A sneaker homage to the legendary Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team is set to be released soon courtesy of Nike Sportswear.
Made up of the classic Dunk Low and Air Force 1 Low retro basketball sneakers originally released in the 1980s, the upcoming Nike “Harlem Globetrotters” pack will pay respect to the legendary team.
Although it does not appear to be an officially licensed collaboration with any visible Harlem Globetrotters branding, the details on both shoes make the inspiration fairly clear. The duo’s Dunk Low uses a “Sail/University Red/Tour Yellow/Photo Blue/White” colorway, while the Air Force 1 Low opts for a “Coconut Milk/Photo Blue/Sail/University Red/Light Crimson” combination.
Aside from their commonality in colors, both shoes share perforated leather bases and dotted Swooshes that resemble the bumps of a basketball. Mixing the Globetrotters’ blue, red and yellow colors on various parts of the shoes, both the Dunk Low and Air Force 1 Low come with matching graphics on their insoles. The image features a “Nike Inc.” basketball logo topped with several stars — a hallmark of the Harlem team’s retro logos — and a hazy depiction of players on the court.
Known for their athletic showmanship and humorous on-court antics, the Harlem Globetrotters were founded in Chicago during 1926. As their name suggests, the team has competed all over the world, having played in 123 different countries and territories. Several notable players had stints with the Globetrotters, but the biggest name was arguably NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain, who in 1958 signed with the touring team after leaving college early. Chamberlain’s tenure with the team was brief — he only played with them for a year before going pro in 1959 — but memorable.
According to Sole Retriever, this Nike Sportswear “Harlem Globetrotters” pack is expected to be released sometime during the holiday 2024 season. The Dunk Low is priced at $125, while the Air Force 1 Low retails for $120.
