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by Rich Lopez
Adidas Basketball is set to celebrate the upcoming Black History Month with a collection of sneakers inspired by a sports culture icon and a true pioneer of Black history, Jesse Owens. Drawing inspiration from Owens' record breaking performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, at which he became the first American track and field athlete to win four gold medals in a single games all while wearing a pair of hand-crafted adidas track spikes created by adidas founder Adi Dassler, the collection will feature a D Rose 6, a D Lillard 2 and a Crazylight Boost 2.5.
The D Rose 6 is inspired by Owens hand-crafted track spikes and features an aged and tumbled leather upper with off-white accents and a clear outsole with gold speckles. The sneaker has gold accents throughout which symbolize Owens' gold medal-winning performances. There's also a subtle tribute to the crowd in attendance at the games via a black-and-white photo printed on the collar lining and back of the tongue.
The D Lillard 2 is inspired by Owens' track uniform and features an off-white cracked upper with gold foil accents that link back to Owens' gold medals. The upper is done in a premium creme suede and mesh. The sneaker also features Oak Print hits with a vintage-white midsole, eyelets and heel cap.
The Crazylight Boost 2.5 wears an off-white gradient Primeknit and genuine leather upper with a gold foil treatment. The sneaker also includes a Jesse Owens graphic print lace jewel and Owens' name embroidered on the inside of the tongue.
All three sneakers feature details that reference Owens’ 733 bib number and 1936 graphic prints in the sockliners.
James Harden, Damian Lillard and Derrick Rose, along with several other adidas NBA athletes, are set to debut the collection during their Martin Luther King Jr. Day games. Players will continue to wear the collection throughout the month of February.
The D Rose 6 (retailing at $140) and the D Lillard 2 (retailing at $105) are both set to hit select retailers in January.
adidas D Rose 6 Boost "Black History Month"
adidas D Lillard 2 "Black History Month"
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adidas Crazylight Boost 2.5 "Black History Month"
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