Jordan Brand just added four young NBA ballers to its athlete roster.

The namesake brand of NBA icon Michael Jordan announced via Instagram late Friday that it has welcomed rookies Jared McCain, Dalton Knecht, Stephon Castle and Ja’Kobe Walter to its family. “Signed. Sealed. Now We Deliver,” the caption announcing the signings read.

Terms of their deals, however, were not revealed.

McCain was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 16th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 guard played college basketball at Duke. During both the preseason and the regular season, McCain has worn the Air Jordan 39, which NBA star Paolo Banchero debuted during the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs in April.

As for Knecht, he was selected with the 17th pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. He is a 6-foot-6 guard who played for Tennessee in college. Knecht has laced up the Air Jordan 39 and the Luka 2 during the preseason and regular season.

Castle, a 6-foot-6 guard who played college hoops at UConn, was selected No. 4 overall by the San Antonio Spurs. During the preseason and into the regular season, Castle has worn the Air Jordan 39 and the Tatum 2.

Walter was selected No. 19 overall by the Toronto Raptors. The 6-foot-5 guard played college basketball at Baylor. Walter has been sidelined to start the season with an injury.

The four promising young hoopers are now part of a stacked Jordan Brand roster of athletes that includes top-tier NBA talent, such as Jayson Tatum, Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson and others.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.

Jordan Brand will reportedly refreshen a concept used on past designs with the release of an Air Jordan 1 coated in multiple layers of paint.

According to Sole Retriever, an Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression” colorway is on the way. As its name suggests, the pair will allow the wearer to express themselves by customizing the look of the sneaker however they see fit. The shoe will reportedly come with a black top layer which peels away to show a multicolor mid-layer before finally revealing a white innermost material. 

Nike and Jordan Brand have featured similar wear-away paint on past sneaker releases. Notable pairs include 2014’s Lance Mountain x Nike SB x Air Jordan 1, which was released in both black and white-covered painted styles and revealed original Air Jordan 1 colorways beneath. Similarly, Nike SB revisited the concept in 2019 with the Air Jordan 1 SB “LA to Chicago” and “NYC to Paris” styles. 

And the layered paint treatment isn’t solely used by Nike. A staple of Maison Margiela’s designs, the label has previously collaborated on Converse Chuck Taylors with caked-on paint that cracks away to show solid colors underneath. Designer Boris Bidjan Saberi has employed similar methods on his footwear collaborations with Salomon. 

In related news, several upcoming Air Jordan sneakers recently had their release dates postponed. Affected pairs include the highly anticipated Union x Air Jordan 1 and new colorways of the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4s, among others. 

Although in-hand images of the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG “Self Expression” have yet to surface, more specifics about the shoe are already known. The pair “Black/Black/Summit White” colorway is scheduled to release in full family sizing with a current launch window of fall 2025. Adult sizes will retail for $180. 

Trae Young opened the Atlanta Hawks’ season Wednesday night wearing the Air Jordan 39 rather than his own Adidas signature following reports that the German brand has decided to end his signature line.

Young had previously been photographed wearing Anta sneakers in a Hawks pre-season practice after wearing the Adidas Trae Young 3 for his Media Day obligations. Renderings for the Trae Young 4, which would be his final Adidas sneaker, have leaked along with a reported spring 2025 release date.

Adidas is planning to end Young’s signature line following his fourth sneaker, according to a September report from Sole Retriever. Young has been an Adidas athlete for his entire NBA career, beginning with his rookie year in 2018, and a contract extension signed in 2020 saw his signature line begin a year later. His most recent sneaker, the Trae Young 3, launched in August 2023.

Representatives for Adidas didn’t respond to a request for comment for Footwear News’ initial story on Young wearing Anta, and FN has reached out to the brand again Thursday. This post will be updated if a comment is given.

The Trae Young 1 debuted during a period of ascendency for the Hawks point guard, as he helped the team to a surprise appearance in the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals. He was then named to the All-NBA Third Team the following season and was selected for the All-Star Game for the third time this year, but the Hawks haven’t won a playoff series since 2021 and missed the postseason altogether in 2024.

Anthony Edwards is now poised to be Adidas’ marquee basketball star — if he isn’t already. His first signature sneaker, which has been called (somewhat confusingly) both the AE 1 and Anthony Edwards 1, has been widely praised and sold out in the first several colorways released at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024.

Edwards’ boisterous Adidas ads have also drawn attention, including a new spot from this week that drew a subliminal response from Nike.

The Hawks won the season-opener with a 120-116 score over the Brooklyn Nets, with Young putting up 30 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Nostalgia is set to run especially deep with the Air Jordan release slate for November.

Leading the charge is the return of the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement,” universally considered one of the most iconic sneakers of all-time. Another banner pair of Js will return with the Air Jordan 11 “Bred,” albeit with a new twist that sees its upper constructed with velvet.

The month will also see revivals for original Air Jordan 9 and Air Jordan 14 colorways, as well as an edition of the Air Jordan 3 that debuted to much fanfare in 2013 and hasn’t returned since.

Below, Footwear News takes you through all the Air Jordan releases confirmed for November. This post will be updated as new information becomes available.

Air Jordan 14 “Black Toe”

Release Date: November 2
Price: $210
SKU: 487471-160
As the first colorway to release for the Air Jordan 14, “Black Toe” will now get its third retro release and first in a decade. A combination of smooth leather and a suede toe box make this year’s reissue the closest yet to the original.

Air Jordan 4 “Fear”

Release Date: November 9
Price: $215
SKU: FQ8138-002
Another long hiatus is coming to end with the return of the Air Jordan 4 “Fear,” which debuted in 2013 as part of a series including the Air Jordan 3 and Air Jordan 5 and hasn’t released again since.

Air Jordan 11 “Bred Velvet”

Release Date: November 11
Price: $230
SKU: DB5457-061
The Air Jordan 11 “Bred” is one of the most beloved of all the Air Jordans, as Michael wore them for the first title run in his second three-peat. While the sneaker has been brought back as a retro quite frequently, it now gets a new velvet makeover for a women’s-exclusive release.

Air Jordan 9 “Olive”

Release Date: November 16
Price: $210
SKU: FQ8992-030
The Air Jordan 9 “Olive” was a rare sneaker to deviate from team friendly colorways when it launched during the model’s original run in 1994. It now returns for the first time since 2012, which drew criticism for its deviation from the OG.

Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement”

Release Date: November 23
Price: $220
SKU: DN3707-010
One of the most anticipated sneaker releases of 2024 finally touches down, as the iconic Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” returns to shelves. Just like the 2018 retro, it features the original “Nike Air” branding that sneakerheads demand, but a few more subtle tweaks bring it closer to the original 1988 specs.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

The upcoming “Black Cat” Air Jordan 3 Retro isn’t coming alone. In addition to the all-black iteration of Michael Jordan’s third signature sneaker, its all-white “Pure Money” counterpart will also reportedly be returning for the first time ever next year.

Originally released in 2007, the “Pure Money” Air Jordan 3 Retro followed the theme laid out by 2006’s Air Jordan 4 of the same name. The white-and-metallic silver sneakers don a nearly tonal white design which is offset only by minor gray and silver accents. 

Like their “Black Cat” counterpart, the “Pure Money” Air Jordan 3 features shoelaces printed with the model’s signature elephant print design. Both pairs also include their nicknames in embroidery — “Pure $,” in the case of the white look — hidden behind the heel tab. Unlike the black pair, the “Pure Money” style does not feature a patent leather mudguard.

After introducing the “Black Cat” and “Pure Money” themes on the Air Jordan 4 Retro in ’06, Jordan Brand carried the concept over to the Air Jordan 3 Retro in ’07. The “Pure Money” pair led the way with a May ’07 launch followed by the arrival of the “Black Cat” in June ’07. 

To this day, neither Air Jordan 3 has seen a rerelease from Jordan Brand, but that’s set to change next year. The “Pure Money” and “Black Cat” Air Jordan 4s were reissued in 2017 and 2020, respectively. The “Black Cat” Air Jordan 4 is also expected to return in ’25.

According to @zsneakerheadz, the Air Jordan 3 Retro “Pure Money” will rerelease for the first time in 18 years during fall 2025. It’s worth noting that several Air Jordan releases have recently been reportedly pushed back, so it’s possible the launch window for this pair could change between now and then. 

This story will be updated with new developments. For now, readers can view the ’07 iteration below.

Jordan Brand’s Flight Club: The FN Cover Shoot

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The mere mention of Union offering a new take on its Air Jordan 1 High collaboration from 2018 has been enough to inspire buzz well ahead of a February 2025 releasee date, and that excitement is only going to increase now that the sneaker has been seen for the first time.

Photos of Union’s 2025 Air Jordan 1 High reveal just how the collaboration will mash up the model’s original “Chicago” and “Shadow” colorways from 1985. As seen in images from the Instagram user @sharkicks1, who obtained a pair of the sneakers early, the majority of the Air Jordan 1 is dressed in the red, white and black arrangement frequently worn by Michael Jordan from 1985 to 1986. The collar the adopts the color-blocking of “Shadow,” a grey and black colorway from the seminal sneakers’ original run but that was not worn by Jordan on the court because of uniform regulations.

Black suede and grey leather form the collar, and blue stitching emphasizes the Frankenstein-like idea of cobbling two shoes together. Just like Union’s two Air Jordan 1 Highs from 2018, a “UN/LA” yellow hangtag is affixed to the collar’s lateral side, and the laces are split into two distinct sections through a switch from cream to black. The midsole also takes on an off-white aged look rather than appearing in pristine white, and the insole features the same blueprint-style graphic from its predecessors.

While Union, an influential streetwear boutique that began in New York City and has long since been stationed in Los Angeles, has been collaborating with Nike since 2005, its first Jordan Brand collaboration didn’t come until 2018. For its debut, Union mashed up the Air Jordan 1’s original “Black Toe” and “Natural Grey” colorways, as well as “Kentucky” and “Bred.” Those two sneakers remain the most coveted of its Air Jordan collaborations now that the list has grown, even well ahead of the Air Jordan 4 “Off Noir” and “Guava Ice” that could be considered the next runners up.

Prior to today’s leak, Union’s forthcoming Air Jordan 1 mash-up had only been shown through speculative mock-ups, which incorrectly rendered the stitching in yellow.

Union’s next Air Jordan 1 High, which we can call “Chicago Shadow’ for now, will release February 12, likely through the Snkrs app and Union’s website. (The two releases could be spread across two dates, however.) Pricing is set at $200.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Tom Hardy took to the New York City premiere of “Venom: The Last Dance” Monday night wearing a high-profile Air Jordan collaboration from nearly a decade ago.

Continuing a streak of strong choices for the film’s promotional tour, Hardy wore the Supreme x Air Jordan 5 “Desert Camo” sneaker. The 2015 sneaker was one of three colorways that marked Supreme’s first-ever collaboration with Jordan Brand. Camouflage suede dresses the upper, and “94” embroidery near the lateral heel denotes the founding year of Supreme while replacing Michael Jordan’s no. 23. Half of Supreme’s logo can also be made out beneath the TPU side netting, and it appears on the lace toggle as well. Co-branding then features beneath the translucent outsole, as well as on the insole and inner tongue.

In addition to the “Desert Camo” colorway, more muted white and black editions of the collaborative sneaker also released at the same time. Nine years later, resale prices for all three come in around $500 or $600 on platforms such as StockX. The original retail price was $180.

During a Friday panel at New York Comic Con, Hardy opted for the Union x Air Jordan 4 “30th Anniversary Desert Moss” sneaker from 2021. That colorway is the least in-demand of Union’s four Air Jordan 4 editions that released in 2020 and 2021.

Hardy then wore another Air Jordan 4 earlier last week at a “Venom” fan event in Naucalpan de Juarez, Mexico, opting for the Air Jordan 4 “Bred Reimagined” that released earlier this year. Playing on one of the model’s original colorways form 1989, the sneaker switched from nubuck to tumbled leather for its upper and has been one of the most coveted of Air Jordan retros to release in 2024.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Update: Oct. 20, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. ET:

It’s been nearly a full month since reports of a 2025 “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro first surfaced and now, a first look at the upcoming sneaker release has hit the internet.

As expected, the ’25 release features a “Washed Coral/Gym Red/Sail” colorway which translates to a faded pink aesthetic on the shoe. The leather upper is colored in Washed Coral while a matching satin material fills in the eyelet panel. The shoe’s signature elephant print overlays are treated to an etched metallic look, while the outsole is finished in a translucent Washed Coral rubber.

However, the highlight of the shoe is arguably its Gym Red color, which manifests on both the lower and upper eyelets and in the form of actual gems attached to the shoes. Keychain-like red trinkets come arranged on the laces in diamond and ruby shapes giving the shoe a proper V-Day look.

While images of this “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro have emerged months early, the sneaker is likely only a sampling of what Nike, Inc. has planned for the romantic holiday. Much like the soon-to-be-released Halloween styles, the brand regularly issues Valentine’s Day-themed footwear collections.

Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to lace up this pair. The Air Jordan 3 Retro “Valentine’s Day” is a women’s-exclusive colorway expected to release in advance of the holiday on Feb. 5. It will reportedly retail for $215. This story will be updated if anything changes. In the meantime, readers can peruse the details below.

What We Originally Reported on Sept. 26, 2024

Like many holidays, Valentine’s Day has offered a trove of themed sneakers over the years, a trend that will continue in 2025 with a new-look Air Jordan 3 Retro.

First rumored in April, a new mock-up of the “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 has surfaced which is reportedly an accurate depiction of what’s headed to retail come February. Using a “Washed Coral/Gym Red/Sail” palette, this Air Jordan 3 is covered nearly entirely in a faded pink shade which even fills in the shoe’s signature elephant print overlays.

Red is expected to be used conservatively, appearing only on the bottom and top eyelets, the tongue Jumpman branding and perhaps the heel — although the last detail is not visible in the latest mock-up image. The midsole, sole and middle eyelets of this Air Jordan 3 are colored in an off-white sail shade. 

For years, various athletic footwear brands have marketed Valentine’s Day-themed sneakers around the holiday. Nike has arguably had some of the most memorable, with highlights including the Strangelove x SB Dunk Lows and various Air Force 1s.

In 2018, Jordan Brand went all-in on the heartwarming holiday with an all-red Air Jordan 8 Retro which featured “loves me” and “loves me not” text scribed underneath its distinctive support straps. And in 2013, the Air Jordan 5 received a shimmery “Gym Red/Ion Pink” makeover which was adorned with  heart-shaped basketball embroidery. 

Another holiday ripe with themed sneaker releases is Halloween. This year alone, Nike and Jordan Brand have lined up several buzzworthy styles including the “X-ray” Kobe 5 Protro, special colorways of the Book 1 and Ja 2, Air Force 1s and Dunks and glow-in-the-dark Air Jordan 1 Lows. 

With an expected release date of Feb. 5, there will be enough lead time for readers to pick up a pair of the “Valentine’s Day” Air Jordan 3 Retro for the special someone in their life. The women’s-exclusive colorway has a SKU of HJ0178-600 and will come at a retail price of $215. This story will be updated with more details as they’re confirmed.

Jordan Brand’s Flight Club: The FN Cover Shoot

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The sneaker that started it all is coming back soon.

Jordan Brand posted a photo of a crumpled up letter to Instagram Friday that suggests the return of the Air Jordan 1 High “Banned,” aka “Bred.” Bits and pieces of the letter that can be read match that of the one sent from the NBA to Nike in 1985 informing the company that his black and red sneakers didn’t conform to the league’s uniform regulations. The date of that letter is February 25, 1985 — and the Air Jordan 1 “Banned” is widely expected to release in February 2025 for the shoe’s 40th anniversary.

For its return, the Air Jordan 1 “Banned” is expected to release with a more premium leather and construction truer to the original model including a higher cut.

The mythos of the Air Jordan 1 is partly built upon a lie. Michael Jordan wasn’t wearing his own sneakers when he drew fines from the NBA, but rather the Nike Air Ship in the same black and red color scheme. Jordan never even wore the Air Jordan 1 “Banned” in an NBA game, instead opting for the regulation-safe “Chicago” and “Black Toe” variants, the latter of which is also returning in 2025. The only NBA capacity in which Jordan wore the “Banned” sneaker was the 1985 NBA Dunk Contest, which he famously won as a rookie.

Such details didn’t stop Nike from leaning into the obvious marketing opportunity that the league’s stance generated. Nike even went so far as to insinuate that the Air Jordan 1 was too good of a shoe for the NBA, rather than merely appearing in the wrong colors, while pointing out that there was nothing to stop the public from wearing the sneaker.

The Air Jordan 1 “Banned” has only released six times in total, the last time being in 2016. The 2011 retro release added an “X” on the heel to lean into the ‘Banned” nickname, and reissues also followed in 1994 and 2013 following the original release in April 1985.

The Air Jordan 1 High “Banned” is expected to release February 14, 2025, through the Snkrs app and select third-party retailers. Pricing will come in higher than usual at $250.

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About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

After the early success of the Nigel Sylvester-fronted Air Jordan 4 RM model, it looks like Jordan Brand will be bringing the same concept to a new shoe in 2025.

This time, it’s the Air Jordan 7 that will reportedly receive the RM treatment. According to Sneaker Files, which shared an early look at the sneaker, the Air Jordan 7 RM will arrive during fall ’25 in a debut colorway reminiscent of the original model’s “Dark Charcoal” (aka “Raptors”) style. 

Current details are scant, but the first-look image offers an idea of what to expect from the Air Jordan 7 RM. Like the Air Jordan 4 RM, the shoe uses a noticeably lower ankle cut and features added ballistic nylon in place of the shoe’s more traditionally delicate materials. And instead of the Air Jordan 7’s usual Huarache-inspired neoprene construction, this pair appears to feature a more standardized tongue. The brand’s “Flight” logo replaces the capitalized “Air Jordan” branding usually seen on the tongue of the Air Jordan 7.

Originally reported to be shorthand for “Restomod,” a reference to classic car restoration, the Air Jordan RM line is instead short for “Remix.” The concept debuted this year on the Air Jordan 4 RM, which was first released in two “Bike Air”-branded Sylvester collaboration colorways and has since began launching in more widely available in-line looks. If the rollout of that model is any indication, readers can expect to see plenty of the Air Jordan 7 RM in 2025 and beyond. 

After releasing in a handful of styles in 2022 and 2023, the Air Jordan 7 Retro took a year-plus hiatus and has only just now returned in a kid’s-exclusive “Cobalt Bliss” colorway. 

The Air Jordan 7 RM will reportedly debut at retail during fall ’25. The black-and-red colorway pictured here has a SKU of HQ3950-002.

Jordan Brand’s Flight Club: The FN Cover Shoot

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