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It seems like Midnight Madness was only yesterday, but alas, March Madness is upon us. As faithful fans across the country await Selection Sunday and the Big Dance, Conference Tournaments will take place all week as both the prequel and decider for said celebrations.
As we prepare for a month full of College Kicks on Court action, we’re rewinding the clock all week to celebrate the biggest collegiate sneakerheads of the past by conference. To kick things off, see some of our favorite Big East alums to bring out the heat back in their heydays.
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson in the Air Jordan 11 “Concord” Allen Iverson in the Nike Air Max StrongCollege: Georgetown (1994-1996)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 11 “Concord” & Nike Air Max Strong
After battling adversity prior to venturing to Georgetown, Allen Iverson was pegged by many to be one of the more highly-touted prep prospects in recent memory. Dominating the iconic Nike Camp, Iverson would later spend two season with the Hoyas in which he would dominate the Big East and turn in stellar outings and notable footwear such as the “Concord” Air Jordan 11s.
In fact, his presence with the Hoyas would be so memorable that many would consider his tenure their reason to enjoy kicks, such as Matt Harvey of the New York Mets.
Ray Allen
Ray Allen in the Nike Air Max Uptempo 96 Ray Allen in the Nike Air Max Uptempo 95 Ray Allen in the Nike Air Penny 1College: UCONN (1993-1996)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Air Penny 1, Nike Air Max Uptempo models
Before he was repping Team Jordan in the pros, Ray Allen was rocking Pennys and Tempos while getting buckets at UCONN. A star in Storrs and a success at the next level, Ray’s shoe game has been A-1 since Day 1.
At UCONN, Allen would be an All-American talent with an All-World shoe game. This became quite common for Huskies in the future.
Ron Artest
Ron Artest in the Jordan Jumpman Team Two Ron Artest in the Nike Air Uptempo Max ’98 & Air Jordan 14 “Black Toe”College: St. John’s (1997-1999)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 14 “Black Toe,” Jordan Team One & Jordan Team Two
Before becoming a NBA champion and eventually conioussuer of “name change,” the basketball player formerly known as Ron Artest was merely a fiesty forward from Queensbridge. Deciding to stay close to him, Artest would play for the St. John’s Red Storm, who at the time became one of the few programs endorsed by the Jordan Brand.
Spending time in various team-iteration of the Jumpman Team One and Two, Artest may have been known for his eclectic measures such as sporting both the Air Jordan 14 and Nike Air Max Uptempo ’98 at the same time.
Rip Hamilton
Rip Hamilton in the Nike Zoom Flight ’98 “The Glove” Rip Hamilton in the Nike Air Penny 2 “Atlantic Blue” Rip Hamilton in the Air Jordan 14 White/Red (photo by John Biever) Rip Hamilton in the Nike Son of Glove Rip Hamilton in the Nike Air Foamposite One “Dark Neon Royal”College: UCONN (1996-1999)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 14, Nike Air Foamposite One, Nike Air Zoom Flight 98 “The Glove”, Nike Air Penny II & Nike Air Penny IV
As a “milennial” plenty of those within my generation will solely know “Rip” Hamilton for his quirky free throw mechanics, stellar midrange game, and the iconic mask for sported during his tenure in Detroit. However, for our older hoops lovers, Hamilton was a UCONN standout that helped usher in the era of notable footwear, post-Ray Allen.
Rocking an array of Nike Basketball staples, Hamilton spent time in Storrs rocking the Air Jordan 14, Nike Air Penny II, and the Nike Air Penny IV, just to name a few.
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony in the Nike Zoom Ultraflight Carmelo Anthony in the Nike Shox Supremacy Carmelo Anthony in the Air Jordan 9 Low “Pearl”College: Syracuse (2002-2003)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Zoom Ultraflight, Air Jordan 9 & Nike Shox Supremacy
‘Melo, ‘Melo, ‘Melo. Looking at you now and it’s tough to imagine that you once held a “title” in your hands denoting your squad as champions on your respective field, but with your adverse circumstances piling up in New York it’s easy to see why. However, of all people, you can turn things around and with that in mind, Carmelo Anthony is the next sneakerhead on our list.
Helping defeat the Kansas Jayhawks in the National Championship during his only year on campus, Carmelo Anthony would develop his game in the Air Jordan 9, Nike Zoom Ultraflight and the Nike Shox Supremacy.
Caron Butler
Caron Butler in the Air Jordan 9 Caron Butler in the Air Jordan 17 and Taliek Brown in the Air Jordan 3 “True Blue” Caron Butler in the Air Jordan 16College: UCONN (2000-2002)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 16, Air Jordan 17, Air Jordan 9
Is UCONN just the go-to school for swingmen with crazy kick game? Yes, yes, it is. Caron Butler proved such by rocking retro and new Jordans on the regular during his short stay.
An eventual lottery pick, like Ray, Rip and Rudy, Caron would elevate his sneaker prowess and hoop game at the next level, too.
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing in the Nike Dynasty Patrick Ewing in the Nike TerminatorCollege: Georgetown (1981-1985)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Air Force One High, Nike Dynasty, Nike Terminator & Nike Legend
I’m certain few people realize that Patrick Ewing is from Boston, Massachusetts. Considering he spent a majority of his playing career dominating with the Knicks, it was a stark surprise that the highly-touted center would head to the DC-area and play for coach John Thompson. As plenty of fans remember, he was the most sought after prospect on the East coast since Lew Alcindor and his arrival at Georgetown created a frenzy of bonafide hoops within the Big East.
Becoming a true anchor, Ewing would rock the Nike Air Force One High, Nike Dynasty, Nike Terminator and Nike Legend while he was a Hoya.
Khalid El-Amin
Khalid El-Amin in the Nike Air Vis Zoom Uptempo Khalid El-Amin in the Air Jordan 13 “Flint” Khalid El-Amin in the Nike Son of GloveCollege: UCONN (1997-2000)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Air Penny II, Nike Air Zoom “The Glove,” Air Jordan 13 “Flint,” Nike Air Max Uptempo & Nike Air Garnett 3
Plenty of basketball enthusiasts may forget about the stocky and steady Khalid El-Amin, but many of my sneakerheads understand that he was one of the more decorated sneakerheads during his time. Easily having the most versatile fleet of footwear, El-Amin would be seen in the Nike Air Penny II, Nike Air Garnett 3 and the Air Jordan 13.
Although he may not have been one of the more premier players in UCONN history on an NBA level, his level of showmanship and passion continues to bode well as he is beloved on campus.
Ben Gordon
Ben Gordon in the Nike Air Signature Player Ben Gordon in the Nike Air Foamposite Pro Royal/BlackCollege: UCONN (2001-2004)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 19, Nike Air Foamposite Pro
Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor were like the college equivalent to Kobe and Shaq. A one-two punch that could dominate the perimeter and attack the paint, this duo helped lead UCONN to a National Championship in 2004.
Rocking his usual Air Jordan 19 silhouette throughout the season, Ben Gordon would help bolster the “sneakerhead” mentality of UCONN and potentially facilitate my love for t-shirts under the jerseys.
Kemba Walker
Kemba Walker in the Air Jordan 12 “Flu Game” Kemba Walker in the Air Jordan 12 White/Red Kemba Walker in the Air Jordan 7 “Olympic” Kemba Walker in the Air Jordan 11 “Cool Grey”College: UCONN (2008-2011)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 7, Air Jordan 11, Air Jordan 12, Jordan 6-17-23 & Nike Zoom LeBron 6
It’s been approximately five years since Kemba Walker led the UCONN Huskies from the Big East Tournament all the way to a National Title. And in many respects, that Pittsburgh center should still be falling as Walker’s iconic crossover is still a viral hit on the internet to this day. Ultimately those moments should’ve been expected from Walker as the Bronx native dazzled us all as soon as he arrived on campus.
Known for his dancing abilities and heady play, Walker would arguably be the largest sneakerhead in UCONN history as his litany of Air Jordan retros are better expressed visually that within words.
Allan Ray
Allan Ray in the Jordan Dub Zero Allan Ray in the Air Jordan 10 “Steel” Allan Ray in the Jordan Melo 5.5 Allan Ray in the Nike Zoom LeBron IIICollege: Villanova (2002-2006)
Notable Kicks On Court: Air Jordan 10, Nike Zoom LeBron II, Nike Zoom LeBron III & Jordan Dub Zero
It was beyond unfortunate for Allan Ray to suffer the horrific eye injury during the Big East tournament that ultimately shifted the narrative on this stellar shooter. Helping fortify the Wildcats of the mid-2000s, Ray would rock a ton of Nike LeBron silhouettes such as the 2 and 3, in a myriad of colors; while also taking the hardwood in the Jordan Dub Zero and the Air Jordan 10.
Unlike his teammates Randy Foye and Kyle Lowry, who have found steady careers in the NBA, Ray continues to prosper oversees to the delight of many.
Rudy Gay
Rudy Gay in the Air Jordan 19 SE Rudy Gay in the Nike Zoom LeBron III Rudy Gay in the Nike Zoom Huarache 64College: UCONN (2004-2006)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Zoom LeBron III, Nike Air Zoom Huarache 64, Nike LeBron 20-5-5, Air Jordan 13, Air Jordan 14, Air Jordan 19, Air Jordan 19 SE & Air Jordan 20
Rudy Gay was a polarizing figure in college and continues to be a polarizing figure within the NBA. Employing a skill-set that could make him a perennial All-Star, the Baltimore native has found a certain niche in the league that has been under appreciated by many. Although his play can irk some, his footwear should never do that, as he is one of the more prominent Kicks On Court members the league has to offer.
In fact, his repertoire is so stellar, he is an alumnus of our very own Sneak Peek franchise and alluded to some of his footwear that he sported in college, such as the Air Jordan 13 and Air Jordan 19.
Hasheem Thabeet
Hasheem Thabeet in the Air Jordan 7 “Hare” Hasheem Thabeet in the Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2k4College: UCONN (2006-2009)
Notable Kicks On Court: Nike Zoom LeBron IV, Nike LeBron 20-5-5, Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4, Air Jordan 7 “Hare” & Nike Zoom BB II
Hasheem Thabeet is a case study for many: seemingly a can’t miss big man that was cut from the same cloth of many former Big East anchors, but yet couldn’t find a steady home in the NBA despite being picked No.2 overall.
But during his time on campus, Thabeet made the big men feel like guards as his notable retros, such as the Air Jordan 7 made their way to the court on a multitude of occasions during his dominant play.
