words & image // Zack Schlemmer
Up this week we get a sweet image of Damon Stoudamire AKA Mighty Mouse from his rookie season on this 1995-96 Upper Deck Collector's Choice "Scouting Report" card. On his feet you may notice the Air Jordan II Low, which is most likely the 1994 retro version.
The Air Jordan II Low Retro released in 1994 along with the mid-top version of the II in the first wave of Air Jordan retros. Also releasing in 1994 were the original colorways of the Air Jordan I Black/Red and White/Black/Red, and the Air Jordan III White/Cement and Black/Cement. Today, the 1994 releases of the Air Jordan I and III are pretty much the "Holy Grails" of all retro Air Jordans, but many of us overlook the II's. Since even the III's hit clearance racks back in 1994 when the idea of a retro release was new and strange to most sneaker consumers, we can guess what happened to the II's. This Air Jordan II Low has to be one of the rarest and hardest to find of all Air Jordan retro sneakers, simply because nobody even bought them.
However, Damon Stoudamire was apparently ahead of the retro game. Since this card came out before he even played a game, he must have broken these out of his own collection to wear on this rookie photo shoot. Damon would later sign with Nike and wear notable shoes like the Air Zoom Flight '95 on his way to NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1995-96 while playing for the Toronto Raptors.
What are your thoughts on the Air Jordan II Low? Is there anything greater than the original Raptors uniforms? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
