words // Brandon Richard
images // Zac Dubasik
A far cry from their quiet debut rollout last October, Under Armour took over the Openhouse Gallery in the SoHo district of New York City last night not only to officially unveil their Fall/Winter 2011 Basketball footwear lineup, but also to formally introduce the new and improved Under Armour Basketball roster. In attendance for the event were brand "veterans" Brandon Jennings and Greivis Vasquez, as well as newcomers Derrick Williams and Kemba Walker. With a little help from UA Director of Basketball Marketing Mike Parker and Director of Basketball Footwear Ryan Drew, each athlete spoke candidly about their respective relationships with Under Armour, as well as the sneakers they'll be wearing for the upcoming season.
Of course, Jennings will be lacing up his second Under Armour signature shoe, the Micro G Bloodline. On display at Openhouse were a wide variety of Bloodline colorways, each representing an element of Brandon's distinctive path to the NBA. A shoe draped in blue, red and yellow is inspired by the Italian basketball club Lottomatica Virtus Roma, where he became the first player to bypass college to play professional basketball in Europe. Majority of the colorways tie back to Brandon's Compton, California upbringing, including a green-based pair symbolic of the newly-refurbished Rowley Park basketball court and a yellow and red look that represents his favorite local eatery, Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles.
Williams, the number two overall pick from this past June's NBA Draft, will be wearing low-cut versions of the Micro G Supersonic that he personally requested. Vasquez will return to the court in his preferred Under Armour Prototype PE, complete with detailing reflective of his home country of Venezuela. Walker will be the face of the newly released Micro G Juke, including a couple special make-ups that salute his Bronx roots.
Read on for a closer look at last night's Openhouse Gallery event and stick with Sole Collector for more coverage, including interviews with each athlete.
