The 25 Best College Basketball Player Exclusives of All-Time

With college basketball's Midnight Madness upon us and the NCAA Men's Basketball season set to begin shortly, the thrill surrounding it all is certainly building. College basketball is exciting for many reasons—the players perform with heart, the student sections are absolutely nuts, and the season begins on time (oh, hi NBA!). However, for those that love sneakers, there's also the "kicks on court."

Player/Team exclusives are actually nothing new—they've been around for decades. However, only recently has the explosion of school colorway'd signature lines and college-branded sneakers been so strong. LeBron currently outfits three college basketball teams and Jordan Brand endorses four. With basketball sneakers in collegiate colorways, there's never been a better time to show one's school spirit. Are you wondering if your alma mater made the cut? Then check out the 25 Best College Basketball Player Exclusives of All-Time...

Year: 2009

The Air Jordan 2009 was pretty sophisticated with its Articulated Propulsion Technology and "What is that, satin?" side panels. However, they did also cost $190. If free tuition isn't enough reason, these without a doubt justify the effort exerted to become a scholarship athlete.

Year: 2005

Just as Jordan always has a colorway in the pocket for his old stomping grounds, Carmelo Anthony has also been granted that liberty to share the wealth. Or, maybe Jordan Brand knew all along that Carmelo would eventually suit up for the NYK? C'mon, it's Jordan we're talking about.

Year: 2010

In getting recruited to play at Marquette, you can't help but expect to be playing in Dwyane Wade's shadow. However, you've also got to be thankful for the great Jordan connect!

Year: 2008

At least Rick Pitino didn't get extorted to get patent leather and breathable mesh for his squad. Like the sex with Karen Sypher, for Pitino the deal with adidas was consensual!

Year: 2008

Will wearing these Hyperdunks get you lei'd? You can bet a trip to Maui on it. Especially if you were on the 2008 Longhorn team which participated in the Maui invitational. With traditional UT Burnt Orange adorning Nike's Flywire technology and a Hawaii-themed floral motif in tow, these PEs were certainly winners—even though the Longhorns weren't.

Year: 2010

If the USC Kobe V had been out at the time, OJ (Simpson, not Mayo) would've had no reason to steal back memorabilia (allegedly). He'd probably be more interested in getting his hands on Kobe's low construction Trojan PE. Timing is everything!

Year: 2010

Breathability, stability, lightweight and seamless — with the Hyperfuse, Jim Boheim had footwear covered. Now if only he could bring back the FutureBall logo.

Year: 2011

Of course, the Carolina Blue 2011s were pretty damn sweet, but we saw those coming. Furthermore, the Hoya Navy Blue on the luxurious patina leather looked like something we could have rocked on the reg. Even when they aren't PEs, Hoyas just look good in J's.

Year: 2010

With supreme stability and comfort, the Air Max LeBron 7 was built to accommodate the multi-directional movements of the modern basketball player. Seeing that he rocked these in his time at UK, John Wall must have needed a lot of guapington to jump to Reebok.

Year: 2010

Did LeBron attend OSU? No. Does he have an undying love for the state of Ohio? Presumptively, yes. For that, superior traction, and a slow recovery memory foam collar, Mike Conley Jr. and Greg Oden were certainly grateful.

Year: 2011

If Kobe were to have gone to college — rather than heading straight to the league — it's oft been said that he would have attended Duke University. While Kobe continues to wonder "what if?", guys like Nolan Smith have been fortunate enough to take advantage of Mamba's unfulfilled collegiate intentions. Kobe also could have played soccer, guess we should be on the lookout for TPU snakeskin shinguards?

Year: 2010

Finding its inspiration in an F-22 Raptor fighter jet, the Air Jordan XX2 is one of the most technologically advanced Jordans to date. Considering that Cal produced the likes of J. Kidd and Mayor KJ, the Golden Bears are certainly deserving of some Jordan Brand love.

Year: 2011

We've all got to begin somewhere. It just so happens that Tinker Hatfield and Bill Bowerman began at the University of Oregon. Tough to decide whether UNC or Oregon's got the better connections. Looks as if it might be the latter.

Year: 2010

Derrick Rose went to school in Tennessee, Memphis to be exact. How this perforated upper and UT Orange GeoFit ankle collar wound up with the Volunteers is a mystery — those Vols certainly didn't complain, though.

Year: 2009

When Coach Dambrot left St. Vincent-St. Mary for the University of Akron, an adolescent LeBron was pretty crushed. Fortunately, for the Zips, LeBron's not a spiteful guy. Now if we can only get Ohioans to be more forgiving and understand that Miami is a way cooler place to live.

Year: 2011

You don't get your own Jordan signature line without being a supreme standout in college. Furthermore, you don't get a seventh signature shoe without being a standout in the NBA. Carmelo's completed both of these tasks and the M7's stability, lightweight body, and flexibility are direct expressions of that.

Year: 2004

Huh? Kansas Jordan XIIIs? Well, once upon a time, Kansas — along with Cincinnati — was amongst the teams sponsored by Jordan Brand. A short stint with JB, but definitely one of the greatest PEs.

Year: 2011

Without UCLA being the only team in the Pac-10 not sponsored by Nike, these powdery Air Force Blue and Gold Crazy 8s would not be possible. The full-grain leather and suede upper makes these PEs look anything but, well, crazy.

Year: 2011

As we have seen, and/or will see, University of Oregon has some pretty deep-rooted Nike connections. But, not to be outdone, it looks as if the in-state rival Oregon State Beavers have got some heat, too. Who would have thought that Air Jordan IXs could make an athletic rivalry grow stronger?

Year: 1982

At the time, Pro Leathers were a go-to for guys already of NBA fame. But, there was this one shining star who also rocked these in his time as a Tar Heel. That alone makes these one of the greatest PEs of all-time.

Year: 2011

One thing's for sure: when it comes to footwear, LeBron's move to Miami has been tremendous. "South Beach" 8s, "Miami Nights" 8s, "Cannon" 9s, and now these? Is it too late to enroll in some Post-Bacc classes down in Coral Gables? Because these are 2 Live.

Year: 2004

Not only do you get to play college ball where the best to ever do it did, but you also get to play in the sneakers that he won NBA championships in. It's pretty hard to have a poor recruiting class at UNC.

Year: 1985

Nike's campaign to emblazon a select few college basketball teams in the '80s with the Dunk led to results they never could have dreamed of. Would Nike SB have been able to get off the ground without the Dunk? And would anyone have thought of doing a "Wu-Tang" Dunk if the Iowa colorway never happened? There still would have been an ODB, though — thankfully. *Wipes sweat from brow*

Year: 2011

There's no denying how scholastically fresh these are. If something walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. As part of a "rebranding project" for the Oregon basketball program, Tinker Hatfield himself designed these to give back to his alma mater. Limited to 500 pairs and to be given out at the Matthew Knight Madness event at the U of O, one can only sigh and be patient for this year's Air Jordan III Black/Cement general release. Ugh.

Year: 1984

When Nike did Dunks for all their premier college teams in the '80s, one school said no. The Hoyas of Georgetown wanted something different — and they got it, in the aptly named Terminator. Derived from the Legend, as worn by Patrick Ewing, no college-themed shoe before or since has been as significant.