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With the NCAA Tournament rapping up tonight, we offer another edition of College Kicks on Court Classic. Yesterday you may have checked out the list of notable NCAA Men’s Basketball players of current and years past who have sported Air Jordans 1-10. Well, today we’ll continue on with the feature as we’ll focus on Air Jordan 11-XX.
To see for yourself, scroll through the pages below to enjoy.
Air Jordan 11
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 11 “Concord,” Air Jordan 11 “Space Jam” and Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”
Arguably the most recognizable silhouette within the entire Air Jordan lineage is the Air Jordan 11. Featuring striking materials of patent leather within the mudguard, this model has become a staple of both American culture and NCAA Men’s Basketball. We’ve witnessed the likes of Allen Iverson and Kemba Walker sport the model on occasion as well as NFL star Julius Peppers during his time playing hoops for UNC.
Furthermore, a custom of the Air Jordan 11 has been popular in Lexington, Kentucky as former Wildcat Willie Cauley-Stein debuted his during last season’s tournament.
Air Jordan 12
Notable Players: Kemba Walker, Kenyon Martin, Daniel Ewing, Sean May
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 12 White/Red, Air Jordan 12 “Flint Grey,” Air Jordan 12 “Melo,” Air Jordan 12 “French Blue”
The Air Jordan 12 has seemingly become synonymous with “winning” on the hardwood. Michael Jordan himself was able to secure his staggering fifth NBA championship in the model and several NCAA championship contenders have hit the court in various iterations of the makeup. With its retail presence felt within three different decades thus far, the Air Jordan 12 has been seen on the likes of Kemba Walker, Kenyon Martin and Kawhai Leonard just to name a few.
In addition, the Air Jordan 12 has looked well in team tones for universities such as UNC, in which 2005 MOP Sean May wore a White and Carolina Blue “Melo” makeup before they launched.
Air Jordan 13
Notable Players: Brandon Roy, Khalid El-Amin, Miles Simon, Rajon Rondo, D’Angelo Russell
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 13 “Flint,” Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game,” Air Jordan 13 “Wheat,” Air Jordan 13 “Grey Toe”
Much like any latter Air Jordan silhouette, the prevalence of younger demographics and ball players sporting the silhouette is vast. For instance, Khalid El-Amin of UCONN wore the “Flint” Air Jordan 13 during his tenure on campus within the late-90s and then by 2011 Austin Rivers of Duke wore the exact same colorway while the guard was a Duke Blue Devil.
Although the commonalities remain vast, the 2011 release of the “Playoff” Air Jordan 13 was popular as well as both Cleanthony Early and future Jordan Brand endorser Kawahi Leonard hit the NCAA tournament in the makeup.
Air Jordan 14
Notable Players: Winston Shepard, Richard “Rip” Hamilton, Ron Artest
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 14 “Black Toe,” Air Jordan 14 White/Red, Air Jordan 14 Low “Laney”
The Air Jordan 14 may be best known as the “push-off” silhouette, and while that nickname is strictly reserved for myself, the plethora of guards in the Air Jordan 14 speaks to its comfort. Ranging from the “Last Shot” to the “Wolf Grey,” the Air Jordan 14’s lower cut provides flexibility and comfort to guards looking to beat presses and confuse the defense with quick penetration into the painted area.
Future NBA rising star Jordan Clarkson ventured to Missouri and ultimately began wearing the “Wolf Grey” Air Jordan 14 among many other retro releases.
Air Jordan XV
Notable Players: Julius Peppers, James “Pat” Christopher, Gilbert Arenas
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan XV “Columbia,” Air Jordan XV Low
Within both the NBA and NCAA, the Air Jordan 15 is a “forgotten about” silhouette. Arriving during the transition from the old century to the new, the Air Jordan 15’s design features may have been too innovative to many. However, rumbling two-sport star Julius Peppers seemed to find joy in the silhouette as his “Columbia” makeup of the Air Jordan 15 was rather luxe.
Featuring a mostly white upper with accenting hints of Carolina blue, we are certain this defensive presence for the Green Bay Packers should still have that model in his stash somewhere.
Air Jordan XVI
Notable Players: Caron Butler, Richard Jefferson, Tony Wroten
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 16 Black/Red & Air Jordan 16 “Midnight Navy”
With its gaiter combing the upper and a semi-translucent outsole comprising the bottom, it’s easy to arrive at the assertion that the Jordan Brand was leaning towards “innovation” at the beginning of the 2000s. With a penchant for performance, the Air Jordan 16 would be worn by an array of future NBA stars.
The Air Jordan 16 would also prove a hit across the country as players from the Big East, ACC and Pac-10 all laced up this model during its initial run.
Air Jordan XVII
Notable Players: Caron Butler, Salim Stoudamire, TJ Ford
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 17 “College Blue,” Air Jordan 17 White/Red, Air Jordan 17+ “Copper”
To me personally, the Air Jordan 17 will forever be attached to Michael Vick, simply because of his 2002 scramble against the Minnesota Vikings in which he helped seal an overtime win for the Atlanta Falcons. Although that was incredible to many, a few Texans would beg to differ on who exactly made the Air Jordan 17 viable as TJ Ford lead the Texas Longhorns to their only Final Four appearance in the “Copper” colorway.
Setting numerous records and eventually garnering a retired number, TJ Ford did plenty for the Texas Longhorns and the Air Jordan 17+. In addition to Ford, another Big-12 member laced up the black and chrome colorway and that was Markel Brown, formerly of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Air Jordan XVIII
Notable Players: Keith Langford, Sean May
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 18 Black/Royal, Air Jordan 18 UNC PE
The Air Jordan 18 had some of the best print promotional ads of any sneaker that comes to mind as Michael Jordan was drifting towards his eventual and final retirement. Seemingly shifting form the distinct and sometimes gaudy “innovation” of years past, the Air Jordan 18 would take on a subdued approach that boded well for plenty of collegiate teams and players.
Perhaps the most impressive Air Jordan 18 to see NCAA action was that of Sean May’s UNC PE.
Air Jordan XIX
Notable Players: Ben Gordon, Sean May, Rudy Gay, Chris Paul
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 19 White/Grey, Air Jordan 19 White/Red, Air Jordan 19 SE
Arriving in both inline form and SE form, the Air Jordan 19 was outfitted by some of the best players of the prior era. For starters, Ben Gordon helped lead the UCONN Huskies to a 2004 National Championship in the white and grey Air Jordan 19 that coincided smoothly with the UCONN uniforms.
The very next season, Chris Paul would take on the competition in the black and gold Air Jordan 19 SE that features patent leather along the forefoot and striking hues of gold along the upper.
Air Jordan XX
Notable Players: Jamaal Franklin, Devin Bookert, Skylar Spencer
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 20 “Quickstrike,” Air Jordan 20 “Stealth,” Air Jordan 20 “Chutney”
Upon its initial release, the Air Jordan 20 was an incredibly polarizing silhouette, much like any respective Air Jordan model that is unveiled. However, as time has progressed, the model has aged well as plenty of hoops stars continue to take the floor in the Air Jordan 20.
From coast to coast, we’ve witnessed Florida State guards and San Diego State big men lace up the towering silhouette as recent retro releases such as the “Stealth” update have boded well for the brand and consumers alike.
