Image via Complex Original/Artwork by Willkay
Basketball sneakers have come a long way since the first Chuck Taylors in the 1960s.
Dunk-mania has been dominating the sneaker game for the longest time, while modern classics like the Air Jordan 31 continue to transcend the court and become cultural linchpins—setting the stage for today’s wealth of performance advancements.
And then, of course, there’s the matter of style. It’s no secret that a certified basketball crep can go just as hard as a chunky silhouette or retro runner; basketball shoes were the first statement sneaks to grace the industry, and some of the most iconic sneaker designs ever hailed from the hardwood, including Nike’s Air Zoom Huarache, the Converse Weapon and FILA’s signature Ninety6. Naturally, they pair well with streetwear-inspired looks, loud colourways working with bold graphic tees and relaxed denim, whereas muted monochrome iterations can complement more minimal ‘fits.
With the summer heat showing no signs of slowing down, there’s no better way to spend the day than on the court. We hit the stacked pages of eBay to round up 5 Authentically Guaranteed basketball shoes available to buy right now*—scroll through below.
1. Jordan 5 Retro “Oreo/Moonlight”
2021 brought with it a number of Retros—and in the Jordan brand’s case, the Air Jordan 5 was largely at the forefront. Arguably one of the most exciting offerings of the year, the “Oreo” is actually a re-release of a colourway from 2013, which originally commemorated the AJ5’s 23rd anniversary.
Though officially dubbed “Moonlight”, this colourway is a near-exact replica of the original design. Between the all-black suede upper and white midsole, the icy-look outsole completes the design and pays homage to the Air Jordan 5—Jordan Brand’s first signature sneaker with a transparent sole. Taking inspiration from the moon in the night sky, the AJ5 “Oreo/Moonlight” is a hard flex which can be worn with just about any ‘fit. Not to mention, it’s the perfect neutral colourway if you need to wear something to your local basketball court and don’t have your own jersey.
Jump on here to cop on the Jordan 5 Retro “Oreo/Moonlight” now.
2. adidas Yeezy Qntm “Frozen Blue”
Kanye West’s ongoing collaboration with adidas has been a complete game-changer for the brand. From the OG Yeezy Boost 750 to the more recent Foam Runner, the rapper’s partnership—and subsequent releases—continues to send shockwaves through the footwear industry as he introduces fresh new trends and design language while pioneering the fashion lifestyle movement.
One of the most exciting silhouettes to arrive in recent memory, this version of the Qtnm—named the “Frozen Blue”—takes the sneaker’s bold aesthetic to the next level, with untouched Boost™ cushioning, experimental lines and Primeknit, though the latter of the three is tweaked. It’s detailed with ice blue, cage-like overlays which, when the lights go down, will glow in the dark to really drive home the otherworldly feel.
Head over to eBay’s sneaker marketplace to cop the adidas Yeezy Qntm “Frozen Blue” here.
3. Converse x Off-White Chuck Taylor All Star
Since 1917, no brand has had quite as much experience on the court as Converse. More than 100 years ago, the Massachusetts-based brand offered up the first “Non-Skid” sneaker, a canvas-based silhouette with increased traction specifically designed for the sport of basketball. Later renamed the “All Star”, it’s no surprise that even to this day, the imprint is still considered one of the top names to come from the hardwood thanks to its evolving catalogue and noteworthy collaborations.
Take the Converse x Off-White Chuck Taylor All Star, for example: initially released in October 2018, after the success of the brand’s “The Ten” collection with Nike, the Off-White x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star is a must-cop for avid shoe-collectors globally. Arguably one of the best colourways and silhouettes designed by Virgil Abloh prior to his passing, the collaborative crep features diagonal stripes on the midsole, reminiscent of the designer’s famous take on the crosswalk, a bold orange sole and industrial zip tie.
Click here to see the full range of listings for the Converse x Off-White Chuck Taylor All Star on eBay.
4. Reebok More Buckets “Ftwr White/Vector Blue/Vector Red”
Since the days of Converse Chuck Taylors, basketball sneakers have confidently confirmed their ability to seamlessly cross over into the lifestyle arena. But while it feels like there’s a new, more technical style every week, sometimes it’s worth remembering that a pair of classic shoes can do just as good of a job. Enter Reebok. The brand’s basketball creps typified the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and their retro charm remains ever-present even to this day.
First released in 2020, the Reebok More Buckets is a great budget-friendly option to stunt both on and off the court. Leaning into the “dad sneaker” craze, the retro-inspired silhouette is packed full of performance-focused details including a padded collar, synthetic-leather heel counter, and durable rubber sole designed to get you into a baller state of mind. The sturdy textile and mesh upper is perfect for those who like their ankle support and the vintage design details get top visual marks, too.
Join this year’s retro crep trend and click here to get your hands on the Reebok More Buckets via eBay.
5. New Balance TWO WXY
While its lifestyle division continues to go from strength to strength, New Balance is also heading for a more measured expansion of its basketball franchise with a slew of technical footwear and player partnerships. The latest product of this controlled roll out? A dexterous silhouette nicknamed the TWO WXY, crafted for positionless two-way ballers.
Inspired by the changing structure of today’s game, the New Balance TWO WXY serves as a spiritual successor to the Kawhi Leonard-adjacent OMN1S released in 2019. Donned by the likes of Jamal Murray, Dejounte Murray and Darius Bazley, this sneaker boasts a FuelCell midsole—delivering a sports-like propulsive feel—and a robust shank for torsional rigidity. Visually, the TWO WXY portrays a pattern reminiscent of a fingerprint on its quarter, a ridged toebox, a large NB logo on the heel and a labelled graphic on both sides of the tongue.
What are you waiting for? You know where you can get them? eBay.
Click here to check out eBay’s sneaker marketplace along with their full crep range and more*. You can also read more about the Authenticity Guarantee at ebay.co.uk/authenticity-guarantee.
*All sneakers shown here were available via eBay at the time of going to press. We have selected styles with a good level of availability on the platform, although as eBay is a live marketplace we cannot guarantee they will all be available at all times.