The 25 Greatest Sneakers in Michigan Basketball History

Image via Complex Original

They’re back — well, at least relevant again in college hoops, creeping up on a top-10 ranking. The University of Michigan in the late '80s and throughout the '90s was a powerhouse thanks to Glen Rice and the ’89 National Champs and the five freshmen who came in a few years later and changed the game as we know it. They also changed the dynamic of things in Ann Arbor by breaking a few rules, causing the school to put away some banners in boxes, but the memories live on. After years of trying to rehabilitate the program and a change from The Swoosh to The Three Stripes, they seem to be poised to make another run in March. We decided that a school that was so famous for setting trends in basketball was worthy of a guide to their footwork. Click on the gallery to check out The 25 Greatest Sneakers in Michigan Basketball History.

25. Nike Air Max Flight

When: 1997

Who: Robert Traylor

Outside of the Fab Five, Tractor Traylor (R.I.P.) might be one of the most recognized players in Wolverine history. Dude was a beast at 6-8 and pushing three hundo on the scales. He might have needed a few more breathers than most players but for his size he was swift on his feet and did it in guard-inspired shoes like the Nike Air Max Flight. (You'd think Trac would have wanted Air Max in the heels, too — guess not.)

24. adidas Superstar

When: 1976

Who: Rickey Green 

When you talk about classics, don't Superstars always come up? Throwback kicks and throwback guard — true pride of Michigan basketball in the 1970s, Rickey Green rocked the adidas Superstars during his successful tenure in Ann Arbor. The first leather basketball shoe when they were introduced in 1969, the shelltoe Superstars were still top of the heap seven years on.

23. Nike Air Signature Player

When: 2002

Who: Bernard Robinson 

The visible air sole meshed with the Foamposite feel at a much more affordable price on the Air Signature Player. They looked fast and took off on the hardwood thanks to a less bulky version of Foam and the feature of forming to the player's feet. An Aaron Cooper design, they found favor in the L on the likes of Paul Pierce.

22. Nike Air Force Mid

When: 1994

Who: Jalen Rose 

One of the best floor leaders in Michigan history, Jalen Rose had serious sneaker game. After the big homie Webber split, Rose had to hold down the squad of four and in his first attempt at the takeover he went with the Air Force Mids. The strap was major on about every shoe in the early 90's and shared similarities with the Nike Air Force Max CB. 

21. Nike Zoom Solider I

When: 2008

Who: Manny Harris 

Bron's first non-signature shoe was a favorite on the college courts. The outdoor-inspired Zoom Soldier featured Zoom Air cushioning, and the mid-foot strap gave them style points around campus.

20. Nike Air Strong Mid

When: 1996

Who: Maurice Taylor 

Even though Chris Webber was long gone by '96, he still had a heavy influence on the Michigan campus. In 1996 Maurice Taylor broke out the Air Strong Mids that C. Webb rocked in the league from time to time before he got his own deal. The Strong was a popular big man shoe at the time, being worn by everyone from Alonzo Mourning in the NBA to Rasheed Wallace in the ACC. 

19. Air Jordan Team I

When: 1998

Who: Maceo Baston 

Throughout time the team concept Jordans haven't always received the most praise, but on take two they killed it. After the Jumpman Pros dropped in '97 they followed up with the Team Is which catered to teams like Cincy, Cali, and St. John's, and even made their way onto the feet of Maceo Baston.

18. Nike Air Force II High

When: 1989

Who: Sean Higgins

The AFIIs highs were the epitome of a post-players shoe in the mid to late '80s. The bulky and durable kicks gave support for the 6-9 Higgins to hold down the lane for Michigan in 1989 when they cut down the nets as national champs.

17. Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4

When: 2005

Who: Ron Coleman 

The Huarache 2K4 moved things into a new direction by juicing things up performance wise taking Tinker's classic and adding a velcro closure and a Zoom Air twist. Best known on Kobe's feet after his switch to The Swoosh, the 2K4 was the epitome of lightweight performance in the pre-Flywire era. We know eight years later the new "+" system that just rolled out makes these look basic but even Austin Rivers iD'd a pair to kick off his run at Duke.

16. Nike Air Dynamic Flight

When: 1993

Who: Jimmy King

Another sneaker that borrowed inspiration from the original Air Flight Huaraches, the Air Dynamic Flight was one of Scottie Pippen's weapons when he was running with the Bulls. The Fab Five rocked everything they could get their hands on in the early  '90s, the Dynamic Flight was just one of many. You can see that round ankle cutout reflected in the new Lunar Hyperdunk.

15. adidas TS Bounce Commander PE "Michigan"

When: 2009

Who: Manny Harris 

After a longstanding relationship with Nike, Michigan decided to go with the Three Stripes. adidas kicked things off proper, hooking the Wolverines up with some dope PEs. The KG-proven Bounce Commanders looked pretty trill in navy patent with the yellow accents. 

14. Nike Air Max Penny I

When: 1995

Who: Albert White 

In 1995 it was the Jordan XIs or Penny Is — just that simple. Mike had a few more rings, but while he was off shagging balls in the outfield, Penny's popularity exploded. Originally Webber was the Magic's number-one choice but after a late workout with Hardaway and his filming with Shaq for Blue Chips the Magic decided Anfernee was a better fit. Loyalty be damned, Albert White was kitted out in the Zoom/Max Pennys.

13. Nike Air Maestro I

When: 1993

Who: Jimmy King 

Not too be confused with the ones that Pippen made famous during the '93 All-Star Game — Nike released two Maestros,  one in '92 and then a revamped style a year later. In 1993, Jimmy King went with the first editions which were also being worn by a point guard by the name of Jason Kidd. 

12. Nike Air Max2 Uptempo

When: 1995

Who: Travis Conlan

The Air Max 2s looked much like original Air Max, but the updated cushioning system helped the series run a little bit smoother on the floor. It found its home in the first Air Max Uptempo, worn by many college teams in the mid-'90s including the Duke Blue Devils, UConn Huskies, and Michigan Wolverines.

11. adidas Crazy 8 "Maui Invitiational"

When: 2011

Who: Jon Hordford 

Kobe Bryant's first kicks that were branded with his initials, the KB8 featured the Feet You Wear technology that was made to be an extension of your foot. The shoe was just as popular (and aggressive) as the high-flying off-guard who drew a lot of comparisons to Mike. The shoe saw some retro love in the 2000s with a re-release in 2005 and again all over the feet of adidas-sponsored squads throughout the 2011 NCAA Tournament as the Crazy 8s. For Maui Invitational, adidas sent over a few pairs of turquoise joints for the Wolverines to rock in the 808.

10. Air Jordan XIII "Flint"

When: 1998

Who: Robert Traylor 

Jordans weren't really a staple on the college court until the original XIII drop during the 97-98 season. The second Jordans to feature Zoom Air technology were the lightest and quickest Js to date, so it was only natural that "The Tractor" would use that to his advantage in the post. The original white/true red/blacks were strong but the "Flints" were the colorway that got the most love over the past 14 years.

9. adidas adiZero Crazy Light "Maui Invitiational"

When: 2011

Who: Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Weighing in at less than 10 ounces, the adiZero Crazy Lights rep the name well. You know Derrick Rose was slicing through defenders in these last year and adidas made up some special Maui kicks for Michigan's time in our 50th state allowing the the master of the crossover's (sorry A.I.) son to rep the Three Stripes proud. 

8. Nike Air Unlimited

When: 1993

Who: Ray Jackson

Fitted with ankle and heel straps, the Air Unlimiteds kept you locked in for any type of play on the floor. Part of the infamous Fab Five, Ray Jackson rocked the dual cross-strapped kicks throughout Big Ten play trying to keep players like the Big Dog and other foes from lighting up the Wolverines. 

7. Nike Air Maestro II

When: 1993

Who: Juwan Howard 

Best known in the red colorway for Pippen's '93 All-Star appearance, the Maestro II represented the pinnacle of Flight, with a little more beef than the stripped-down Huaraches for point guards and post players alike. Yes, Juwan Howard is old.

6. Nike Big Nike High

When: 1989

Who: Glen Rice

Glen Rice had quite the run as the king of Ann Arbor — one of the greatest shooters in school history, a one night stand with Sarah Palin, and a leading role in the Wolverines's lone NCAA title. During their run at the crown Rice spent most nights in the Nike Big Nikes, which were already classics.

5. Nike Air Force 1

When: 1983

Who: Roy Tarpley

Before he substance-abused himself out of the League, Roy Tarpley was one of the best big men in the game — a versatile 6-11 forward who was equally comfortable in the high or low post. It made sense that, while at Michigan, he'd be one of the first to rock Nike's newest basketball shoe, the Bruce Kilgore designed Air Force 1. Fitted with the first Air sole in Nike basketball history, the Air Force 1 would go on to change the whole sneaker game. Tarpley would go on to play in Europe.

4. Air Jordan XI "Concord"

When: 1996

Who: Maurice Taylor 

The best sneaker of the '90s? We think so. The lawn mower inspired Air Jordan XIs represented the pinnacle of the Tinker Hatfield/Michael Jordan design partnership, and the mix of ballistic mesh, patent leather and carbon fiber made them rocketships on the court. Mo Taylor got extra swag by lacing his Concords with black laces.

3. Nike Air Force Max

When: 1993

Who: Juwan Howard 

Back on the quest to cut down nets in April, the originators of all-black-everything balled so hard in the Nike Air Force Max. Rocking black shoes, black socks, and again keeping it gangsta with the baggy shorts — the look was one of the most-imitated looks in basketball history. Even Mike and company had to jack the style. The Air Force Max was a Charles Barkley shoe, but the Fab Five made it something all their own.

2. Nike Dunk High

When: 1986

Who: Everyone

Nike did up versions of their all-new Dunks for a bunch of teams in '86 including St. John's, Syracuse, Iowa, Kentucky and Ohio State. But even in the pre Fab days, Michigan had a little something extra. Maybe it was just the navy and white colorway, or the way dudes rocked either the navy or yellow laces, but Michigan's Dunks just seemed so much iller than the rest.

1. Nike Air Flight Huarache 

When: 1992

Who: Chris Webber 

After 1992, college basketball was never the same. Five kids from Michigan got together and decided they were going to rock baggy shorts, play with some major swag, and take the game by storm. It was also the year Nike released one of its most unconventional sneakers of all time, the Air Flight Huarache. Tinker Hatfield designed a shoe unlike anything before, inspired by a Mayan sandal. The shoe was one of the first to be stripped of unnecessary materials for a lightweight masterpiece. The baddest shoes on the baddest squad.