Where It Started: The Best Signature Sneaker Tributes to High School

Remembering when signature athletes took their sneakers back to school.

by Brandon Richard

Perhaps more important than championships and personal achievements of athletes are the bonds they form along the way. For most NBA players, the path to becoming a pro begins in high school, where they audition for the next level while still living a relatively "normal" life.

Over the years, it's been clear that the biggest stars in the league hold their high schools close to their hearts. In fact, Nike recently released Kyrie Irving's first high school-inspired signature sneaker, and Jordan Brand unveiled a refurbished gymnasium at Michael Jordan's alma mater.

Almost every signature athlete eventually gives a sneaker salute their old high school. Read on for a look at the best.

Michael Jordan for Laney High School

1.

Michael Jordan Laney High School

2.

Michael Jordan Air Jordan 1 Laney

Air Jordan 1

 

3.

Michael Jordan Air Jordan V 5 Laney

Air Jordan 5 Retro

 

4.

Michael Jordan Air Jordan 14 Low Laney

Air Jordan 14 Low

 

5.

Michael Jordan Air Jordan 2010 Team Laney

Air Jordan 2010 Team

 

6.

Michael Jordan Air Jordan 2010 Outdoor Laney

Air Jordan 2010 Outdoor


LeBron James for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

8.

LeBron James St. Vincent-St. Mary High School

9.

LeBron James Nike Air Zoom Generation SVSM

Nike Air Zoom Generation

 

10.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 2 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 2 PE

 

11.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 2 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 2 PE

 

12.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 3 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 3 PE

 

13.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 3 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 3 PE

 

14.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 4 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 4

 

15.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 4 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 4

 

16.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 5 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 5 PE

 

17.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 5 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 5

 

18.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 6 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 6 PE

 

19.

LeBron James Nike LeBron VI 6 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 6 PE

 

20.

LeBron James Nike LeBron VII 7 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 7 PE

 

21.

LeBron James Nike LeBron VII 7 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 7 PE

 

22.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 8 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 8 PE

 

23.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 8 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 8 PE

 

24.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 8 V/2 SVSM PE

Nike LeBron 8 V/2

 

25.

LeBron James Nike LeBron IX 9 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 9 PE

 

26.

LeBron James Nike LeBron IX 9 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 9 PE

 

27.

LeBron James Nike LeBron XI 11 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron 11 PE

 

28.

LeBron James Nike LeBron XI 11 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 11 PE

 

29.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 12 SVSM

Nike LeBron 12 PE

 

30.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 12 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron 12 PE

 

31.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 1 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 1 PE

 

32.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 1 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron Soldier 1 PE

 

33.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 2 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 2 PE

 

34.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 2 SVSM

Nike LeBron Soldier 2 PE

 

35.

LeBron James Nike LeBron 3 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 3 PE

 

36.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 3 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron Soldier 3 PE

 

37.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 4 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 4 PE

 

38.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 4 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron Soldier 4 PE

 

39.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 4 SVSM Alternate

Nike LeBron Soldier 4 PE

 

40.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 5 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 5 PE

 

41.

LeBron James Nike LeBron Soldier 5 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron Soldier 5 PE

 

42.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 6 SVSM Home

Nike Zoom Soldier 6 PE

 

43.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 6 SVSM Away

Nike Zoom Soldier 6 PE

 

44.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 8 SVSM Home

Nike LeBron Soldier 8

 

45.

LeBron James Nike Soldier 8 SVSM Away

Nike LeBron Soldier 8


Kobe Bryant for Lower Merion High School

47.

Kobe Bryant Lower Merion High School

48.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 3 Lower Merion

Nike Kobe 3

 

49.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 4 Lower Merion Home

Nike Kobe 4

 

50.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 4 Lower Merion Home

Nike Kobe 4

 

51.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 5 Lower Merion Home

Nike Kobe 5

 

52.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 5 Lower Merion Away

Nike Kobe 5

 

53.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 5 Lower Merion Aces

Nike Kobe 6

 

54.

Kobe Bryant Nike Kobe 7 Lower Merion Away

Nike Kobe 7


Penny Hardaway for Treadwell High School

56.

Penny Hardaway Treadwell High School

57.

Penny Hardaway Nike Air Penny 5 Treadwell

Nike Air Penny 5


Kevin Durant for Montrose Christian Academy

59.

Kevin Durant Montrose Christian Academy

60.

Kevin Durant Nike KD 1 Montrose Christian Academy

Nike KD 1 PE


Kyrie Irving for St. Patrick High School

62.

Kyrie Irving St. Patrick High School Academy

63.

Kyrie Irving Nike Kyrie 1 Letterman St. Patrick

Nike Kyrie 1


Carmelo Anthony for Oak Hill Academy

65.

Carmelo Anthony Oak Hill Academy

66.

Carmelo Anthony Jordan Melo M4 Oak Hill

Jordan Melo M4

 

67.

Carmelo Anthony Jordan Melo M6 Oak Hill

Jordan Melo M6

 

68.

Carmelo Anthony Jordan Melo M8 Oak Hill PE

Jordan Melo M8 PE

 

69.

Carmelo Anthony Jordan Melo M8 Red Suede Oak Hill

Jordan Melo M8 PE


Chris Paul for West Forsyth High School

71.

Chris Paul West Forsyth High School

72.

Chris Paul Jordan CP3.V West Forsyth

Jordan CP3.V PE

 

73.

Chris Paul Jordan CP3.VI West Forsyth

Jordan CP3.VI PE


Allen Iverson for Bethel High School

75.

Allen Iverson Bethel High School

76.

Allen Iverson Reebok Answer VII 7 Bethel High

Reebok Answer 7


John Wall for Word of God Christian Academy

78.

John Wall Reebok Zig Encore Word of God

79.

John Wall Reebok Zig Encore Word of God

Reebok Zig Encore


Derrick Rose for Simeon Career Academy

81.

Derrick Rose Simeon Career Academy

82.

Derrick Rose adidas D Rose 2 Simeon

adidas D Rose 2

 

83.

Derrick Rose adidas D Rose 2.5 Simeon

adidas D Rose 2.5

 

84.

Derrick Rose adidas D Rose 4 Simeon

adidas D Rose 4

 

85.

Derrick Rose adidas D Rose 773 Simeon

adidas D Rose 773


Tracy McGrady for Mount Zion Christian Academy

87.

Tracy McGrady Mount Zion Christian Academy

88.

Tracy McGrady adidas TMAC 1 Mount Zion

adidas TMAC 1


Robert Griffin III for Copperas Cove

90.

Robert Griffin III Copperas Cove

91.

Robert Griffin III adidas RG3 Energy Boost Copperas Cove

adidas RG3 Energy Boost

 

92.

Robert Griffin III adidas RG3 Cleats Copperas Cove

adidas RG3 Cleats


Brandon Jennings for Oak Hill Academy

94.

Brandon Jennings Oak Hill Academy

95.

Brandon Jennings Under Armour Micro G Black Ice Low Oak Hill

Under Armour Micro G Black Ice Low

 

96.

Brandon Jennings Under Armour Micro G Bloodline Oak Hill PE

Under Armour Micro G Bloodline PE