words & images // Zac Dubasik & Nick DePaula
The first time the Sole Collector team met Penny Hardaway was back in 2008 at his Memphis home. It was a rare opportunity to get to know one of our favorite athletes, talk sneakers and basketball, and even shoot around on his customized backyard court.
The reason we were there was to help mark the launch of his revitalized signature line and get his take on the upcoming 1/2 Cent. 10 years after the Penny IV, and even a full season after his retirement, Penny still resonated with fans in such a way that Nike felt there was an opportunity to revive his legendary line.
And what an opportunity that's turned out to be. Not only was the 1/2 Cent an instant success, but we've also seen a constant string of Penny releases since, with colorways both old and new quickly disappearing from shelves. So, it was no surprise when the team at Nike Sportswear, led by NSW Baksetball Footwear and Apparel Design Lead Marc Dolce, decided it was time for the next entry into the line.
We've had the priviledge and honor of being there every step of the way with the Zoom Rookie LWP, from the first time Penny saw the shoe this past March in Miami, to our launch event in Las Vegas.
You'll find every detail of the shoe in this special edition of Sole Collector, available now exclusively on the iPad. You'll find features highlighting the design and development insights, Penny's first on-court appearance in them and even his appearance at the Las Vegas launch. Being apart of this project has been an amazing experience for our entire team, and it's not only been a lot of fun, but it's also given us a way to pay tribute to one of our inspirations.
Available Now: Sole Collector Magazine on the iPad // Special Edition : Penny Issue
