{"id":531877,"date":"2017-04-04T15:25:36","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T19:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=531877"},"modified":"2022-09-13T01:53:50","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T06:53:50","slug":"tar-heel-heat-25-best-shoes-north-carolina-basketball-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/tar-heel-heat-25-best-shoes-north-carolina-basketball-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Tar Heel Heat \/\/ The 25 Best Shoes in North Carolina Basketball History"},"content":{"rendered":"

How bout them Heels? Looking for revenge all summer 16 after a last shot upset at the hands of Villanova in last season’s NCAA Championship game, redemption was on the University of North Carolina’s mind last night as they beat a very strong Gonzaga Bulldogs squad.<\/p>\n

While cutting down the nets is nothing new for UNC,<\/strong>\u00a0wearing sneaker heat certainly isn’t either. Following last night’s big win in retro Jordans and CP3 exclusives, we dug through the history books to countdown the best basketball shoes made for Chapel Hill’s finest.<\/p>\n

25. Air Jordan XX1 PE<\/h2>\n
\"Danny
Danny Green in the Air Jordan XX1 UNC PE (photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The retail world got the Air Jordan XX1 in Carolina colors, only in low top form. Those lucky enough to play for Roy Williams, like Spurs shooting guard Danny Green, saw their own PE pairs in smooth, mid top fashion.<\/p>\n

24. Jumpman Team One<\/h2>\n
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Kris Lang in the Jumpman Team One (photo via Sole Collector<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You’d think it would be hard\u00a0selling Jordan models when the athlete wearing them\u00a0isn’t named Michael. Despite hoards of All-Star talent, it was schools like North Carolina, Michigan and Cincinnati that made the Jumpman Team One hot. While these don’t break the internet when they release in retro form, the Carolina colorway still does reasonably well and evokes good memories.<\/p>\n

23. Air Jordan 2009 PE<\/h2>\n
\"Ed
Ed Davis in the Air Jordan 2009 UNC PE (photo by Andy Lyons\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ultra angular, the Air Jordan 2009 was almost like a new age Air Jordan 14, which we’re not sure many people were looking for. Still, this UNC PE is for sure the smoothest and swaggiest, as it never released at retail but did grace the feet of NBA-ready Tar Heels like Ed Davis.<\/p>\n

22. Nike Air Uptempo 3.0 PE<\/h2>\n
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Ademola Okulaja in the Nike Air Max Uptempo 3.0 PE (photo via Kicks on Fire<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

File these under very rare. While Kevin Garnett fans hit up Eastbay and their local mall to score these in Black\/White and White\/Black tumbled leather fashion, Dean Smith’s six-starter lineup got these in their own colors too. Wow.<\/p>\n

21. Air Jordan XX2 PE<\/h2>\n
\"Ed
Ed Davis in the Air Jordan XX2 PE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Air Jordan XX2 PE gets love in Cal and Georgetown fashion, but let’s not sleep on the UNC makeup. Donned by Ed Davis and a host of Heels, this low profile team take is arguably better than any of the retail versions — even the OG take and basketball leather variation.<\/p>\n

20. Air Jordan 2011 PE<\/h2>\n
\"John
John Henson in the Air Jordan 2011 UNC PE (photo by Streeter Lecka\/Getty Images via Zimbio<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Air Jordan 2011 is slept on with capital ZZZZZZs. Clean in color blocking and modular in technology, yes these were understated but they were also underrated. This Carolina colorway worn by stellar pro John Henson during his college days speaks to such.<\/p>\n

19. Nike Air Afterburner Flight<\/h2>\n Joseph Forte in the Nike Air Afterburner Flight High\n

Made famous in the NBA by JKidd, TBug and Mighty Mouse, the Nike Air Afterburner was a midtop shoe for the shifty point guard. Oddly enough, it saw high top placement on Joe Forte — one of the best pure scorers to ever wear powder blue — in team tones just the same.<\/p>\n

18. Nike Air Force Strong<\/h2>\n
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Rasheed Wallace in the Nike Air Strong (photo via Sole Collector<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Probably not the Air Force model Rasheed Wallace is most known for, the Nike Air Force Strong helped usher in a wave of team takes brought to the Heels by Nike. While the Maestros also deserve due props, anyone who remembers the Air bubble in these realize why they rank so high.<\/p>\n

17. Air Jordan XV<\/h2>\n Joseph Forte in the Air Jordan XV (photo via Sole Collector<\/a>)\n

If the Air Jordan XV is your favorite Jordan, odds are you have a personal story that goes with them or just possess really unique<\/em> taste. I for one love this shoe because of the former, but as a kid that rocked an elbow wristband in youth basketball because of Joe Forte, this retail release has strong steeze.<\/p>\n

16. Nike Shox VC II & III PEs<\/h2>\n
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HUGE opportunity for the Tar Heels tomorrow!?? In anticipation, I decided to pull out a few White\/Carolina gems that have NEVER been photographed together until today! Former UNC star Vince Carter had these stunning PE’s produced for him back in 2002\/2003. His VC 2 & VC 3 Signature sneakers were both given the gorgeous UNC treatment. Only a handful of these were created back then, quite challenging for me to acquire 14 years ago. Enjoy the special share, let’s go UNC!!??<\/a><\/p>\n

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