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As the amateur athletes begin to get their kicks ready for tonight’s action, we’ve decided to unveil another week of stellar College Kicks On Court Classic features as this week we’ll chronicle notable hoopers of years past that have worn Air Jordan silhouettes.
Starting from 1 through 10, the list is vast and the amount of All-American nods is reaching darn near infinite levels as well, as Air Jordans have been a staple of American hoops culture for three decades now. To see for yourself, scroll through the pages below to enjoy.
Air Jordan 1
Notable Players: Patrick Christopher, Draymond Green, Shannon Scott, Andrew Andrews and Alandise Harris
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 1 “Celtics,” Air Jordan 1 Mid White/Red, Air Jordan 1 Black/Gold and Air Jordan 1 Mid White/White
The Air Jordan 1 may arguably be the toughest silhouette to hit the court within the Air Jordan lineage due to its minimal structure and rigidity. However, some brave souls have looked to stunt in the Air Jordan 1, specifically the Mids that released within 2014. Those players included the likes of Ohio State’s Shannon Scott and Arkansas’ Alandise Harris.
Although the Air Jordan 1 would kickoff the lineage, it ranks low within the amount of exposure with “on-court” action.
Air Jordan 2
Notable Players: Tyler Ulis, Devin Booker, Kemba Walker and D’Angelo Russell
Notable Makeups: Just Don x Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 2 “Candy Pack”, Air Jordan 2 “UNC”
There arguably hasn’t been a more noteworthy appearance on College KOC than when the freshman duo of Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker sported the recently released Just Don x Air Jordan 2. Coinciding with their “Kentucky Blue” road uniforms, this duo sported them against SEC foe, the Florida Gators.
Furthermore, Booker would bring them out once again during the Final Four.
Air Jordan 3
Notable Player(s): Dexter Strickland, Salim Stoudamire, Stanley Johnson, Isaiah Thomas
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 3 “True Blue,” Air Jordan 3 White/Cement, Air Jordan 3 Custom, Air Jordan 3 “BHM”
The Air Jordan 3 is an iconic silhouette due to its universal appeal and eclectic construction with “elephant print” combing the toe box and heel counters, respectively. Its finest moment within the collegiate ranks came in the form of a “commitment” as former Arizona Wildcat and current Detroit Piston Stanley Johnson announced his decision to attend UA with a pair of custom Air Jordan 3s.
In addition, the black and cement iteration of the Air Jordan 3 was donned by stealthy left hander Salim Stoudamire during the Pac-10 tournament of years past.
Air Jordan 4
Notable Players: Marcus Jordan, Isaiah Thomas, Tony Wroten, Tekele Cotton
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 4 White/Cement, Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat,” Air Jordan 4 “Tour Yellow”
During the 2012-2013 season, the Air Jordan 4 was the go-to model of that campaign due to the “then” recent release of the Air Jordan 4 White/Cement. Worn by future NBA first round picks Tony Wroten and Shabazz Napier, MJ’s son himself, Marcus Jordan also wore the model in question as well.
Also, current NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas wore the 2006 Air Jordan 4 “Black Cat” during the Pac-12 Tournament back in 2011.
Air Jordan 5
Notable Players: Marcus Jordan, Jason Gardner, Tony Wroten
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 5 “Bin 23,” Air Jordan 5 White/Silver-Fire Red, Air Jordan 5 “Grape”
Is it an unfair advantage for Michael Jordan to be your father when it comes to realm of “notable footwear?” You’re darn right it is. However, as my father told me once before: you can never hate the player, hate the game. And with Marcus Jordan arriving plenty of times within this fleet of notable players, his most recognizable gem might be the “BIN” Air Jordan 5.
Arriving in luxe black leather, this model is known for its white laces and rather simplistic scheme.
Air Jordan 6
Notable Players: Jordan Clarkon, Aqeel Quinn, Chris Tapley and Joel James
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 6 Black/Varsity Red, Air Jordan 6 Low “Chrome,” Air Jordan 6 Custom
Several UNC players have been known to sport custom Air Jordans during their time in Chapel Hill such as J.P. Tokoto and Joel James. The latter name brought out this UNC-specific custom of the Air Jordan 6 with tonal accents of “Carolina Blue” throughout the upper.
Also, we’ve witnessed the low-top model of the 6th Air Jordan signature make its way on the court when Chris Tapley brought it out against the Arizona Wildcats.
Air Jordan 7
Notable Players: Kemba Walker, Jordan Clarkson, Marcus Jordan, Hasheem Thabeet
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 7 “Hare,” Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” and Air Jordan 7 “Bin 23”
The Ari Jordan 7 may have easily been the most accessible Air Jordan of recent years, as a bevy of notable colorways have emerged at retailers. For starters, back in 2012 the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” would grace the shelves and 2015 witnessed the return of the “Hare” makeup and launch of the “Nothing But Net” colorway as well.
In the grand scheme of things, Marcus Jordan continued to dazzle with the “Bin 23” Air Jordan 7 he wore during a contest against the East Carolina Pirates.
Air Jordan 8
Notable Players: Michael Beasley, Corey Brewer, Andrew Harrison, Cleanthony Early
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 8 “Aqua,” Air Jordan 8 “Playoff,” Air Jordan 8 “Doernbecher”
Although Michael Beasley would have what some consider to be a “BUST” of an NBA career, his collegiate tenure at Kansas State was anything but as his double-double average had him in on Nasmith Watch his entire freshman season. During his only appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Beasley would sport the recently released Air Jordan 8 “Aqua” against the USC Trojans. Despite his efforts, the Wildcats would not advance far within the 2007 NCAA Men’s Tournament.
Nearly a decade later, Andrew Harrison of the Kentucky Wildcats would shock us all by rocking the “Doernbecher” Air Jordan 8 during a 2015 contest in Lexington.
Air Jordan 9
Notable Players: Carmelo Anthony, Ryan Boatright, Caron Butler
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 9 “Anthracite,” Air Jordan 9 “Kilroy,” Air Jordan 9 Low “Pearl”
Before Carmelo Anthony became a Jordan Brand member prior to his debut within the NBA, he captivated us all with the low top variation of the Air Jordan 9 and then hitting MSG in the mid cut Air Jordan 9.
The appearances of the Air Jordan 9 would involve three different decades ranging from Derrick Phelps to Ryan Boatright.
Air Jordan 10
Notable Players: Jerry Stackhouse, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell
Notable Makeups: Air Jordan 10 “Royal,” Air Jordan 10 “Doernbecher,” Air Jordan 10 “Ice Blue”
The Air Jordan 10 would be a popular makeup during NCAA title games, as several notable players have secured championships in the silhouette. For starters, Raymond Felton helped lead the 2005 North Carolina Tar Heels to a title in the “Ice Blue” Air Jordan 10 and nearly ten years later, Anthony Davis helped bring Coach Cal his first National Championship in the “Royal” makeup of the aforementioned silhouette.
Lastly, current Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell donned the “Doernbecher” Air Jordan 10.
