bulls Unveil New Nike Uniforms

Images via Cavs.com

The post Cleveland Cavaliers Unveil New Nike Uniforms appeared first on SLAM.

Swipe through the images above to see the details of Chicago’s new Icon jerseys in red, and Association jerseys in white. Both go on sale to the public September 29.

Both new uniforms will be on sale to the public beginning September 29 – stay tuned right here for more. pic.twitter.com/QkROOeOxK0

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 2, 2017

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Nike and the NBA Introduce Jerseys for the 2017-18 Season

h/t Chicago Bulls Twitter

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The lightweight threads are the result of a combination of player’s feedback and years of research throughout the collegiate and professional levels and a design team willing to shake up the League’s time-honored uniform makeup.

Nike began by updating their Aeroswift basketball chassis—the frame of the uniform—to move and react more fluidly with the players.

According to the Swoosh, most players usually make movements in bursts of 1.6 seconds that add up to an average of four miles traveled per game. With that in mind, Nike set out to create a uniform that was responsive, aiding players, rather than prohibiting them.

“The mental advantage of a quality uniform is priceless,” said Kyrie Irving, via press release. “The fact that Nike listened to all of our feedback while developing the new NBA uniforms speaks volumes, I’m excited for the new fit and feel.”

Nike used 3D-body maps of players to produce the new uniforms, as well as insight from players like Irving and Draymond Green, to update the fit, weight and construction of the in-game gear. They altered the back shoulder of the uniform to allow for more range of motion and switched up the hemlines on the bottom of the shorts and the jerseys. They also moved the armhole, neck and side seams for even more flow.

“When you look and feel good, you play good,” said Draymond Green, via press release. “I welcome any competitive advantage on the court and the new Nike NBA uniforms deliver on the feedback that we’ve provided.”

The jerseys are made of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester—each uniform is created with approximately 20 recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. Nike says the new blended uniforms wick sweat 30 percent faster than current NBA uniforms, which results in fabric that drys 15 percent more quickly than current NBA uniforms.

Nike packed the jerseys with all the technology they could, but they didn’t forget to make them look nice. The Swoosh’s new threads will usher the League into a era that eliminates the traditional “home” and “road” jerseys. For the first time in NBA history, home teams will be able to pick from any of their uniforms and the road team will choose accordingly. In short, those home squads don’t necessarily have to wear white at home anymore.

Each team now has four primary uniforms, which were inspired by each individual team’s heritage. The first two, the “Association” and the “Icon,” are being introduced right now and will be available for teams to start rocking as soon as the season starts.

The Association edition is the home jersey, which is made up of white, while the Icon, is made up of each squad’s main color.

Two more colors will be unveiled during the season, including the “Classic,” a colorway that plays on the team’s pasts.

A full line of Nike NBA performance and lifestyle apparel will also be dropping soon. On-court apparel, such as tights and socks, will be releasing, as the Swoosh will be taking over more than just the uniforms. Keep it locked for more.

Photos courtesy of Nike

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Starting tomorrow, 306 Yonge will permanently stay open as Canada’s first official Jordan Brand store. Here’s more straight from the Jumpman:

In addition to reco6nizing the Class of XXX1 and other members of the community for their pursuit of greatness, the grand opening will also include a series of high heat releases. The exclusive offerings available will be highlighted by customizable product and pairs of the Air Jordan IV, I, and VI to honor the 416. Not only will Yonge 306 be the source for the latest and greatest Jordan Brand products, it’ll also feature Centre 23. This space will serve as Canada’s training hub to prepare athletes with specialized sessions led by Jordan Brand trainers. From Breakfast Club workouts to barbershop services on Get Fresh Thursdays, Centre 23 will both reco6nize and push Toronto’s athletes.

The store opens at 6:23 tomorrow morning. Scroll through the gallery above to see a preview of the space.

Photos courtesy of Nike

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Under Armour’s giving those players a new colorway of the Curry 3ZER0, as well as new shirts, hats, jerseys and backpacks. This year marks UA’s first time as the official provider of Draft Combine gear and starting in Fall 2017, the Combine apparel will be available for purchase. When the collection goes on sale, UA will have another first, with their logo appearing on apparel with logos of all 30 NBA teams.

There will be select pieces of the collection available at the Under Armour Chicago Brand House until Sunday, May 14, when the Combine wraps up. UA’s new partnership with the League also includes:

Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour will team up with Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) and the Union League Boys & Girls Club to tip off Bridges Through Basketball program to improve the health and wellness of our shared communities in Chicago. Programming includes engagement with local youth in constructive conversation using basketball as the vehicle to positive change; kick-off event on Tuesday, May 9. The first Jr. NBA Youth Basketball Leadership Conference is on Friday, May 12 and will bring together coaches, administrators and other basketball leaders to discuss the state of youth basketball and how the game can be improved at the grassroots level. Speakers include: Mike Brey, Kenny Atkinson, Frank Martin, Fran Fraschilla, Swin Cash, Shane Battier and many more. NBA analyst Doug Collins and his son, Northwestern basketball coach Chris Collins, will also host an intimate Chalk Talk on Saturday May 13 at the Under Armour Chicago Brand House for media and select members of the public. The NBA FIT app recently introduced a new, NBA Draft Combine update – featuring exclusive training and testing content for fans to train like their favorite athletes

Photos courtesy of NBA

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Along with sending the shirts, they’re including a note that, in part, reads:

Jackie Robinson forever changed the sport of baseball, not only for his on-field contributions, but above all else his stand for equality. It is fitting we pay tribute to that ideal on this day that celebrates his life and #24. 

Read the full note and check out the shirts in the gallery above. Thanks, #42.

Images courtesy of Nike

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There was a precedent for that sort of thing, of course. Twice in the previous decade, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award had been shared by two players: Grant Hill and Jason Kidd in 1995, and Elton Brand and Steve Francis five years later. The award is decided by a media vote, so it’s not as if the League itself could just choose to split the award. But if ever there was a year it would’ve have made sense, 2003-04 was it.

Instead, the 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year award went to that kid from Akron, playing for his (almost) hometown Cavaliers. There was never any real argument that LeBron James didn’t deserve ROY that season; the argument was that Carmelo Anthony deserved it every bit as much. Even now, 13 years later, that argument holds up.

The No. 3 pick in the ’03 Draft (two spots behind his friend LeBron), Carmelo arrived in Denver with a championship pedigree and the hopes of a struggling franchise on his shoulders. As a freshman that spring, he’d led Syracuse on a thrilling NCAA title run. Now he was a Nugget, tasked at 19 years old with turning around a team that had stumbled to a 17-65 record the season before his arrival.

Needless to say, it was a good time for a franchise makeover, both in substance—Melo provided plenty of that—and in style. For the latter, the Nuggets completely overhauled their color scheme and jersey design, ditching the relatively subdued navy, red and gold that fans were familiar with for a shiny sky blue with bright yellow accents. It was a drastic switch, and where Carmelo Anthony was concerned, a fitting one: a bold, assertive look well suited to a bold, assertive young star.

Anthony wasted no time making those new jerseys look good—and making the Nuggets look smart for drafting him. In his NBA debut, he posted a relatively modest 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, then scored 18 and 23 in his next two games. Denver’s fifth game was a road date in Cleveland, one of the most hyped rookie matchups in NBA history. The individual battle was slightly underwhelming—LeBron had 7 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists while Melo went for 14 and 6—but the Nuggets came away with the 4-point win. Back home against the Clippers three nights later, Anthony recorded his first career 30-point game.

It would hardly be his last. That season alone, Melo topped 30 nine times, including a season-best 39 points in a February win over the Blazers. But the more important numbers were coming on the scoreboard. Led by Anthony, point guard Andre Miller and Brazilian big man Nene Hilario, the Nuggets matched the previous season’s win total three days before Christmas. Anthony’s impact on his team’s success was undeniable.

And yes, the League was taking notice. That season, for the first (and still only) time in NBA history, the conference Rookie of the Month awards went to the same players each month: LeBron James in the East, and Carmelo Anthony in the West. There wasn’t much to separate them: For the season, LeBron averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game. Melo went for 21.0, 6.1 and 2.8 per. The only real difference? Anthony led his Nuggets to the playoffs. LeBron and the Cavs fell just short.

There’s no comparing their trophy cases at this point. But for that debut season, Carmelo was every bit LeBron’s equal. And he looked pretty good doing it, too.

—

Photos via Getty Images, Mitchell & Ness

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By any measure, the moment was pretty weird.

In the early-to-mid ’90s, expansion teams and relocated franchises in every major American sport broke out jerseys in variations of aqua, seafoam and teal. The NBA was no exception, as the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies memorably rocked turquoise as their primary color when they joined the League in 1995. But such trends by their nature don’t last, and much like the Grizzlies in Vancouver, most teams (and fans) eventually moved on.

It was in the midst of that kind-of-blue period that the NBA decided to capitalize on the buzz. The site was San Antonio, where the Alamodome played host to the 1996 All-Star Game. And the look…well, the look was something else. The ’96 jerseys clearly drew inspiration from a recent predecessor: the ’95 All-Star version, which featured a blue-green cactus over an orange star, all on a field of purple (that other trendy color of the era). The ’96 unis borrowed heavily from that graphic ensemble, exchanging purple for something in that aqua-blue range and swapping out the star-and-cactus for a basketball spinning on—as far as anyone can tell—a pink chili pepper.

If it were only about the aesthetics, that ’96 look might be best remembered as a novelty: the time-capsule colors, the oversized lettering, the jagged numbers slightly askew. But then one particular player changed everything, transforming that jersey from novel to iconic simply by pulling it over his head. Not for the first time, Michael Jordan was the guy who changed the game.

A look at his relatively modest stats—20 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and a steal—don’t begin to do justice to the Jordan buzz that night in San Antonio. It was his 10th All-Star appearance, but his first since returning from a shocking retirement two-and-a-half years earlier. He wasn’t that year’s top vote getter (that was East teammate Grant Hill) or the game’s leading scorer (Shaquille O’Neal would finish with 25 points), but his mere presence was the game’s biggest story.

The game itself was a bit of a yawner. Jordan’s East squad took a 3-point lead into the half and blew the doors off after intermission, leading by 22 going into the fourth and coasting to a 129-118 win. The only minor suspense came at the end, when the Most Valuable Player award was handed out: Many figured Shaq had earned it with a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double. But it was Jordan, for the second time in his career, who brought that particular trophy home.

Of course, it wasn’t the last bit of hardware MJ would collect that season at Shaq’s expense. A few months later, Jordan’s Bulls would sweep O’Neal’s Magic en route to the ’96 NBA Championship, the first of another three-peat for the Chicago dynasty. If anyone still had doubts about Jordan’s place in the league he had temporarily left behind, they were answered emphatically that spring: with a fourth regular-season MVP award, with his league-best 30.4 ppg, and with his fourth NBA title.

The rest, of course, is legend, including the 14 career All-Star appearances that would’ve been closer to 20 if not for his multiple retirements. The 1996 game might not stand as his most memorable, but for so many reasons—not least being the eye-popping uniform that perfectly captured that moment of mid-’90s sports fashion—it has earned its place as part of the Jordan legend.

Photos via Mitchell & Ness, Getty Images

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The men’s teams wearing the Vapor Uniforms are Arizona, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, Marquette, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon and North Carolina. The women’s teams getting the hook up are Baylor, UConn and Michigan.

All 41 of the Swoosh’s teams are getting Mantra shirts, specific to each squad.

Stay up to date with your squad by using the “follow your team” feature in the Nike+ app. Get personalized access to products, experiences, athlete content and more as men’s and women’s Nike programs advance in the Dance.

Related
2017 NCAA Tournament Bracket

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The Jayhawks are going to be wearing the Crazy Explosive Low, the Sun Devils will be in the Harden Vol. 1 and Indiana, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, Mississippi State, NC State and Texas A&M are getting the Dame 3. All the kicks feature either a school pride mid-sole or solid color mid-sole with an iced-out bottom that allows the team graphics to show through.

All the apparel and sneakers are available now at adidas.com and on the respective campuses.

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This year, the star-studded midseason celebration was no different. A few hours after the All-Star Saturday Night festivities concluded at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Slam Dunk Champ Glenn Robinson III was getting daps and hugs at Mardi Gras World, site to one of the weekend’s best parties each year: the Third Annual All-Star Spades Tournament, hosted by Stance and Dwyane Wade.

As GRIII worked the room, he walked past MLB legend Gary Sheffield, seated at a nearby table. At the next, Bucks rookie Thon Maker was cracking jokes. Around the corner, WNBA superstar Candace Parker was holding court. Allen Iverson and Charles Oakley shared an OG moment as cards were shuffled and dealt on the other side of the sprawling venue. An anonymous SLAM editor was even asked to snap a photo of Wade and Gabrielle Union posing with a fan.

The Spades Tournament itself consisted of 32 teams, with participants and party attendees including the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Jimmy Butler (who was just an observer, because “Dominoes is my thing. Dominoes and basketball. Spades ain’t for me!”), Kenyon Martin, James Harden, Devin Booker, Jason Williams, Joel Embiid, Kyle Lowry, Myles Turner, Anthony Anderson and Klay Thompson, among countless others. This year’s winner? Celebrity creative director Calyann Barnett and her husband Sky Watson defeated Carmelo Anthony in the championship round, while actor Anthony Anderson’s team won the consolation bracket.

The next day, once all had recovered from a long—and extremely fun—night, Stance was on display under the bright lights, as the official on-court sock for the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. Until next year, y’all…

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Taking place at the International House Hotel, the couple will present collections from Flawless, Lalique, Valmont, Stance and Li-Ning.

More from Fancy:

Collaborating with both an athlete and an actress for the 1st time, Fancy.com, the destination for discovering and buying amazing things curated by a global community, has teamed with Dwyane Wade, of the Chicago Bulls and his wife, actress and producer, Gabrielle Union, to bring “D&G: A His & Hers Pop-Up Fancy Experience” retail space to New Orleans during the NBA’s All-Star Weekend festivities.

[…]

Dwyane, a three time NBA Champion, will display his fashion influences both on and off the court at “His and Hers”. Brands such as LALIQUE, Li-Ning and Stance have joined Dwyane to celebrate the NBA All-Star weekend. French luxury lifestyle brand, LALIQUE, is creating a VIP Gentlemen’s Lounge inside the Pop-Up that will allow guests to experience the full range of the brand, featuring exclusive pieces from their LALIQUE Maison furniture range including the Dragon Bar, Victoire chairs with crystal elements, 100 Points barware, vintage decanters, cigar boxes and limited edition art pieces from Damien Hirst and Zaha Hadid. While sitting back in true leisure, Muzik Connect’s revolutionary wireless headphones will shuffle through Dwyane’s game-day playlists as New Amsterdam Spirits pours theme-centric signature cocktails for guests. Li-Ning Way of Wade 5 “All Star” shoe will be releasing exclusively during All Star weekend at the Fancy Pop-Up in New Orleans following a wide release of the shoe online at www.wayofwade.com.

D&G: A His and Hers Fancy Pop-Up Experience, located at the International House Hotel (221 Camp St, New Orleans, LA), is open to the public and will be open from February 17th -19th from 11am – 7pm.

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The whole collection launches this weekend at OVO’s flagship stores (Toronto, NYC, LA), OctobersVeryOwn.com, Jordan.com and select Jordan retail stores.

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That said, the Orlando game stands as unique in Jordan’s remarkable career, even if it’s largely overlooked. It was Valentine’s Day, 1990, and the Bulls were wrapping up an ugly six-game road trip that already included double-digit losses in Houston, L.A. and Denver. The game in Orlando was the second of a back-to-back. The team was tired and frustrated. They just wanted to beat this expansion team and go home.

And then somebody stole Michael Jordan’s jersey.

That’s the story, anyway. Details are murky, and it’s not clear anyone—other than the perpetrator—knows exactly what happened, but at some point, perhaps during the Bulls’ game-day shootaround, Jordan’s game jersey went missing. The team’s equipment staff scrambled to find it, with no luck; eventually, arena security was called in, and employees who might have had access to the Bulls’ gear were questioned. Nothing turned up. All the while, the clock ticked down toward tip-off.

As the story goes, the Chicago equipment guy found a Jordan devotee in the crowd and tried to appropriate the fan’s jersey, but it didn’t fit. That left only one option: A single backup jersey packed in the Bulls’ traveling gear. It matched the team’s road gear, the classic red with black-and-white piping on the neck and shoulders that might just be the most popular and iconic top in NBA history. Only this one was missing the 23 and the J-O-R-D-A-N across the shoulders. There was no name on this jersey. And the number was a decidedly un-iconic 12.

Mike didn’t have much of choice.

So yes, Michael Jordan wore No. 12. Just that once, without his name on the back, and without any of the memorable fanfare of that 45 he donned famously at Madison Square Garden. But even without his name, Jordan was hardly anonymous that night. He scored 49 on 43 shots in 47 minutes, pulled down 7 rebounds, dropped a pair of assists. Perhaps ironically, Jordan himself didn’t have a steal that night, a category he led the League in that season; he didn’t register a turnover, either.

He wasn’t happy afterward, lamenting a blown opportunity and a 1-5 road trip, and he was clearly annoyed—to put it mildly—at the fiasco with his jersey. This was, after all, a guy who wore his college practice shorts under his game shorts throughout his NBA career; whether it was superstition or commitment to routine, Jordan clearly didn’t appreciate having his gear tampered with, let alone snatched. Needless to say, his equipment guys made sure nothing like that ever happened again.

Of course, as a player who used any slight—real or perceived—as motivation, it figured Jordan would turn this episode into a win one way or another. After that forgettable trip to O-Town, the Bulls ripped off a nine-game win streak. When they faced the Magic again a few months later, Jordan “only” scored 38—wearing his customary 23, of course—in a Chicago win. And the nameless No. 12 jersey? It was never seen on his back again.

Photos: Mitchell & Ness, Getty Images

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These are on sale for a limited time, with only 200 on sale today at the team’s merchandise stores in Golden 1 Center and through the team’s online store at KingsTeamStore.com.

Video and photos courtesy of Kings

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The silver-plated brass pins were designed by artist Muideen Ogunmola, who portrays the athletes in a bright and exaggerated style.

Only 25 of each pin are available for purchase now at pintrill.com.

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The collection will debut tomorrow, February 2 at Fashion Week and be on-sale at Madison Square Garden on February 4. For more info, hit up Grungy Gents’ website.

Photos courtesy of Grungy Gentleman

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Below are the official photos from our friends at Stance Socks.

East:

West:

Rising Stars:

All three NOLA All-Star on-court socks draw elements of the All-Star Game uniform and the host city as design inspiration, and are available now ($26) at Stance.com/nba, NBAstore.com, Foot Locker, Lids and other global retail partners.

Here are more details on the individual socks, straight from Stance:

The Western Conference sock, which is black and grey, and the Eastern Conference sock, a complimentary grey and cool grey, are both colored to accentuate the uniform. The embroidered Stance logo on the front of each sock is gold, to represent New Orleans’ vivacity and splendor, while the NBA logo on the back is encased in a symbolic star. The cuff of each sock incorporates a ring of red and blue that pays homage to the uniform.

 

The All-Star Game is not the only event getting a commemorative on-court sock in New Orleans. On Friday night, during the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, rookies and sophomores will don special footwear. The blue, red and gold sock owes its look to the event’s uniform. The gold Stance and NBA embroideries serve as a reminder of the gravity of the event, while the Fleur-de-lis design nods to the host city.

For even more, follow Stance Hoops on IG and Twitter.

The post Exclusive First Look: Stance Unveils 2017 NBA All-Star Socks appeared first on SLAM.

Get in on a chance to win the @nikevision KD Signature Eyewear Collection: https://t.co/URjFlxOYjN. pic.twitter.com/4bRBM3drmR

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) January 17, 2017

The third iteration of the KD x Nike Vision line, the 2017 versions include three unisex adult styles and three children’s styles. Each pair of glasses comes with a KD logo plaque on the inside temple tip and Kevin Durant’s signature laser-etched on the core wire on the temples, according to Nike. It’s all part of an aesthetic designed to complement KD’s off-court style, including his sneaker and apparel lines.

In fact, Nike Vision is also releasing 35 (obviously) limited-edition sets in an exclusive color, numbered 1 to 35 and available by auction and sweepstakes. Here’s more info, straight from our friends at Nike:

New for 2017, basketball superstar and two-time gold medalist Kevin Durant is teaming up with Nike Vision for the third iteration of the collaborative line of optical eyewear. The new KD Signature Collection will feature three adults and three kid’s styles in a variety of stylish shapes, colors options and patterns worn and inspired by Kevin Durant himself.

 

The collection boasts sophisticated colors and patterns that Nike has incorporated into KD’s shoe and apparel collections. Each style also features a KD logo plaque on the inside temple tip and Kevin Durant’s signature laser-etched on the core wire on the temples. With premium metal details and on-trend shapes, the collection’s designs compliment Kevin Durant’s off-the-court style.

 

Nike Vision is also releasing 35 limited-edition sets corresponding to Durant’s jersey number. Limited-edition sets will feature the 36KD and 37KD styles each in an exclusive color.  Sets will be numbered from one to 35 and will include a card of authenticity. Set number 35 will be gifted to Durant himself and the remaining sets will be available for purchase at select retailers. Nike Vision will also reward one set to a lucky winner via a sweepstakes on nikevision.com. Fans can enter by submitting their e-mail address beginning on January 17 until entries close on February 14 PM EST. One winner will be randomly selected. No purchase necessary.

 

The Kevin Durant Signature Collection is now available for purchase at select dealers. Visit http://www.nikevision.com/locate-dealer/ for a full list of retailers carrying the collection and limited-edition colors. For additional news and information, follow along on social @NikeVision.

The post Nike x Kevin Durant Release Latest Signature Eyewear Collection appeared first on SLAM.

Check out photos above and below, and for more, follow Stance on Instagram and Twitter.

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Scroll through the photos above to get a closer look at the #NBAVIBES bracelets from Rastaclat, which are dropping in conjunction with All-Star Weekend this year.

The post Rastaclat is Launching #NBAVIBES Bracelets at All-Star Weekend appeared first on SLAM.

Today, Stance unveils the designs for the 2017 NBA On-court Chinese New Year commemorative socks. Four teams—the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards—have special socks and will wear them between January 27 and February 12.

 

The Chinese New Year styles, which will only be worn during home games, are inspired by and designed to match each of those four team’s commemorative CNY uniforms. The Rockets sock is red, white and grey. The Warriors sock is white, yellow and red. The Raptors style is black, white and red. The Wizards sock is red, black and white.

 

Stance’s Chinese New Year commemorative styles will retail for $28 at Stance.com/nba, the NBA Store, Champs, Eastbay, Lids and other major retailers worldwide. Stay up-to-date on all of the latest news by following @stancehoops. #theuncommonthread

The post Stance Unveils NBA ‘Chinese New Year’ Socks appeared first on SLAM.

The pack is handcrafted by Reigning Champ at their Vancouver factory, from custom Canadian-made fabric. It releases on January 12 at adidas.com, Reigning Champ, adidas stores, Reigning Champ stores in Toronto and Vancouver and select Foot Locker stores in North America.

The post adidas Athletics x Reigning Champ Collection, Featuring Andrew Wiggins appeared first on SLAM.

Maybe it was his team’s record. The Cleveland Cavaliers earned the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by being one of the NBA’s worst teams in 2002-03. The addition of a single, hyper-talented 18-year-old rookie made them much better, no doubt, but the ’03-04 Cavs still weren’t very good. They started that season 0-5, and ended it 35-47.

Or maybe it was the competition from his fellow rookies. Carmelo had comparable numbers on a (slightly) better team in Denver. D-Wade down in Miami wasn’t far behind. Among such a talented draft class, did the kid from Akron really look that much better than his fresh-faced peers?

But if we’re being real, this was mostly about expectations. About hype, as fed by this publication and many others, in the months and years leading up to his NBA debut. We spent so much time explaining how great LeBron James was going to be, his actual greatness seemed somehow insufficient. Mere greatness wasn’t enough for some. He was still human, after all.

Looking back on it 13 years later, LeBron’s Rookie of the Year campaign is best appreciated for what it promised—or in some cases only alluded to. Much of what we knew from his remarkable high school career was confirmed immediately: That he could score, often and efficiently, as witnessed by 25 points on 12-20 shooting in his NBA debut. That he was big and strong enough to hang in a man’s league, as evidenced by double-digit rebound totals in two of his first four games. That his court vision and selflessness would set him apart: 9 assists in his first NBA game, and a season average of nearly 6 per game on one of the League’s worst-shooting teams. And that he was durable, averaging just shy of 40 minutes per game.

Even in his (relative) weaknesses, there was promise. He could shoot a higher percentage, rebound at a higher rate, get to the line more often—he could, and he would, do all of these things soon enough. And maybe that, too, was down to expectation: the sense that, for all the hype, he should’ve been a finished product as a rookie. He wasn’t, of course. Not even the great ones are.

Nicknames asides, the breadth of LeBron’s rookie year signified itself not as a coronation, but as a new beginning, for the franchise, and for the League itself. It was only fitting that the Cavs opened the 2003-04 season with new uniforms, ditching the powder blue, orange and black color scheme for a return to their classic “wine and gold.” It was perhaps a presumptuous switch, opting for colors that so boldly hinted at wealth, success and royalty. Presumptuous, or maybe just prophetic.

It took a lot to justify all of that, of course—both the Cavs’ optimism and LeBron’s hype. It took years of franchise improvement, of going from mediocre to good to great—but not quite good enough. It took LeBron leaving, and then coming back home. It took two titles in Miami, and a run of six straight NBA Finals appearances, and (twice) outplaying the League MVP when it mattered most. It took the most Vine’d (RIP) chasedown block in the history of civilization, and more than a little help from his friends. The overblown hype, the absurd expectations—all of it is justified now.

—

Action photo via Getty Images

The post Justified appeared first on SLAM.

To help them make their start, Shaquille O’Neal, Julius Erving, Allen Iverson and Dennis Rodman have partnered with them for a collection that includes hats ($34.95), tanks ($34.95), tees ($39.95), sweatpants ($69.95), pullover hoodies ($74.95), full-zip hoodies ($79.95), and jackets ($109.99).

It’s all available now. Peep some of the collection in the gallery above and head over to the Roots of Fight site to pick up your gear.

—

Pictures by Jihad Dennis and courtesy of Roots of Fight 

The post Shaq, Dr. J, Allen Iverson & Dennis Rodman Team with Roots of Fight for Apparel Collection appeared first on SLAM.

Scroll through the photos above to see Stance’s new NBA underwear collection, which according to the brand is “designed to evoke classic team shorts, while also offering a comfortable modern fit boxer brief consisting of combed cotton, a feather-seam panel and an exposed elastic seam.”

The collection includes nine teams: the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers.

Stance’s line of NBA underwear is now available at Stance.com, the NBA Store, Lids and select retailers worldwide. Fore more on NBA underwear, socks and more be sure to follow @stancehoops. #theuncommonthread

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After the injury healed, I remained anxious about the prospects of re-aggravating the area; but I was resistant to using ankle braces. I was skeptical about the amount of support they provided, and refused to compromise too much mobility or comfort. I was a point guard and my quickness and agility were imperative to my game.

It was with this perspective that I assumed the task of testing a number of ankle braces supplied by a company called Active Ankle. I brought four different models (all debuted or updated this past summer) to a pick-up session and switched them up in-between games.

For additional support without compromising movement, I found the newly rebranded 329 Ankle Sleeve to be an extremely useful product. Imagine wearing a much denser and tighter second layer of socks that consists of a few multi-directional dual straps—that is the 329 sleeve. It might not provide the maximum assistance in terms of injury prevention, but the sleeve undoubtedly affords some level of defense, while also delivering the utmost comfort. I would suggest that all players with any reservations about ankle safety at least investigate the sleeve, as it heightens security without confining any other facets of your game.

The AS1 Pro, which was also updated this summer, is your classic lace-up brace—the kind you probably picture when you think of ankle products. Through its laces and vertical straps, this one definitely brought more support to the area, and was not as uncomfortable or limiting as one might fear. It was considerably bigger than the sleeve but still fit nicely beneath my High-Top Nike Hyperdunks and enabled great agility out on the floor.

Active Ankle’s brand new releases, the Eclipse I and the Eclipse II, are what you would call rigid ankle braces. These ones are far more complex and multi-faceted (it took me awhile to figure out how to properly put them on). Both products offer more protection than any other ankle braces I have ever encountered; but of course, at the cost of being a bit stiff and restricting some ranges of motion.

The Eclipse I is the more comfortable and less bulky of the two. The II provides, as the Active Ankle website claims and I can substantiate, “the maximum protection available in a rigid ankle brace.” You can just tell when you look at this thing that it’s serious, with its elaborate U-shaped design and multipoint strapping system. According to a product fact sheet, the II is most ideal for sports that consist of more forward/back and vertical motion (like volleyball, baseball and football) than side-to-side. The Eclipse I is built more for basketball players. I presume as well that both braces are more cozy and less imposing once broken in.

In general, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of ankle protection exhibited by these products. Had I known of all of these options back when I was recovering from my injury, I certainly could have located something I was down for. Active Ankle offers a vast array of choices depending or whether you want some security with no loss of mobility, or the greatest security with some constraints.

If you ever have the misfortune of failing at your own LeBron impression (though this is not advised) and badly twisting an ankle, I can attest to the fact that Active Ankle has you covered, no matter the severity.

Active Ankle products can be purchased online here.

The post Brace Yourself appeared first on SLAM.

He has a dad hat with a washed cotton and the iconic deer head logo and brass enclosure. His second hat has a metallic gold braided rope and screen printed throwback Bucks logo paying tribute to the past.

Both of these are available to purchase now, for $40 each.

Related
Steve Novak Designs Two New Era Hats

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The shirts feature a black background with team logos on a camouflage design. 100% of proceeds will benefit the United Service Organizations (USO).

Pick up your team’s shirt right now.

Images courtesy of NBA

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According to the brand, this year’s Christmas Day socks evoke “frosty, winter days with its snowflake design and grey and white color tones. The NBA logo and the cuff of the sock, both stitched in red and green fabric, reflect the colors and spirit of the season.”

All the NBA teams playing on Christmas will rock these socks: Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls vs. San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers.

The NBA Christmas Day Crew will retail for $28 at Stance.com, Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Finish Line and other major retailers worldwide.

The post Stance Unveils 2016 NBA On-Court Christmas Day Sock appeared first on SLAM.

Visit hypesocks.com to place an order today.

The post Here’s How To Save On Custom Basketball Team Socks appeared first on SLAM.

Don C designed the jersey, short, shooting shirt and jacket for the Chicago-area high schools. He and the Brand used Michael’s rookie year uniforms as inspiration for new threads for Hillcrest, Fenwick, De La Salle, Marian Catholic, Bolingbrook and Morgan Park.

Jordan Brand gathered the teams this Saturday for the unveiling of the uniforms and a performance from Made in Tokyo. Check out pictures of the gear and event up top.

Pictures courtesy of Jordan Brand

The post Jordan Brand x Don C Create Exclusive Jerseys for Chicago High Schools appeared first on SLAM.

Both of these hats are available for purchase now.

https://youtu.be/G2wwadJwK0E

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Chris Mullin is only a few years older than me. Kids who grew up in or around New York City in those days knew the Celtics, the Lakers and the Knicks. The hardcore fans also knew the Nets and the Sixers. If we knew the Warriors (who were never on TV), it was as the crazy team with bright yellow unis and a dude named Sleepy who took all the shots. Mully didn’t know much more than us, honestly. He moved all the way across the country and had to leave most of his fam—of the blood and hanging out varieties—behind. He had to get his body on an NBA level. He had to manage expectations of an impatient fan base he’d never even known existed. He had to manage a predilection for drinking away his pain that would get worse before he eventually got treatment and quit alcohol entirely.

But the saying is true—game recognize game. And Chris Mullin had too much of it not to flourish. There was the shot, of course. Lefty. Smooth. Pure. His 18-footers (step off, stat nerds, Mully did his thing in the pre-analytics days and he did it damn well) were like putting a knife through butter that’s been sitting out for a day. Soft. And they went down, believe. Mullin averaged 14 points on 46 percent shooting from the field (90 percent from the line) as a rook and then began a decade-long run where he rarely averaged less than 15 ppg or shot below 50 percent from the field, mostly on the strength of that shot.

But it’s like I said before—dude had game, and that encompasses a whole lot more than a wet J. He wasn’t quick afoot, but his hands were lightning fast, making him a menace to sloppy dribblers or lazy passers, often gobbling up steals to the tune of 2-plus per game. His court vision was a thing of beauty, rendering cutters invisible to the untrained eye the recipients of a Mully dime that led to a lay-in. He could also weasel his way into the lane and steal rebounds from bigger, better-jumping opponents with his incredible court sense. Chris Mullin was a “shooting guard” in name only. His real position, at least as a young Warrior, should have been called, simply, “basketball player.”

Eventually, recognition for all this followed. There were five All-Star Games. Four All-NBA selections. A spot on the original Dream Team. And induction into the Hall of Fame. Inspired by his mind-bending feats on the court, and perhaps a little by his swag-without-trying buzzcut and New York accent, Mully was a fan favorite on both coasts whose appeal reached Middle America, too, when he later played in Indy.

The New York accent survives to this day, which finds him back in Queens, trying to rebuild a once-proud St. John’s program that actually has some talent this season. And don’t be surprised—whether it’s to gain cred as a basketball historian, fan of his coach or just as a dude with great fashion sense—if you see hotshot SJU freshman Shamorie Ponds walking the streets of Jamaica in this throwback Warriors jersey.

—

Photos: Mitchell & Ness, Getty Images

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The jerseys have an emblem featuring “REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR” alongside two anchors, an eagle and a star, which take inspiration from Navy medals and accolades. Here’s more detail straight from our adidas fam:

The Jayhawks will don an all-blue uniform featuring white stars mirroring the American flag along the side. The iconic elements of the five-time national championship winning program are highlighted with customary white name, numbering and KU logo. The names of each player will be replaced on the backs of the game jerseys with the word “Honor” to commemorate those who fought in the Battle of Pearl Harbor.

 

 

Red and white stripes set the tone for the Hoosiers’ uniform, flanking the side of the jersey and short from shoulder to knee. Influenced by both the American flag and the candy striped warm-up pants immortalized into Hoosiers tradition by the 1971-1972 squad, the uniform blends American pride with Hoosier history. The word “Courage” will replace the names of each Hoosiers player while the traditional Indiana numbering will emblazon the jerseys with the Hoosier insignia embroidered in white mesh on the short.

—

Photos via adidas

The post adidas Unveils Armed Forces Classic Uniforms for Indiana and Kansas appeared first on SLAM.

Stance, the official sock provider of the NBA, has updated the team sock designs for nine franchises. Scroll through the photos above to get a closer look, and read all the details straight from our friends at Stance below:

Last season, Stance was named the first official on-court sock of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Over the course of the season, the brand launched a plethora of solid colors, team specific and special event styles. Today, Stance is releasing new on-court styles to kick off the 2016-17 NBA season.

Nine NBA franchises will be sporting updated team socks. Among them—Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards—the Warriors are the only team adding multiple socks to their uniforms. All of these Stance on-court styles are built with Fusion Hoops technology, providing the cushioning, compression and moisture wicking required for optimal performance.

 

These new NBA on-court styles are available in a variety of crew and quarter heights and retail for $24-26. They are available at Stance.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, the NBA Store and other major retailers worldwide. Stay in the loop on all future casual and on-court launches by following along on Stance’s social channel @stancehoops. #theuncommonthread

The post See Stance’s Updated On-Court NBA Socks for the 2016-17 Season appeared first on SLAM.

Above are a few generic NBA logo New Era hats (which can be purchased at NBAStore.com and neweracap.com), as well as exclusive photos of the “Bucks collection”, designed by Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd. This specific line will drop tomorrow, October 26, at Bucks Pro Shops and online here.

Here’s the full press release detailing the partnership, via the NBA and New Era:

New Era and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced today an expanded global licensing partnership that makes the brand the official authentic headwear provider of the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and NBA Development League (NBA D-League).

 

As the league’s official authentic headwear provider, New Era will exclusively produce caps for marquee NBA events, including the NBA Draft presented by State Farm^®, Conference Finals and NBA Finals, with key products like the NBA Draft Cap and Official Locker Room Championship Cap.  The multiyear deal comes as the NBA celebrates its 20-year relationship with New Era, and will include marketing and retail activations within league and team platforms.

 

“We’ve been a partner of the NBA for many years and are excited for the opportunity to continue to work with such a storied league and its outstanding teams,” said Chris Koch, President & CEO, New Era.  “We’re looking forward to using team and league logos to bring unique designs and styles to the market for both players and fans.”

 

As part of the expanded partnership, New Era launched the 59FIFTY fitted headwear collection for the start of the 2016-17 season, and will unveil lifestyle-inspired products during NBA All-Star 2017 in New Orleans.  Additionally, New Era will produce all headwear silhouettes with current team marks, including the 9FIFTY Snapback, internationally.

 

“We’re very excited to grow our relationship with New Era and explore new ways to share premium product with our fans,” said NBA Vice President, Global Partnerships Lisa Piken Koper.  “The NBA Draft and Finals will reflect our refreshed approach to the category.”

 

Merchandise will be available at www.NBAStore.com, www.neweracap.com, the Flagship NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, all NBA team venues, and at New Era flagship stores and retailers around the world.

The post New Era Becomes Official Headwear Partner of the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Following this summer’s debut launch of the Allen Iverson Collection, the NBA’s official sock is introducing five new pairs of AI-inspired threads.

The leading socks features a rare photo from legendary photographer Gary Land. A second sock, Fame Ring, nods to Iverson’s affection for his HOF hardware. Yet another, Iverson Stats, visually explains why AI is one of the pound-for-pound best.

The collection ranges from Stance’s Classic Crew, Classic Pique, 200 Needle, and Super Invisible blocks and retail for $15-$18.

The Allen Iverson x Stance holiday collection is available now at Stance.com, Footaction, Champs and a variety of retailers worldwide.

RELATED:
Stance Drops the Allen Iverson Collection
Stance Socks Announces Multi-Year Partnership With Allen Iverson

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Check out the photos above.

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They’re on sale now, for $110 and $55, respectively. Check out the gallery up top see pictures of the gear and hit up M&N to cop yours.

Photos courtesy of Mitchell & Ness

The post Mitchell & Ness ‘NFL Name and Number’ Jersey Collection appeared first on SLAM.

True Religion hosted a pop up shop on September 24 at the Midtown Art Gallery in Oklahoma City to celebrate the launch. The first 150 people to make a purchase received a custom t-shirt with Russell’s logo in their choice of black, gold, or silver, printed at the event.

Check out images of the event and of the clothes up top.The collection will be offered exclusively on the True Religion app from September 25 to October 5, launching in stores and online on October 6.

Photos courtesy of True Religion

The post Russell Westbrook x True Religion Collab for Fall ’16 Fashion Line appeared first on SLAM.

The limited edition collection consists of apparel pieces that bring together inspirations from Reebok Classic and Future’s self-started apparel brand, Feebandz Clothing, and includes a variety of graphic tees and jackets, worn by Future and his team on stage during his ongoing Summer Sixteen Tour.

“I’m excited to wrap the summer with the official reveal of my Reebok Classic x Freebandz Apparel capsule collection,” Future says via press release. “Working with Reebok has been a natural fit for me. They share my beliefs in moving culture forward and being passionate in what you believe in. Not only am I honored, but I feel privileged to be a part of the family.”

Prices range from $55.00-$125.00. Hit up Reebok.com for more info.

Images courtesy of Reebok

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“I vividly remember him calling me after his first day of training camp and on the brink of tears,” recalls Eric Fleisher, Garnett’s former agent. “The guys on the team were being physical with him, pushing him, grabbing him. He was a kid joining a man’s world.”

Garnett was just 19 years old at the time, two years away from being allowed to legally buy a drink. He was also just months removed from being selected fifth overall by the Timberwolves, becoming the first player since 1975 to be drafted into the NBA straight out of high school. A South Carolina native, Garnett moved to Chicago prior to his senior year so he could enroll in the more prestigious Farragut Career Academy, and also so that he could get away from his native Mauldin following a racially charged fight at his school.

But this latest move to Minnesota would present an entirely new set of challenges. Suddenly KG had millions of dollars in the bank and millions of fans following his every move. The mall was no longer an option; 6-11 men with octopus-like arms don’t exactly blend in.

So Garnett found other ways to entertain himself. He and his friends would race go-karts up and down the street, Fleisher says. Garnett bought himself some puppies, too. Anything to ease his adjustment off the court, so that he could focus on thriving on it. And—when given the chance to play—thrive he did. Garnett averaged 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds during his rookie season, despite playing just about 29 minutes per game for a team that would win just 26 games that year, a number that even as a kid KG found unacceptable.

“He’d call me after games, almost in tears following a loss,” Fleisher says. “Even then he couldn’t take losing—and when he was a rookie he’d get even more upset when teammates of his would be joking around in the locker room after a loss.”

Then again, Garnett’s rookie year wasn’t about wins and losses. It was about building a new foundation in Minnesota, and in the NBA, too. KG was there to show high schoolers—and the League—that skipping college and going straight to the NBA was a viable path. Not just for anyone, though. It took more than raw talent to pull off that jump.

Sure, Garnett was blessed with a combination of physical gifts we see once in a generation. He was as tall as a skyscraper but could run like a gazelle. He could bury jumpers from 20 feet out but also shoot over smaller defenders in the paint. He was the rare player who could swat a shot on one side of the floor, then sprint down the court and finish with a dunk, and he often did.

But there was always more to No. 21’s brilliance. KG showed a generation what it meant to play with passion and what it looked like to be addicted to winning.

“He paved the way for lots of high school guys and young players,” Fleisher says. “All you have to do is look at the Drafts after him.”

Kevin Garnett changed the NBA. And it all started his rookie year.

—

WATCH: Karl-Anthony Towns x Kevin Garnett Mixtape

Photos: Mitchell & Ness, Getty Images

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Scroll through the pics above to get a better look, and read more from Stance below:

Last season, Stance debuted as the first official on-court sock of the National Basketball Association (NBA). At the time, Stance entered the scene with five solid colorways and a multitude of team-specific styles. Now, this season, Stance is building on that selection with the release of one new solid color and eight striped styles designed to amplify jerseys throughout the 2016-2017 NBA season.

 

Each team will maintain access to their two specific styles and existing solids. They will now, however, have the option to diversify their selection with Stance’s new solid navy, thin stripe, bold stripe and cap stripe socks. The Stripes collection, outside of complimenting NBA uniforms, provides the fashion, fit and function to transition from the NBA court and performance footwear to postgame and lifestyle wear.

 

These new On-Court Stripes will make their NBA debut in late October, at the start of the 2016-17 season. The collection is available at retail now, though, in both Stance’s quarter and crew heights. The styles are available at Stance.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, the NBA Store and a variety of national and international retailers. For more information, be sure to follow Stance’s social channel @stancehoops. #theuncommonthread

The post Stance Launches New NBA On-Court Stripe Socks appeared first on SLAM.

The adidas Village, up in Portland, OR, was visited by Maker, Prince, Baldwin, McCaw, Ingram, Brown and Murray recently.

While there, they checked out gear and sneakers, shot around and met fans. Check out photos of their trip up top.

Photos courtesy of adidas

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Adidas has also pumped up their basketball roster. With Joakim Noah, Andrew Wiggins Damian Lillard, James Harden and some of the best youngins‘ coming in, they’re stacked with both good players and personalities.

This week, Noah and Wiggins hosted the Lincoln High School (Brooklyn, NY) basketball team for an afternoon of advice and mental training at the Skylight Clarkson in New York. Led by Graham Betchart, the cofounder of Play Present, Noah, Wiggins and the Lincoln players went through several mental training exercises meant to increase their ability to focus.

Betchart harped on the need to be in the moment and vulnerable. He said athletes have to be willing to fail in order to learn.

Noah talked to the kids for a solid 15 minutes before they began to “work out” their minds. He sat while the squad surrounded him in a circle, the old head prepping the next generation. After the mind-strengthening, Wiggins stood up and joked around with the high school kids for 20 minutes. Just kids being kids.

The whole event was thrown together by adidas. The brand now sponsors Lincoln. And the night before, they put on a show that featured Noah and Wiggins as models in the upcoming adidas Athletics line.

“It’s a blessing. It’s such a blessing,” Noah says about being a brand ambassador. “I’ve been wanting to do this since I was a kid. I’ve been with the brand for a long time, since ABCD Camp, where I was a ballboy.” Back in the early 2000s, he rebounded for LeBron James and Lenny Cooke. A lot’s changed for him, and the company, since then.

“The company’s come such a long way,” Noah says. “You look at the style and it’s so fresh. We came a long way from Pro Models, you know? They were nice sneakers but when you compare it to the BOOST and all the technologies they have going on now, it’s pretty unreal.”

That BOOST tech is a major selling point for the adidas Crazy Explosive, the sneaker that Wiggins will represent and play in during the season.

“I like it a lot,” Wiggins says on the brand new shoe. “I like the different color ways. I like the comfort level, the BOOST at the bottom. When you stand up and you’re wearing the show it’s like you’re standing on a big cushion. It’s dope.”

Even after winning the 2015 Rookie of the Year, averaging 20 ppg in his second season and being the face of a sneaker, Wiggins still didn’t think he would take such a major step towards brand ambassador.

“Nah, I didn’t think this would happen,” the 21-year-old says with a smile. “I thought it was cool how they showcased everything. They had the pictures on the wall, they had a bunch of models come in and model the designs. It was great, they put on a great show.”

Of course, with adidas throwing their party in New York and Lincoln, one of NY’s best-ever basketball programs in the building, native New Yorker Joakim Noah had to talk about the Knicks for a second.

“We have a lot of talent,” Noah says. “To me, when you think of the Knicks, no matter what, it’s always gonna be an underdog. The Knicks is the underdog no matter what. I’m really proud to be on this team and there’s obviously a lot of talent.

“I just wanna enjoy playing basketball,” he continues. “The last couple years have been really hard for me, in terms of injuries. I just wanna go out there and enjoy.”

Photos courtesy of Devlin Claro

The post Joakim Noah, Andrew Wiggins and the Future of adidas appeared first on SLAM.

Part of the current shift in adidas is the Athletics line. The Athletics line is inspired by the athlete. Its durable, comfortable material makes it perfect for before, during and after the game.

The Three Stripes showed off their new stuff last night at the Skylight Clarkson in New York City in front of a packed house. On hand for the unveiling of the adidas Athletics ZNE (Zero Negative Energy) Hoodie were Joakim Noah, Andrew Wiggins, Keyshawn Johnson, American Olympian Tori Bowie and Chinese tennis superstar Coco Shilin.

They rocked the new gear, talked about it all and answered questions from Keyshawn about how they get ready for their games.

Check out pictures of the event and some of the threads up top. Keep it locked for official release and pricing info, but circle your calendars for September 7.

And, of course, check out the pictures of Fetty Wap.

Photos courtesy of adidas

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The Open is taking place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens right now. Packer, ASICS and Mitchell & Ness are celebrating the best of tennis with exclusive and limited sneakers and apparel, all inspired by tennis.

Five new pairs of ASICS and Onitsuka Tigers, t-shirts, jackets and hats, which range from $30-$160 will only be available at a pop-up space in the heart of New York City at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall from Tuesday, August 30 to Thursday, September 1.

Check out photos of the gear up top.

The post Packer x ASICS x Mitchell & Ness ‘Game. Set. Match.’ Collection appeared first on SLAM.

Always fun working with @nikesportwear https://t.co/1DIBdibUhkhttps://t.co/2bPxYMJXOL

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) August 25, 2016

Check out the photos up top see Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Allyson Felix, Spanish Olympic swimmer Ona Carbonell, Neymar, Rafael Nadal, Chinese soccer player Zhao Lina, Serbian track and field star Ivana Spanovic and British Olympic sprinter Dina Asher-Smith show off the threads. Keep it locked for pricing and release info.

Photos courtesy of Nike

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The unforgettable, ice-cold-classic frozen moment of Allen Iverson’s greatest NBA season came in June 2001. It happened in Los Angeles, in a building where few thought the Philadelphia 76ers were likely to win a game, let alone steal the Finals opener. It came at the expense of a certain reserve guard whose future as a championship-winning rookie coach was unimaginable at the time. It came with a crisp pair of those oh-so-wavy black and white Reebok Answer IVs on his feet. And it happened right on the sideline, practically on top of the Lakers bench.

But the shot itself, the game-clinching OT jumper that AI hit in Tyronn Lue’s eye to set up the infamous step-over? Thanks to years of seeing that sideline step replayed in video and GIF form, it sure feels like a three. But it was only a long two, good for what proved to be the winning points in a massive upset. In that moment, two was plenty.

https://youtu.be/grXws5m11SA

Iverson scored in every way, shape and form that season en route to a League-leading 31.1 ppg. It was only the third-best season scoring average of his career, but given the context, it’s hard to imagine a better season from nearly anyone, let alone a sub-6-foot guard surrounded by role players. It’s possible no single player in NBA history has carried an otherwise average squad higher and further than Iverson did in 2000-01, his epic production and undeniable will lifting the Sixers to 56 wins and an Eastern Conference title.

No disrespect to Theo, Dikembe, Aaron, Eric, George and the rest of a hard-working roster—with that Philly squad, effort was never in doubt. But at a time when the Mike-and-Pip Bulls dynasty was followed by Shaq and Kobe in L.A., Allen Iverson was a solo superstar. It’s even harder to imagine now, when only “super teams” need apply for a chance at playing for titles: One dude, a buck-sixty soaking wet, leading a squad to the summit.

His frame was barely broad enough to fill out those classic wide-shoulder jerseys, but there was never any doubting the size of AI’s heart. Coming off a 2000 season in which he stole a single MVP vote and kept Shaq from being the Big Unanimous, Iverson found new ways to lift his game. He averaged a too-easy 23 per as the Sixers jumped to a 10-0 start, then worked his way into the sort of rhythm that left defenders grasping. He broke 30 points six times in the month of December, going for 45 against the Jazz a few days before Christmas and pouring in 46 against the Kings in the last game before the calendar flipped. He picked up where he left off in the New Year, dropping 41 and 54 on back-to-back (!) nights against the Sonics and Cavs in early January. Over the course of the season, he went for 40 or more 17 times, and broke 50 twice.

In the middle of it all, there was that unforgettable All-Star MVP performance in DC, when he scored a game-high 25 in leading the East back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Playoffs wouldn’t provide such a storybook ending, the Lakers’ Hall-of-Famer duo and supporting cast proving too much even for AI. It would be his best chance at a title, and in averaging nearly 36 ppg in a losing cause, Iverson solidified his ultimate-underdog, heart-of-a-champion rep for all time.

And that moment, in L.A., down the stretch in Game 1: A hard right dribble, pulled back through the legs, high-arcing from 18…wet. Like a great throwback—and like AI himself—the shot, the sneakers and the celebration remain timeless.

—

Product photos courtesy of Mitchell & Ness, Action photo via Getty Images

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Get your first look at our brand-new “Stars” jersey, which players will wear during the 2016-17 season! #PureMagichttps://t.co/h6MJ6sWKGM

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) August 9, 2016

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The details, straight from Stance:

Three years after debuting its initial NBA Legends collection, Stance is excited to announce a new collection of NBA Legends designed by acclaimed artist Todd Francis.

 

Like all Stance Hoops collection, the TF styles are designed to fit the aesthetic of both hardcore NBA fans and sock enthusiasts.Specifically, Francis, who is best known for his extensive work in the skate world but is an avid follower of the NBA, worked on all of the player illustrations and vivd colors by hand. In doing so, Francis blurred and pushed the boundaries of art, socks and the NBA.

 

The six TF pairs all feature NBA players who starred in the 1980s and 1990s for a variety of teams. Leading off is Dennis Rodman, who played for the Chicago Bulls from 1995 to 1998, and Dominique Wilkins, who is best known for playing for the Atlanta Hawks from 1982 to 1994. The pack continues with Isiah Thomas, who led the Detroit Pistons from 1981 to 1994; Mitch Richmond, who made his initial mark as a member of the Golden State Warriors from 1988 to 1991; Julius “Dr. J” Erving, who was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers from 1977 to 1987; and Patrick Ewing, who played center for the New York Knicks from 1985 to 2000.

 

Stance’s Todd Francis Legends collection is now available at Stance.com and a variety of global retailers.

 

For more information on the TF Legends collection, be sure to keep it locked to @stancehoops and @toddfrancisart.

The post Stance Announces New Todd Francis-Designed NBA Socks appeared first on SLAM.

Starting August 5, in limited quantities, the jackets will be available for $150, exclusively through Mr. Alan’s stores and website. Here’s a list of Mr. Alan’s stores in Michigan.

Photos courtesy of Starter

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We’re still waiting on the official basketball uniforms, but for now the football jerseys are a big-time hint at what we might see on the court. For even more details on the upcoming partnership and the football uniform itself, head over to the official Nike announcement, or read below:

The University of Michigan is more than just a school. It is a community and family represented by a single letter, two hues: Maize and Blue, and a longstanding tradition of excellence — a reputation of leading both academically and athletically.

 

On the gridiron, Michigan has, since fielding its first team in 1871, claimed more victories than any other school. The university also lays claim to 11 national championships, over 120 first-team all-Americans and three Heisman trophy winners, including Jordan Brand athlete Charles Woodson. Beyond, the program’s Winged Helmet, introduced in 1938, remains an icon of college football.

 

Similarly, the Jordan Brand is more than one man. For over 30 years, Jordan Brand has built a culture by pushing the boundaries of innovation and style; the Jumpman logo has come to represent greatness and unites athletes around the world who are willing to push their limits to be the best.

 

“Michael Jordan never settled. His career was defined by his competitive drive, unwavering work ethic and a dogged pursuit of winning,” says Larry Miller, President of the Jordan Brand. “These same principles have guided the Jordan Brand since its inception, and we see a like-spirit in the University of Michigan. What started with a phone call between Michael and Coach Harbaugh comes to life today in an unprecedented partnership which further diversifies the Jordan Brand’s commitment to football and athletes.”

 

This fall, that legacy will continue to transcend sport as the Michigan football team debuts the iconic Jumpman on the gridiron.

 

The Michigan jersey, built on the Nike Vapor Untouchable chasse, features a minimal-seam design and stretch woven materials. Focusing on fit, range of motion and breathability, the jersey includes tailored lines that are articulated to move with the body and laser perforations in the front and back panels to maximize ventilation.

 

Additionally, taking into account the importance of preparation to success, Jordan Brand will outfit the team with the Jordan Trainer 1 Low. Created by Jordan footwear designers to help eliminate distractions on the practice field and in the weight room, the shoe enhances natural motion, comfort and increased sensory feedback. Speed flex technology in the midsole, Zoom Air in the heel and a Flyweave woven upper facilitate stability and support.

 

The Jordan Trainer 1 low “Michigan” will be available August 6 on Jordan.com and at The M Den, the official retailer of Michigan Athletics.

 

Stay tuned to Jordan.com and GoBlueHailMichigan.com for more information on the Michigan x Jordan partnership.

The post Michigan Football x Jordan Brand Unveil Official New Gear (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

Three years after debuting its initial NBA Legends collection, and less than a year after unveiling its inaugural NBA Future Legends collection, Stance is excited to announce its new pack of NBA Legends and Future Legends in a Cartoon style.

 

The Cartoon styles are designed to fit the aesthetic of both hardcore NBA fans and sock enthusiasts. More than that, from a performance perspective, they are engineered to be both durable and comfortable.

 

The six pairs, and seven players, vary widely in terms of when they played in the NBA and who they played for. There are four current players, aka Future Legends, featured in the collection: Anthony Davis, of the New Orleans Pelicans; James Harden, of the Houston Rockets; LeBron James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Stephen Curry, of the Golden State Warriors.

 

There is also a style that pays homage to Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, of the Chicago Bulls, and a style that co-stars the iconic Utah Jazz duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

 

Stance’s NBA Cartoon Legend and Current Players collection is now available at Stance.com. It will be also be available at Fanatics, Fanzz, Dicks Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, NBA Store, Lids and other key global retailers.

 

For more information on the NBA Cartoon collection and other upcoming hoop styles, be sure to keep it locked to @stancehoops. #stancehoops #theuncommonthread

The post Stance Announces New NBA Cartoon Socks (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

Hats with Bulls, Cavs, Knicks, Lakers and Warriors logos will be available.

More from the brand:

Mitchell & Ness Lollapalooza Dad Hat will be exclusively at The Artist Village and Lolla Bazaar.

 

 At the Artist Village tent music artists/celebs pick out their favorite limited edition hat. They will also be able to check out special NBA-branded product and take a photos via FotoFwd (a custom photo booth kiosk). Last but not least, Hip-Hop personality, Peter Rosenberg from Hot 97 will be onsite to engage with guests throughout the weekend.

 

For consumer/general admissions they will be able to purchase the limited edition Mitchell & Ness Lollapalooza Dad Hat at Lolla Bazaar. There will also be screens in the store to stream images from our backstage photo booth of celebrities in the headwear.

The post Mitchell & Ness Drop Limited Edition Dad Hats For Lollapalooza appeared first on SLAM.

Iverson, who signed to the brand’s Punks & Poets roster last year, helped design five different looks that feature known and unknown facets of Chuck’s iconic style for the sock powerhouse.

With odes to his playing days in Philly, legendary tattoos and tenacious style of play that has made him a hero to legions of undersized guards, the Allen Iverson collection has AI’s fingerprints all over it.

The gear is available now at Stance.com, DTLR, Foot Action, UBIQ and other major retailers

The post Stance Drops the Allen Iverson Collection appeared first on SLAM.

To get ready, Stadium Goods has linked up with HBO for a limited edition Ballers-inspired duffle bag. Before the show kicks off next week, head to Stadium Goods’ NYC location to pick up a bag.

Photo courtesy of Stadium Goods

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