The 25 Best Reebok Basketball Shoes of All Time

Image via Complex Original

Reebok back? It never really left. When you look through basketball sneaker history they may not have had the same global star power as a Michael Jordan, LeBron James, or Kobe Bryant — but back in the late '90s and early '00s they were dominating the game. One of their biggest stars, Shaquille O'Neal, turns 40 today and as possibly Reebok's biggest name we decided to break down its basketball line from The Pumps to The Answer — hopefully Reebok will finally bless us with some of the classics again. Click on the gallery to check out The 25 Best Reebok Basketball Shoes of All Time. 

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Reebok Answer V

Year released: 2001 

Possibly the last strong sneaker in the Answer series, after the 2001-2002 season Iverson's kicks (and the Sixers's chances of getting a ring) never seemed the same. The design was clean and like other Iverson shoes the use of color was simple but placed perfectly. Another sneaker in the DMX Technology family built for extreme comfort and stability for whatever aerobatic move the 165-pound guard pulled out of his ass. They even put a zone in the league to try and stop him. 

24. Reebok Reignman III

Year released: 1998

These were not the greatest years of Shawn Kemp's career. Forlorn in Seattle after journeyman center Jim McIlvaine started earning more money than he was making, Kemp finally got his huge contract — and was traded to Cleveland. The third iteration of his Reignman signature shoe featured a massive 3D Ultralite midsole, Hexalite cushioning, and that pre-Bron pale blue and orange. Some things are perhaps best left forgotten.

23. Reebok Swingman

Year released: 1995

All we really need to tell you is that this Hexalite-cushioned Above the Rim shoe was worn by both Sam Cassell and Muggsy Bogues. Avaliable in high, low or mid, this team shoe featured a white embroidered "88" on the back, which enabled you to color it into your own number. Genius.

22. Reebok ZigEncore

Year Released: 2011

When Reebok first unrolled the Zig look in 2010 people weren't exactly sure what to think, but 14 years after A.I. — and signing another No. 1 point guard draft pick in John Wall — they were ready to make moves. The shoe offers superb stability thanks to the ZigNano tech, and a true range of motion even for a higher cut. The cushioning unit received a lot of love from various sneaker blog performance reviews and the price was legit for the product. 

21. Reebok Shaq Attaq IV (Insta Pump)

Year released: 1995

The Insta Pump isn't as memorable as some of Shaq's other signature kicks, but performance wise it was just as on point as his other digs. They featured the high demand Insta Pump package and adjustable ankle support to let the big man get comfortable causing mayhem in the lane. The sneaker also showcased the Shaq two-handed, knees-up Dunkman logo which at the time was nearing Mike's Jumpman status. He wore these in the Finals against the Rockets — too bad they couldn't help him with Hakeem.

20. Reebok Pump Blacktop Battlegrounds

Year released: 1991 

As soon as you seen the orange pump on the tongue you can't front — these are still a must-have in any true basketball sneaker collection. The classic high-top cut (not like the mid-highs out now) the shoe offered maximum support to the ankle, stability to the midfoot, and although not the lighest sneaker, players had no problem getting up for a putback dunk. We mean Sinbad rocked them, isnt that testament enough? No? One of the first outdoor-specific basketball shoes, the Blacktop series was built tough for the streets. 

19. Reebok Rafter

Year released: 1995

Some more Sam Cassell joints. We seem to recall Shaq wearing them for a game or two, too. The Rafter was meant to evoke some old-school cool what with the basic branding and rear lacing. Simple and smooth, just like Sam-I-Am.

18. Reebok BB6600

Year released: 1986

These were the epitome of Reebok high-tech back in '86. Fresh to the basketball game, Reebok introduced the BB4600, 5600 and 6600 (we'll get to the others later). The BB6600 was sky-high, featured multiple lacing options, and flew the Union Jack proudly.

17. Reebok Kamikaze

Year released: 1995

In the mid-'90s, Reebok went big on patterns, making their shoes instantly recognizable even from the cheap seats. And they made an easy choice putting one of their flagship shoes on Seattle Supersonics high-flyer Shawn Kemp, who used his Hexalite-cushioned sleds to put opposing centers into photographer's row. Just ask Alton Lister.

16. Reebok Pump D-Time

Year released: 1993

Part of the Above the Rim series, the Pump D-Time was a signature shoe for Dee Brown, who'd famously won the '91 Slam Dunk contest after pumping up his Omni Lites. Dee wasn't really signature shoe material, but after that performance, it was the least Reebok could do. The retros (shown) didn't really live up to the OGs, which utilized nubuck uppers and some fresh gum bottoms.

15. Reebok BB4600

Year released: 1986

The unofficial shoe of high school smoking sections everywhere, the Reebok BB4600 was made for basketball but found a home on metalheads everywhere. You couldn't walk a high school hallway anywhere in the mid-80s without seeing at least one kid with their BB4600's tongue proudly spread over the cuffs of their acid-washed jeans.

14. Reebok Pump Omni Zone

Year released: 1990 

When the going gets tough, the tough get The Pump — or so says Reebok and we can't disagree. In 1990 when Reebok had the game on lock with its Pump and ERS technology, the Omni Zone was a less-restrictive takedown of the original Pump. Giving the midfoot ultimate support and comfort as well as being able to adjust the lining to fit your ankles was a game changer — and even better things were to come. 

13. Reebok Blast

Year released: 1996

Part of the Reebok era where the simple use of black and white designs had their basketball sneakers looking like Rorschach tests. The Reebok Blast was typically seen on the feet of Nick Van Exel while running the point for the Lakers and even on Allen Iverson during his rookie training camp with the Sixers. The shoe featured the go-to Hexalite cushioning Reebok implemented in most of their basketball kicks during the '90s.

12. Reebok Answer

Year released: 1997 

D-M-X! The Reebok Answer was a huge step away from The Question in terms of design and technology. Allen Iverson's second signature shoe was lighter, slimmer, and lower than The Question, and also were the first basketball shoe to feature 10-pod DMX cushioning, which moved air from one part of the sole to another. The full-on patent leather models (a blue that released in the U.S. and a red that didn't) gave you instant street cred.

11. Reebok Reverse Jam 

Year released: 1991

The Reverse Jam originally dropped in 1991 in a simple black and white or white and black option, and over the years Reebok has dropped some crazy colorways as well as some dope collaborations with the likes of Leaders1354, Kicks Hawaii, and Sneakerology to name a few. The kicks feature Hexalite technology, a clean design, and are built strong for the indoor or outdoor courts. The spatter finish on the midsoles was a nice touch, too.

10. Reebok Shaq Attaq

Year released: 1992

Before he officially signed with Reebok, the story is that the rookie-to-be Shaquille O'Neal visited Nike's campus to meet with Phil Knight while fully decked out in Reebok apparel. This did not go over well. Shaq's first signature shoe dropped his rookie season — they knew as soon as he entered the league he was going global. A Pump shoe that featured a tremendous midsole cutaway, shiny blue highlights, and a silhouette that stood out in the Diesel's size 20. You might remember them being on the Diesel's feet as Shaq brought down the house en route to Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

14. Reebok Pump Twilight Zone

Year released: 1990 

They were high, they were neon, they were undeniably Reebok. The Pump Twilight Zone had all the height of the original Pump (we'll get to those) with lots of late '80s, early '90s design flourishes. Equipped with the orange basketball Pump on the tongue and ERS in the heel, they were famously worn by... Luke Perry?

8. Reebok Answer IV

Year Released: 2000 

The 2001 League MVP led the 76ers to the NBA Finals basically single-handedly in the Answer IV with the most memorable moment being  the step-over taunts (sorry Tyronn Lue) against the Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The Answer IV was light, featured full-length DMX cushiong so you felt like you were running on pillows, and the sleek and fast design flawlessly reflected Iverson's game. A few years later they dropped in numerous colorways for a team shoe concept and still sold very well. 

7. Reebok The Commitment

Year released: 1989 

Originally dropped in '89 and then again 20 years later, the Reebok The Commitment (Danny Manning's go-to shoe) used large branding on the side so you knew what you were dealing with. The midfoot strap was added for extra streetwear style points off the court and the ability to stay locked in on it. 

6, Reebok Pump Omni Lite 

Year released: 1990 

Who can forget Dee Brown sneaking a peek through his forearm in these kicks to win the '91 NBA Slam Dunk Contest? Reebok's Pump Omni Lite was an all-around solid mid-cut basketball shoe featuring Hexalite cushioning (a step up from the Omni Zone's ERS) and the Pumps went hard in the streets, having everyone pumping it up in between buckets (or between classes). 

5. Reebok BB 5600

Year released: 1986

When Massachussetts-based Reebok decided to get into the basketball game, who better to rep than a couple of Celtics? Reebok signed up Celtics guards Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge, and put them in the then state-of-the-art BB5600. That big looping side panel kept them locked in, and gave billboard-size space for the new kid on the block to represent.

4. Reebok Shaqnosis

Year released: 1996 

How do you design a shoe to support a 7-foot, 300-pound giant and make it just a loud as him? The mind-twisting Shaqnosis was possibly one of the best signature kicks that fit the personality of the player on the court. Reebok did away with the Pump entirely, which lightened things up for the big man. The black and white Twilight Zone flow broke necks while Shaq ripped down rims. Deadly combination.  

3. Reebok Kamikaze II

Year released: 1996 

For a minute in the mid-'90s Reebok was dropping a lot of serious basketball shoes — and Shawn Kemp helped push 'Bok to the next level. The simplistic use of white and black EKG-esque lines were the foundation of the aesthetically pleasing kicks. Throw in the comfortable Hexalite cushioning and stable ankle support and you were ready to average a double-double and throw down dunks on the best of 'em... vertical pending. 

2. Reebok Pump

Year released: 1989 

Paul Litchfield's innovation with the Pumps helped Reebok go neck and neck with Nike for a few years. The shoe was the first to feature The Pump mechanism, and the orange basketball on the tongue became just as much of a status symbol as the Jumpman when they first dropped. You couldn't find a playground without them and having "The Human Highlight Film" Dominque Wilkins defy gravity in them during the '90 Dunk Contest wasn't a bad introduction to a true classic. 

1. Reebok Question

Year released: 1996

There were a lot of questions swirling around No. 1 draft pick A.I. as he left Georgetown for the NBA. The real question was who was afraid of Allen Iverson? In his first year in the league he broke Wilt Chamberlain's consecutive rookie 40-point game record and even made MJ look a fool — all in his signature Questions. Upon its release, the Reebok Question broke sales numbers for Reebok, allowing Reebok to sign A.I. to a lifetime contract. Allen Iverson broke ankles with his handles and broke necks with the Reebok Question thanks to the massive Hexatile windows and clean colorways displaying just a little color on the toecap (in suede or pearlescent leather) and behind the Achilles.