After getting drafted first overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Paolo Banchero signed an endorsement deal with Jordan Brand. Since then, he has been fortunate to receive a handful of different Air Jordan PEs for on-the-court use and even had his colorway of the Jordan Luka 1 that he gifted to the Seattle Rotary Boys & Girls Club. Now, continuing to honor the Rotary Club, a spot that helped shape Banchero into the player he is today, Paolo and Jordan Brand have created a unique colorway for the Jordan Heir.
On top of the Rotary Boys & Girls Club influence, Banchero's mother and grandmother helped inspire the design. “Women athletes have always been a huge part of basketball for me: They're the ones who taught me the game,” Paolo says. “My mom played in the WNBA and in college, and she instilled in me the discipline and dedication it takes to win. She and my grandmother have been my biggest inspirations, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. To have my first Jordan Brand Player Edition honor them is special."
The silhouette is coated in the Seattle Rotary Boys & Girls Club colors and has the typical multi-material and multi-layered upper. A jersey-like mesh hits the toebox in a blue gaze shade, matching the wide-spaced mesh on the midfoot. Above this sits a semi-transparent TPU cage in blue gaze with a volt green and black splatter paint design, wrapping from the vamp back to the heel. More pops of volt green find a home on the lining of this TPU panel, the asymmetrical Jordan tag near the vamp, and below the black Jumpman logo on the lateral heel.
Images via Jordan Brand
A black-on-black finish is applied to the mesh tongue and lace set, contrasted by white logos. Paolo Banchero’s Jordan logo graces the left pair, while the standard Jumpman design is on the right. Inside the tongue is an homage to the Seattle Rotary Boys & Girls Club as the logo of the AAU team, Rotary Style, is placed here. Finishing the design is the white foam midsole paired with a black and white rubber outsole.
Paolo Banchero’s Jordan Heir Seattle Rotary Basketball will release February 17, 2025, through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is $110. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Nike
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
