At the Barclays Center in the “Mecca of Basketball,” New York City, Jordan Brand Classic held its own All-Star game featuring the best highschool players across the country. Since 2022, the All-Star game is an opportunity to celebrate the culture of basketball and its next generation of players as they were shooting threes, running plays, and catching rebounds.
Jordan Brand Classic is always ensuring the future of the game is solidified with the best they have to offer. The tournament featured girls and boys teams playing against each other with the names “Team Air” and “Team Flight.” In the crowd sat NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Aaron Judge watching the futures of the students come to fruition right before them. Both the girls and boys teams played with the fervor of an NBA draft-pick.
During the game, guests had the opportunity to experience the Jordan XXXIX or Jordan 39s for the first time since NBA star Paolo Bancero debuted them at the first round of the NBA playoffs. It’ll be released in nine colorways of Sol on July 2, Lumiere on August 6, University, Croix, Baron, Guo Pe, Heritage, Style, and Noir. JBC constantly aspires, every year, to push the brand to release a shoe better than the last from performance to quality. This sneaker is no exception with the launch color Sol translating to foundation in French. The Jordan Brand Classic builds off of a solid foundation of the 39s made with the same technology in Olympic long distance runner Eulid Kipchoge’s Nike Zoom Vapors.
“It’s an honor to represent the Jordan family in wearing the Air Jordan 39s for our first playoff series of my career,” Banchero tells GU. “MJ’s legacy is rooted in historic playoff performances, and to have the opportunity to honor that in unveiling the 39’s is truly special for me.” This new shoe and the All-Star game represented the feeling of possibility. While the sneakers may not make you play “Like Mike,” embracing your own talents and leaning on your intuition wherever you aspire to be in school, work, or the future is the Air Jordan culture. One of the girl’s team players Kiyomi McMiller, exuded that confidence needed on the court had proven herself to the brand and signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Jordan.
During the girl’s halftime show, Brookynite Lola Brooke took over the court with her viral hits “Don’t Play With It” and “Here I Come.” As one last three was made, Dylan Harper’s fourth of the night, on the boy’s “Team Flight,” the courts cleared after the crowds cheers and rappers Cash Cobain and Veeze made their way to the makeshift stage. The catchy flows of “Fisherrr” and “Get Lucki” that are taking over the summer’s top song status were performed with the Jumpman logo overhead, signaling the brand’s ubiquitous standards throughout the night.