The History of Air Jordan in the NBA: 26 Years, 26 Jordans, 26 Players

Image via Complex Original

Who doesn’t want to be like Mike? The greatest basketball player of all time also started a revolution with the greatest sneaker line of all time. Ask any basketball player and they’ll tell you Jordans were the must-have sneaker from their first games as a youngster ballin’ on the concrete to dreams of having their own signature lines as well. Take a look through our gallery of 26 players rockin’ all 26 different signature Jordan models.

Air Jordan I

Who: Michael Jordan

Original Release Year: 1985

Complex Says: Flight 23, fasten your seat belt. The sneaker that started a revolution, the Jordan I was ahead of its time and the NBA dress code. Peter Moore killed it with his design that turned the sneaker game from checkers to chess.

Air Jordan II

Who: Carmelo Anthony

Original Release Year: 1987

Complex Says: Since his days out of Syracuse, Melo has been down with Jordan Brand. Anthony has had a great run with his own signature series but the crew over at JB also cooked up a few player editions for him including these sick Jordan IIs.

Air Jordan III

Who: Lebron James

Original Release Year: 1988

Complex Says: The most popular Jordan of all-time and to most the best shoe of all-time, the Jordan III was a game changer. It was rumored that Jordan was about to abandon Nike if this shoe didn’t meet his expectations. Tinker Hatfield hit a home run and everyone has rocked these at one point or another, including the King himself.

Air Jordan IV

Who: Paul Pierce

Original Release Year: 1989

Complex Says: The Air Jordan IV also enjoyed a lot of commercial success, and is one of the most sought-after retros along with the IIIs and XIs. Tinker Hatfield again killed the design with the unique texturing. Every basketball player knows the IVs are most definitely “the truth.”

Air Jordan V

Who: Derek Anderson

Original Release Year: 1990

Complex Says: Inspired by the WW2 Mustang fighter plane, Tinker truly used a high-flying design for the Vs. Derek Anderson was known for his Jordan collection and rocking the V and XIs (lowtops, mostly) consistently throughout his career.

Air Jordan VI

Who: Ron Artest

Original Release Year: 1990

Complex Says: Ron Artest was going hard in Js before he was throwing punches in stands. The Air Jordan VI was the sneaker that MJ earned his first title in, and once again had Tinker Hatfield cooking up another classic. The rubber tongue and pull tab/rear spoiler were a new look from Nike and also made getting your kicks on and off simple.

Air Jordan VII

Who: Eddie Jones

Original Release Year: 1991

Complex Says: The Huarache-inspired Air Jordan VII was a part of some monumental MJ moments, including his second NBA title, third MVP, and second gold medal in the Olympics. You could catch Jordanhead Eddie Jones rocking these along with other J’s throughout his career. (They were Bugs Bunny's faves, too.)

Air Jordan VIII

Who: Kobe Bryant

Original Release Year: 1993

Complex Says: In the early '90s ankle straps were all the rage, so naturally they were incorporated into the hottest sneaker line available. After Kobe’s departure from adidas, Nike started hooking him up with player exclusives in order to sway him to the brand. The Lakers-inspired VIIIs and IIIs were a good look and seem to have gotten the job done.

Air Jordan IX

Who: BJ Armstrong

Original Release Year: 1993

Complex Says: How about some Jordans that MJ never wore himself in a Bulls uniform? The IXs dropped after Mike’s decision to retire from basketball one day before training camp and take a shot at baseball, signing with the Birmingham Barons the following season. A teammate during the Bulls three-peat, BJ Armstrong rocked them in the 1994 All-Star Game in honor of His Airness.

Air Jordan X

Who: Harold Miner

Original Release Year: 1994

Complex Says: “Baby Jordan” was supposed to be the heir apparent to His Airness — yeah that didn’t work out too well. Nonetheless, Miner showed us he could fly like Mike, winning two Dunk Contests, but it stopped shortly after that. Luckily with baseball on strike in 1995 Jordan shocked the world and returned to the league and picked things back up in his “45” Jordan Xs.

Air Jordan XI

Who: Kevin Garnett

Original Release Year: 1995

Complex Says: No sneaker is touching the Jordan XI, fresh out the box the smooth patent leather design was breakin’ necks, Tinker was back on his game and so was Mike. In Jordan’s first full season back in the NBA he became just the second player to win the regular season, All-Star Game, and NBA Finals MVP in the same year. The new school of players were eager to rock them on the court including Da Kid, Kevin Garnett.

Air Jordan XII

Who: Gary Payton

Original Release Year: 1996

Complex Says: GP was no slouch with his shoe game, and during his attempt at a title run with the Lakers, Nike hit him up with some nice PEs. In ’97 Nike decided to launch the Jordan Brand and the XIIs were the first sneaker that did not have the Nike logo anywhere on the sneaker. They were also the last to drop in a Nike box.

Air Jordan XIII

Who: Gilbert Arenas

Original Release Year: 1997

Complex Says: The Jordan XIIIs were inspired by Mike’s nickname on the court, the “Black Cat.” The hologram panther eye around the ankle gave them a distinct look and was counterfeited to no end. To this day they still get a lot of love on the court, including current sneaker MVP Gilbert Arenas.

Air Jordan XIV

Who: Jason Williams

Original Release Year: 1998

Complex Says: Jason Williams was all about the Js early on in his career when he was driving coaches nuts with pull-up, 30-foot threes on fast breaks. The XIVs will always be remembered as the shoe MJ hit the step-back shot on Utah to win his final championship and second three-peat with the Bulls.

Air Jordan XV

Who: Reggie Miller

Original Release Year: 1999

Complex Says: After another Jordan retirement and more speculation whether Jordan Brand would continue the sneaker legacy, they kept going strong. The XVs were inspired by the X-15 fighter jet designed by NASA in the ‘50s. Many players including Knick-killer Reggie Miller donned the sneakers after MJ left the game.

Air Jordan XVI

Who: Darius Miles

Original Release Year: 2001

Complex Says: A new school of kids were keeping the Jordan name strong into the 2000s, including Clippers duo Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson. The XVIs were released on MJ’s 38th birthday and also the first Jordan since the IIs that were not designed by legend Tinker Hatfield.

Air Jordan XVII

Who: Mike Bibby

Original Release Year: 2002

Complex Says: Mike was back again, this time for a run with the Washington Wizards. The XVIIs were the first Jordan to retail at $200 and took inspiration from an Aston Martin. Former Arizona Wildcats guard Mike Bibby is no stranger to the Jordans as the JB squad has hooked him up with numerous PEs as well.

Air Jordan XVIII

Who: Manny Harris

Original Release Year: 2003

Complex Says: Cavalier Manny Harris was ballin’ in Jordan's final on-court kicks. MJ had knee issues during his final run in the NBA and had to call it quits April 16, 2003 in a loss to Philly. The XVIIIs were done by new designer Tate Kuerbis and introduced the pull-out opening box seen with many current drops.

Air Jordan XIX

Who: Amar’e Stoudemire

Original Release Year: 2004

Complex Says: Amar’e rocked the XIXs in the ’04 Olympics and the sneaker saw numerous player edition models. They featured inspiration from the deadliest snake, the Black Mamba. #NoKobe

Air Jordan XX

Who: Dennis Rodman

Original Release Year: 2005

Complex Says: Long after his days with Mike in a Bulls uniform, Rodzilla donned a pair of J’s on the court. Tinker came off the bench to help design MJ’s 20th sneaker featuring a very detailed laser-etched design on the lace cover.

Air Jordan XXI

Who: Maceo Baston

Original Release Year: 2006

Complex Says: Maceo Baston may have stolen these out of a teammate's locker — we’re not sure how else to explain him getting his hands on some Jordans. The XXIs used premium Italian suede and were aesthetically very simple and clean compared to most other Jordan releases.

Air Jordan XX2

Who: D.J. Augustin

Original Release Year: 2007

Complex Says: Longhorns' alumni D.J. Augustin went hard, rockin' the XX2s when he got in the league. The model stepped it up with technology and design inspired by the F-22 Raptor jet. They also featured an incredible double-stacked Zoom Air pod for maximum comfort and stability.

Air Jordan XX3

Who: Chris Paul

Original Release Year: 2008

Complex Says: CP3 was one of the newest members of Jordan Brand when they hooked him up with a few perks including these PE XX3s. The shoe was the final model donning the numbering system, hitting Mike’s signature 2-3.

Air Jordan 2009

Who: Ray Allen

Original Release Year: 2009

Complex Says: Just when everyone thought the dynasty was over, Jordan Brand surprised the masses with another release, this time using the shoe's release year versus the numbering system of the previous 23 models. Designer Jason Mayden incorporated a new innovative design and technology making the 2009s look very sleek and fast on the court.

Air Jordan 2010

Who: Joe Johnson

Original Release Year: 2010

Complex Says: Received with some mixed reactions due to the transparent window, the Air Jordan 2010 started off with a lot of negativity. Eventually, after a few colorways and great performance reviews, Jordan fans warmed up to the shoe. Numerous players rocked them throughout the season including Dwayne Wade and Joe Johnson.

Air Jordan 2011

Who: Dwayne Wade

Original Release Year: 2011

Complex Says: Jordan Brand did it again with its latest release. The 2011s are technically two shoes in one with the interchangeable midsoles catering to players on the perimeter and in the paint. Numerous colorways have dropped and are still going strong. They are possibly the best Jordan release since his final retirement and drew much hype with D. Wade debuting them on Christmas Day against the Lakers.