The 25 Greatest Sneakers in UConn Basketball History

Image via Complex Original

Fresh off a national championship, UConn has been one of the most competitive teams on the hardwood over the past 25 years. Thanks to top-tier recruits like Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Rudy Gay, and Kemba Walker, combined with the tradition instilled by coach Jim Calhoun, the Huskies have been able to raise a few banners. Complex decided it was time to show respect to yet another Big East school with a history of swagger on the court and heat on their feet. From Nike Airs, Forces, to Jordans — click through our gallery to check out The 25 Greatest Sneakers in UConn Basketball History.

25. Air Jordan XIX "White/Chrome"

When: 2004

Who: Ben Gordon 

Most Outstanding Players for UConn cut down the nets in Jordans — just ask Ben Gordon and Rip Hamilton. Helping lead the Huskies to the '04 National Title, Gordon turned to the greatest for help — Jordan's latest offering to the courts. The XIXs original inspiration was the black mamba snake — sound familiar? Kobe biting another aspect of Mike's game. 

24. Nike Air Force Mid

When: 1993

Who: Donyell Marshall 

A kick some may have forgot, the Nike Air Force Mid is another dope throwback we need Nike to resurrect. No doubt they could easily substitute them for one of the 30 Air Force 1 releases this year — we don't mean to ruin the AF1 birthday. Made famous by Suns guard Dan Majerle in the '93 Finals, they got some love from one of UConn's finest Donyell Marshall as well. The cross strap (also seen on the Air Force Max CB) kept you locked in.

23. Nike Air Flight High

When: 1990

Who: Scott Burrell 

While not quite as memorable as its 1989 predecessor (or its Lite sibling), the 1991 Nike Air Flight was a major player in the early 90's in the NBA and in the Big East. Dual-sport guy Scott Burrell kept his kick game fresh on the courts. 

22. Air Jordan 2011 "White/Red"

When: 2011

Who: Donnell Beverly 

The greatest Jordan release since the greatest player retired? No doubt. Jordan Brand came correct with perfomance-driven sneakers that were just as impressive aesthetically. The Huskies raised a banner in these — is it time for their own PE yet?

21. Nike Air Revolution

When: 1988

Who: Cliff Robinson

The Air Revolutions first dropped in '88 and represented a new age in Nike's basketball technology. Featuring the Visible Air sole unit the sneaker was exactly what ballers needed for stability, but light enough (er, by 1988 standards) to go hard 40 minutes a night. The design was on point too, high tops with the ankle strap — Uncle Cliffy knew what was up. 

20. Nike Air Zoom Generation

When: 2004

Who: Rashad Anderson 

The shoes that started it all — maybe not for Anderson, although he did his thing but we mean The Chosen One. Fresh off his $90 million contract with Nike just months after graduation, LeBron James got laced with the Zoom Generations. At $110 these were on-point performance wise — durable and lightweight thanks to the Zoom Air cushioning. 

19. Air Jordan XIII "Black/True Red"

When: 2005

Who: Rudy Gay 

Back when Jordan Brand hooked up the 3M on the XIIIs, Rudy Gay picked up the December 2004 release and made a few posters in the process. The Black Cat inspiration from the hologram eye and bulky midsole resembling a claw still reign as one of the most unique concepts in a long line of Tinker Hatfield classics. 

18. Air Jordan XI "Cool Grey"

When: 2011

Who: Kemba Walker 

Killer crossovers that literally sat people down and step-back game winners weren't the only thing on Kemba's resume for the 2011 season. Helping lead the Huskies to the national title, he did it with one of the best displays of sneakers the collegiate level has ever seen in a single season.

17. Nike Zoom Kobe VI

When: 2011

Who: Jeremy Lamb 

Blake Griffin? Nah, that's Jeremy Lamb putting down the sickest dunk of the year. What was on the defender's mind after he saw the Kobe VIs jump stop and accelerate like a rocket? Deez nuts. Happy 11/11/11 — happens only once in a lifetime, if you're smart enough to duck next time he comes baseline. 

16. Air Jordan XIII "Flints"

When: 2005

Who: Rudy Gay 

UConn might not be at PE status like some schools but from Khalid El-Amin to Rudy Gay, the "Flint" colorway sticks with the school just the same. Lighter and more flexible than the previous Jordan model, the Air Jordan XIII was a Zoom-cushioned sprint shoe for the game's most lethal 30-something.

15. Nike Air Max Penny II

When: 1997

Who: Richard Hamilton 

Before the mask, Rip Hamilton had a lot of pressure to help take over after Jesus Shuttlesworth left campus. In his sophomore season, he took court in Penny's second signature sneaker. The shoes utilized 3M throughout the upper and the branding on the ankle to pop on the hardwood. We can't argue Rip's choice with these — featuring maximum comfort and a close feel to the ground so he could torture opponents on the drive or stop on a dime for a fadeaway jumper. 

14. Air Jordan XII "Flint"

When: 2011

Who: Ryan Boatright

We aren't sure sure if Boatright sat on these for seven years or if someone in the equipment room hooked him up with the 2004 retros, but the "Flint" colorway meshes well with the UConn and Kentucky colorways.

13. Air Jordan XII "White/Varsity Red-Black"

When: 2010

Who: Kemba Walker 

The first Air Jordan to feature Zoom Air, the Rising Sun inspired Air Jordan XII also sported a carbon shank and a full-grain leather upper, which made them suitable to just about any position — especially relentless scoring guards looking to embarass a defender or two.

12. Air Jordan VII "Olympic"

When: 2011

Who: Kemba Walker 

You already know Michael dismantled entire countries in these en route to 1992 Barcelona gold. Kemba wasn't too far off making a name for himself and UConn to kick off their championship season. We can't front that after a short hiatus we are glad these are coming back again in 2012. 

11. Air Jordan III "True Blue"

When: 2001

Who: Taliek Brown 

When the "True Blues" retroed in '01, Taliek Brown grabbed them up for war on the courts. The blue scheme of the IIIs didn't exactly go with the Husky's navy colorway but we can't fault Brown for wanting to stunt the classics in front of the crowds.

10. Nike Air Max2 CB 94 "Black/Black"

When: 2004

Who: Marcus Williams

UConn players know their basketball history, and instead of always going with the latest and greatest they sometimes took it back with what they knew worked. In 2004, Marcus Williams rocked Charles Barkley's straitjacket-inspired signature model. The CB 94's were strong, durable, and ready for battle in the paint. 

9. Nike Zoom Huarache 2K4

When: 2004

Who: Charlie Villanueva 

By 2004, the trend of the Shox started to slow down and Nike rolled out its new lightweight performance killer with the Huarache 2K4. Best known on the feet of Kobe after he made the jump to The Swoosh, the 2K4 was perfect for players like Villanueva who was notorious for using his speed to beat defenders on the wing but also banged down low under the boards. 

8. Air Jordan IX "White/Black-True Red"

When: 2002

Who: Caron Butler 

Once Caron Butler started running the wing with the Huskies he put up solid numbers in solid kicks. In '02, Caron's game featured the first AJIX retro to the masses, which was also the first Jordan to release during MJ's first retirement. The Air Jordan IX focused on the global influence Mike had had, what with the Barcelona Olympics and the Bulls's three championships. 

7. Nike Air Max2 Uptempo

When: 1995

Who: Ray Allen 

Mostly known for being on the feet of the Dukies, the Air Max 2 Uptempo found its way onto the feets of Ray Allen. The distinctive segmented upper featured an easily-tightened lacing system that would pass on nearly unchanged to its successor, the Air Max Uptempo. These joints were kin to Barkley's Air Max2 CBs and one of the hottest shoes of '95 before guards like Jason Kidd and Penny Hardaway's names started ringing out in the streets. 

6. Air Jordan XI "Bred"

When: 2009

Who: Kemba Walker 

Drawing comparisons to AI for being undersized and his speedy play, Kemba Walker also hooped in the same kicks as The Answer. The "Bred" XIs are historical for Mike's finish to one of the greatest seasons in NBA history and you already know once the black Js hit the floor its time to take over.

5. Nike Dunk High

When: 1987

Who: Tate George

Be True To Your School was the motto and no shoe repped college basketball in the '80s like the Nike Dunk. The shoe dropped in various colorways so teams could show unity and pride — the comfort and stability of the sneakers made it easy for players to get down in these a few nights a week. 

4. Nike Air Max Uptempo

When: 1996

Who: Ray Allen 

Ray Allen has always been a fan of the Nike Uptempo line — just check the résumé. In '96 he broke out the Air Max Uptempos which were best known on the feet of David Robinson and KG, but Allen wasn't the only guard droppin' treys in these — you could catch them on Scottie Pippen as well. "Save the Earth one court at a time" was Nike's slogan with the Uptempo — environmental and good for your long-range game.

3. Air Jordan VII "Hare"

When: 2009

Who: Hasheem Thabeet 

Hare Jordan — before Thabeet got picked, his kicks were already worthy of that number-two spot. The Tinker-designed Air Jordan VII borrowed influences from his Huarache line and incorporated Western African tribal art. The shoe shared a similar cut to the VIs but stripped away the heel tab and two-hole pull on the tongue (along with the padding in the ankle collar and the Visible Air) for a cleaner look. 

2. Nike Air Max Penny

When: 1996

Who: Ray Allen 

Name a player that didn't have Penny in their top five in the mid-90s — his game was sick, the commercials were dope, and most importantly Nike hooked him up with some crack kicks that they wanted to rock on the court. Penny's first signature shoe was easily his greatest shoe in the I-IV series. The sneaker featured the visible heel Air Unit with the "1 Cent" logo right above it, a pinstriped tongue and a PU support panel, and its great design and black/white/varsity-royal colorway made these just as appealing for hoopin' in or rockin' to class. 

1. Air Jordan XIV "White/Black-Varsity Red"

When: 1999

Who: Richard Hamilton 

The Jordan XIVs were another Tinker Hatfield makeup and used inspiration from MJ’s Ferrari 550M to create a fast-looking, lower-cut model. The Ferrari-like badge, air "intakes" in the midsole and the metal tips on the laces added to the high-tech, high-end feel. The shoes debuted super-early in the '98 NBA Finals, and figured big in highlight reels across the nation as Mike hit that famous step back “final shot” against the Utah Jazz. Hamilton's legacy in these aren't that deep but he did get a ring and Most Outstanding Player honors in the XIVs.