A History of Jordan Signature Athletes

Earlier today, our own Nick DePaula broke the news that Chinese basketball star Guo Ailun will be receiving a signature shoe from Jordan Brand. Not only will Guo be the first international endorser with JB to have his name on a sneaker, he will join an elite fraternity of athletes to score their own Jumpman sig.

Just who is in that group? Peep the timeline below.

Michael Jordan

Year: 1984
Models: Air Jordan 1 – XXX1

The man that made signature sneakers fly literally and figuratively, originally inked with Nike in ’84 and made his line into his own brand in ’97. Over the course of the last three decades, Michael Jordan has remained relevant and revered both on and off the court, with his signature sneaker line keeping his name abuzz and shoes in stores.

Eddie Jones

Year: 1998
Models: Jumpman Pro Quick, Jumpman Swift 6, Jumpman Quick 6

When Brand Jordan first introduced their roster for the ’97-’98 season, the majority of endorsees were made in Michael’s image. A group of sharp, professional and athletic shooting guards were to carry on the Jumpman legacy. Eddie Jones’ smooth game and major market appeal made him the face of three signature shoes, while his compadres mostly carried the team line.

Vin Baker

Year: 1998
Models: Jumpman Pro Strong, Jumpman Vindicate

Resident big man on Jordan Brand, Vin Baker would carry the brand in the paint for the early years. While young faces like Kevin Garnett, Darius Miles and Blake Griffin would all lace Jordans in team and PE variety over the course of their careers, Vin would be the only true 4 to see his name stamp a Jumpman shoe in signature fashion.

Randy Moss

Year: 1999
Models: Jordan Super Freak, Jordan Mossified

Like Odell Beckham Jr.? Well, you would’ve loved Randy Moss if he’s before your time. If you caught him during the 2000s, then you remember Randy being flat out the most exciting player in the NFL. A hero on the hardwood during his West Virginia high school days with flashy point guard Jason Williams, Moss’s acrobatic catches made him exactly that for the JB roster. In Minnesota, Moss would land Eastbay covers, lace up PEs, Trainers and his own signatures, before eventually signing a deal with PONY.

Derek Jeter

Year: 2002
Models: Jumpman Turn 2, Jumpman DJ, Jumpman Jet, Jumpman Jeter Six4Three, Jumpman Jeter Official, Jumpman Jeter Vital, Jumpman Jeter Clutch, Jumpman Jeter Captain, Jordan Jeter Throwback, Jordan Jeter Cut, Jordan Jeter Legend, Jordan Jeter Lux, Jordan Jeter Lux 2.0

Following a foray with FILA upon entering the MLB, Jordan Brand scooped up Derek Jeter in 2002 for a winning run that would make the Captain JB’s longest tenured signature athlete not named Mike. Love the Yankee dandy? Check out his cleat history here.

Carmelo Anthony

Year: 2004
Models: Jordan Melo 1.5, Jordan Melo 5.5, Jordan Melo M3-M14

Y2K signings like Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson saw Jordan Brand adapting to the times and making their roster younger, fresher and more relevant. While the head-knocking Clippers couldn’t go wrong in the PE department, it was ultimately Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony that would be the young face of JB. Early signatures merged tech with retro roots, while later pairs packed Foamposite construction and streetball steeze.

Chris Paul

Year: 2008
Models: Jordan CP3-CP3.X

Mike Bibby was the first point guard to rock Air Jordan PEs in official fashion — aside from Penny Hardaway — but Chris Paul was the player that would define the position for the game and the brand well into the 2000s. After an early intro to the League with Nike, CP3 jumped to the Jumpman to start a signature series that’s spanned over ten models.

Dwyane Wade

Year: 2011
Models: Jordan Fly Wade 1 & 2

Chicago roots, poetic athleticism and a clean cut look made Dwyane Wade an easy endorser for Jordan Brand. Early on, Wade would carry the game shoe franchise with models like the Air Jordan 2010 and 2011. Eventually, he would score his own shoe and logos with the Fly Wade 1 and 2, before bolting to Li-Ning for a stake in their brand.

Russell Westbrook

Year: 2015
Models: Jordan Westbrook 0 & Jordan Westbrook 0.2

High fashion like Future Hendrix, Russell Westbrook broke the mold for JB by being the first athlete — and hooper period — to receive a signature shoe of their namesake built specifically for lifestyle wear. Like Dwyane Wade before him, Russ would be the official face of the Air Jordan franchise on the hardwood, but off of it he would sell his own casual-capable kicks inspired by his sense of style.

Guo Ailun

Year: 2017-18
Models: ???

Next in line? While Jordan Brand rewrote their formula with Russell Westbrook’s off court signature shoe, they’ll be entering new territory with Guo Ailun in China. Though most expect the swaggy guard to go to the NBA in the near future, it will be exciting to see a signature shoe debut overseas.