In a recent NCAA basketball matchup pitting the UAB Blazers against the UNC Tar Heels, fans might've noticed something a bit awry.
If you're a sneakerhead, you probably spotted it immediately as several players from both teams rocked mismatched sneakers. Initially, one could make the assumption that the kids were just having fun and making a fashion statement. But in this case, the reason runs much deeper. Started by UAB coach Jerrod Hasse, a former player and assistant for UNC coach Roy Williams, the idea was inspired by Elijah Serrit, a 5 year-old cancer patient whom the UAB Blazers adopted three years ago. UAB wears the mismatched sneakers to bring attention to Serrit and children who are battling pediatric cancer. For this game, UNC decided it would join UAB in bringing the cause to the forefront.
The highlight of the game, though, was freshman Theo Pinson wearing one "Legend Blue" XI and one "Cool Grey" XI at the same time. This look usually will get the gas face by most sneaker critics, but we'll give it a pass this one time.
While most onlookers may dismiss the statement because of a lack of information, at least the kids in the hospitals know that players and coaches have them in their thoughts.
[via USA Today Sports and GoHeels]
