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Tonight marks the end of the 2010–11 college season with a very unpredictable title matchup between Big East powerhouse UConn and last year’s runner-up, the Butler Bulldogs. What better way to complete the NCAA year than a look at the best kicks worn by your favorite college athletes. No doubt a few of these guys are ready for the league and a few player editions from Mike & Co. Take a look at our gallery of the greatest shoes from this year’s college basketball season.
Nolan KDIII
#25 Nike Zoom KD III
Who: Nolan Smith
When: 3/13/2011
Complex Says: The first team All-American combo guard rocked Kevin Durant’s third signature kicks for a good portion including the ACC Tourney.
Tjones 6 Rings
#24 Air Jordan 6 Rings Foamposite
Who: Terrence Jones
When: 3/27/2011
Complex Says: We know the fusions always get bashed, but it’s time to accept the fact that a few pairs look legit. Kentucky forward Terrence Jones rocked the foamposite x Jordan kicks throughout the NCAA tournament pushing the 'Cats to the Final Four.
Hardy Hyperfuse
#23 Nike Zoom Hyperfuse
Who: Dwight Hardy
When: 1/30/2011
Complex Says: The Zoom Hyperfuses get a lot of love at every level of the game due to their durability for such a lightweight sneaker. You might have caught St. John’s Dwight Hardy rockin’ them during their upset over Duke. Always a feel-good moment.
Thomas Bron 3
#22 Nike Zoom LeBron III
Who: Isaiah Thomas
When: 1/6/2011
Complex Says: Nate Robinson 2.0 killed it with his kicks this season. Earlier this year he was spotted wearing the LeBron IIIs in a win over conference foe Oregon. Thomas declared for the draft last week, no doubt dude is ready for the league and maybe a few PEs of his own.
Taylor Rose
#21 adidas adizero Rose PE
Who: Jordan Taylor
When: 3/24/2011
Complex Says: One of the few teams that wasn’t reppin’ Nike in the tournament, Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor sported the adidas Rose PEs in their loss to Butler. The shoe is one of adidas best offerings in recent memory — very lightweight and supportive for breaking (other people's) ankles.
Hill J17
#20 Air Jordan XVII
Who: Solomon Hill
When: 1/29/2011
Complex Says: Typically you see most players sporting recent retros releases when it comes to Js. Arizona forward Solomon Hill busted out the Jordan XVIIs to change it up. Zona fans be proud, not too many squads were beastin’ on kicks like the Wildcats.
Mayes Linen
#19 Air Jordan X “Linen”
Who: Jordin Mayes
When: 2/19/2011
Complex Says:
Arizona brethren again, Jordin Mayes pulled out the Jordan Xs for their W over Washington late in the Pac-10 season. We need to get down with this Nike connect this team has.
Butler Space Jam
#18 Air Jordan XI “Space Jam”
Who: Jimmy Butler
When: 1/8/2011
Complex Says: The Space Jam XIs are one the best sneakers of all-time, and after its retro release in 2009 players started showing them love on the court. Marquette’s Jimmy Butler was one of the NCAA players seen sporting them in battle.
White J2
#17 Air Jordan II
Who: Billy White
When: 2/5/2011
Complex Says: The Jordan II is always a good look on the court, and San Diego State was killing the Jordan classics hard this season. SDSU forward Billy White pulled out the toys for their win versus TCU in February.
Leonard XIV
#16 Air Jordan XIV
Who: Kawhi Leonard
When: 3/24/2011
Complex Says: Another SDSU player breaking out classic Js on the battlefield. Leonard was going strong this season too with some of the most memorable sneaker moments, but none more so than the Jordan XIV graphite colorway versus UConn in their Sweet 16 battle.
Brown Flint
#15 Air Jordan XIII “Flints”
Who: Gilbert Brown
When: 3/24/2011
Complex Says: The Flints were one of the last 4th quarter releases in 2010 although fans were left less than pleased with the lack of 3M. Nonetheless, Pitt guard Gilbert Brown dropped 24 in the classic XIII colorway in their battle with Butler in the “Big Dance.” The kicks were a win but unfortunately the Panthers caught an L.
Morris Crazy 8
#14 adidas Crazy 8
Who: Markieff Morris
When: 3/18/2011
Complex Says: Part of Kansas's twin towers, Markieff went hard in the paint with the adidas Crazy 8s aka the Kobes from back in ’97. A dope move by adidas to bring the sneakers back, now when can we get Reebok to push some old Answers?
Strick J3
#13 Air Jordan III
Who: Dexter Strickland
When: 3/26/2011
Complex Says: The Jordan III white/cement release in January has been the biggest retro push this year, and we knew it was only a matter of time before players started ballin’ in the classic model. UNC's Strickland sported the IIIs in their Elite Eight loss to Kentucky just after MJ himself said he’d lace the squad up if they hit a Final 4. Maybe next year.
Lighty Zoom Soldier 4
#12 Nike Zoom LeBron Soldier IV
Who: David Lighty
When: 3/20/2011
Complex Says: The Zoom LeBron Soldier series has always been pretty nice, but the IVs in red matching the OSU red uniforms was sick. David Lighty killed it in his final win at OSU, but just like Bron they fell short before bringing home the hardware that should have been theirs.
Shabazz Penny
#11 Nike Air Max Penny I
Who: Shabazz Napier
When: 3/12/2011
Complex Says: Fresh off their release, freshman guard Shabazz locked up the OG colorway of the Penny Is and played a vital role off the bench as UConn captured the Big East Tournament Championship.
Scoop Greys
#10 Air Jordan XI “Cool Greys”
Who: Scoop Jardine
When: 1/1/2011
Complex Says: Scoop rocked the “Cool Greys,” one of the illest releases in 2010, to ring in the new year as Syracuse beat Notre Dame by 12. Scoop dropped 11 in the second half to help them seal the win.
Momo Foam Pewter
#9 Nike Air Foamposite One “Pewter”
Who: Momo Jones
When: 3/24/2011
Complex Says: No doubt the OG Foamposite Ones are one of the most memorable tournament kicks from back in ’97 when Mike Bibby rocked them first in the national championship game. Momo didn’t one up Bibs, but the Pewters looked dope when ‘Zona took down Duke to get into the Elite Eight.
Franklin J20
#8 Air Jordan XX
Who: Jamaal Franklin
When: 3/24/2011
Complex Says: Not really sure if anyone is messing with SDSU when it comes to best kicks as a team. Jamaal Franklin broke out the Jordan XXs in the tournament versus UConn, proving the freshman was up on his sneaker game as well.
Marcus Prem VII
#7 Air Jordan VII Premio “Bin 23”
Who: Marcus Jordan
When: 1/19/2011
Complex Says: File under: “Advantages of being Michael Jordan’s son.”
RJack Melo7
#6 Nike Jordan Melo M7 “Syracuse PE”
Who: Rick Jackson
When: 1/18/2011
Complex Says: All-American Rick Jackson was wise for taking advantage of the newly minted Knicks/Cuse colorway of the M7, showing his alma mater and home team some love.
LMc 2011 J
#5 Air Jordan 2011
Who: Leslie McDonald
When: 3/25/2011
Complex Says: The greatest Jordan release since the greatest player retired? No doubt. Jordan Brand came correct, dropping a PE in UNC blue just in time for the tournament.
D Will Foam
#4 Nike Air Foamposite One
Who: Derrick Williams
When: 2/19/2011
Complex Says: Mr. Pac-10 Player of the Year paid homage to a sneaker that will always be remembered as an Arizona classic after Mike Bibby rocked them first in the ‘97 national title game.
Kemba 7
#3 Air Jordan VII “Olympics”
Who: Kemba Walker
When: 2/18/2011
Complex Says: The man of the moment, Kemba Walker killed it versus conference rival Louisville with the old school Jordan VII “Olympics.” Let’s be honest — Kemba probably could have gotten a little more Player-of-the-Year love, and a Jimmer sneaker post would do no hits.
Isaiah Playoff 12
#2 Air Jordan XII “Playoffs”
Who: Isaiah Thomas
When: 3/20/2011
Complex Says: Isaiah has always brought heat with his shoe game since he walked onto campus at Washington. Possibly none were more memorable than his “Playoff” XIIs in his likely final game with the Huskies, losing to UNC in the tournament.
Marcus Prem 5
#1 Air Jordan V Premium “Bin 23”
Who: Marcus Jordan
When: 2/9/2011
Complex Says: It’s gotta be the shoes. Marcus may not have the same game as Pops, but the kid has a crazy arsenal of Jordans to make up for it. In February he brought out the “Bin 23” Vs in a game. You and me are just trying to find a pair under $500 to rock on the streets, and Lil' Jordan is beating them up on the court. We see you.
