Believe it or not, there once was a time when professional basketball and fashion occupied completely different spaces. NBA Players were mainly known for their style of play, not their sense of style. Then, the 1996 NBA Draft arrived, and the world was introduced to Allen Iverson.Ā
Iverson represented nothing less than a style revolution. Unlike other NBA players who wore boring suits and blazers pre-game, Iverson wore baggy clothes, cornrows, tattoos, du-rags, and jewelry. He was a spokesperson for hip-hop Culture in the NBA and represented a large population of basketball fans that hadnāt been given a spotlight before.
Iversonās style was celebrated by most fans, but the NBA power structure felt differently. Today, hip-hop has been fully integrated into mainstream culture. But back when Iverson entered the league, at the turn of the millennium, the fashion and culture associated with hip-hop music was still considered ācontroversial.” The NBA was extremely wary of Iverson and didnāt want to alienate or scare their more conservative (read: white) fans.Ā
Commissioner David Stern took dramatic steps to limit Iversonās influence. In 2005, he established a strict dress code that banned the style of clothing that AI was known for. Many players abided by the leagueās new rules. But not Iverson. He wouldn’t let a dress code stop him from dressing how he wanted to.Ā
Through his fierce personal style and defiance of Sternās edict, Iverson soon cemented his status as a cultural rebel and fashion icon. And throughout this journey, the one constant tying every outfit together: his sneakers. What kicks was AI rocking as he transformed from college prospect to global superstar? Letās take look back:
Allen Iverson Shoes in Middle School
Jordan 1 OG Royal 1985
1986-1987
Like many young basketball players, Allen Iverson drew inspiration for his on-court style early on from the most exciting players in the game at the time. He wore knee-pads like Ewing, Puma high socks like Sampson, and Air Jordan 1s like MJ. This silhouette made the perfect Allen Iverson shoe. It was lighter than the Air Force 1 and delivered a feeling of style and luxury most basketball shoes could not.
Allen Iverson Shoes in Highschool
Image by Dennis Tennant / Daily Press
Nike Air Maestro Flight 1
1993
Iverson attended Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia where he became known throughout the sports world for being a top-ranked recruit in both football and basketball. During his historic junior year, AI led both of Bethelās varsity football and basketball teams to Virginia state championships. Around this time is when Nike pioneered its Flight basketball line. This line delivered a series of basketball shoes designed to accommodate a quick style of play. The Nike Air Maestro Flight 1 would serve as Allen Iverson shoes for his junior season at Bethel where he would be named the Associated Press High School Player of the Year. This shoe was very popular at all levels of play at that time. NBA legends Scottie Pippen and John Stockton debuted the Maestro during their gold medal run in the 1992 Olympics, and soon after every player wanted a pair. Allen Iverson included.
Allen Iverson Shoes in College
Image by Georgetown Basketball
Air Jordan 11 Concord
1996
Being that Georgetown was a Nike school, Iverson strictly wore basketball shoes from the Swoosh during his collegiate career. The Nike Air Up Mid and Nike Air Way Up were the main Allen Iverson shoes during freshman season games. He would go on to show his dominance at the college level, eventually becoming the Big East Rookie of the Year.
In his sophomore season with the Hoyas, Iverson and his team suited up in style with the Air Jordan 11 Concord. Georgetown was known throughout the NCAA for their style. While other teams were busy lacing up Nike Air Pennys, Georgetown took flight like Mike in the AJ11. It was in the Concord 11 on Iversonās feet as he lit up the NCAA and got nominated to First Team All-American.
Image by NY Post
Reebok Question Mid
1997
After being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson signed a sneaker deal with British sportswear powerhouse Reebok. Usually, it takes a season or two for a new signee to receive their own signature shoe. Players have to prove themselves worthy before a brand makes the investment that goes into developing a signature model.Ā But Iverson was different. He was already a star. The first official Allen Iverson shoes with Reebok was the Reebok Question. He most notably wore this shoe while crossing over Michael Jordan in their first matchup after All-Star break (while MJ wore these Jordan 12s). From this moment on, Iverson was viewed as a problem in the league.
Image by Philadelphia Inquirer
Reebok Answer 4
2000-2001
As Iversonās career flourished with age, so did his Reebok line. The first Reebok Answer debuted shortly after the Reebok Question and by Iversonās fifth season in the league, the fourth iteration of the Reebok Answer arrived. He achieved numerous accolades while wearing the Reebok Answer 4. Iverson averaged a career-high of 31.1 points per game, won MVP of the All-Star Game and NBA Season, and to no surprise, led his Philadelphia 76ers to a number one seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs all while wearing these Allen Iverson shoes.
After blazing through the Eastern Conference, Allen Iverson cemented the Reebok Answer 4 as the most well-known Allen Iverson shoes in the 2001 NBA Finals. In the final moments of Game 1 against the defending champion Lakers, Iverson hit a crucial corner pocket three over Tyronn Lue. Lue fell to the ground after the shot and Iverson turned this slip-up into an unforgettable moment. In a burst of swagger and straight-up disrespectfulness, AI stepped directly over Lue in his Answer 4s, sending a message to the world that Iverson and the Sixers were the real deal. Although the Sixers went on to win Game 1 behind a 48 point performance from Iverson, they ultimately lost the series to Kobe, Shaq, and the Laker team. But the iconic scene of Iverson stepping over Lue is remembered far more than any loss.
Allen Iverson Shoes in Collaborations
2006-Present
Reebok has an abundance of silhouettes in their archive. But for good reason, brands and stores tend to gravitate toward Allen Iverson shoes when given the opportunity to collaborate. Sneaker mainstays like Burn Rubber and Sneakersnstuff have found success in Iversonās sneaker roots. They have added their design narratives numerous times to the classic Reebok Question silhouette. Streetwear staples BAPE and BBC also used Allen Iverson shoes as a canvas for their renowned identity. BBC added their iconic pastel color-schemes to the Reebok Answer 5 silhouette while BAPE covered the Reebok Question in their Ape camo.Ā
Inspired by Allen Iverson Shoes
2020
Just because a shoe isnāt made by Reebok doesnāt mean it canāt be inspired by an Allen Iverson shoe. Earlier this year, Nike and Jerry Lorenzo released a Fear of God 1 that drew direct inspiration from the Reebok Question. The Nike Air Fear of God 1 Strong āThe Questionā featured a contrasting suede toe box panel in its design as a homage to Allen Iverson and his legacy. Iverson will always be respected as an influential force on and off the court. As time continues, his legacy will always be pushed to the forefront as inspiration for tomorrowās style.
