Exclusive: Lithuania Nike Hyperdunk 2011 PE

words & images // Nick DePaula

After regaining its independence as a country in 1990, the Lithuanian National Basketball team has continually fielded one of the most competitive teams in international play.

Not much larger than the state of West Virginia, the country has impressively captured a Bronze medal six times in the last twenty years, stepping to the podium at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympics, and at the FIBA World Championships in 1998, 2006 and 2010.

Known for their legendary Grateful Dead inspired tie-dye gear and players like Arvydas Sabonis, Sarunas Marciulionis and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the small country's rich hoops tradition will once again be carried into the next international tournament.

As the team competes this summer for a chance to qualify for next year's 2012 London Olympic Games, they'll be doing so in this spirited edition of the Hyperdunk 2011.

With a green base and plentiful hits of both red and yellow, the shoe carries on the long-standing bold aesthetic of the team's sneakers and uniforms. The country's native spelling of "Lietuva" can be found along the top of the tongue, and unlike past team exclusives, these are slated to make their way to retail in limited quantities at House Of Hoops locations this fall.