Ayrton Oneill
The UNC Tar Heels basketball team wore pink Jordan Luka 1 shoes in a game against Syracuse Orange on January 24, 2023. This was part of the Coaches vs. Cancer series, with the shoes designed to help raise awareness in the fight against cancer. Several basketball players have worn pink shoes to honor those affected by breast cancer, including UNC's Tony Bradley, who wore pink shoes at the 2017 NCAA championship game in memory of his great-grandmother, Flossie, who passed away from the disease. Similarly, in 2019, several members of the Michigan men's basketball team wore pink sneakers during the NCAA Tournament to support breast cancer awareness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team | UNC Tar Heels |
| Game | Against Syracuse Orange |
| Date | January 24, 2023 |
| Shoe | Jordan Luka 1 |
| Shoe Colour | Pink and White |
| Reason | To raise awareness in the fight against cancer |
| Shoe Provider | Jordan Brand |
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What You'll Learn
To support breast cancer awareness
The UNC Tar Heels basketball team wore pink Jordan Luka 1 shoes against Syracuse Orange on January 24, 2023. The shoes were designed to help raise awareness in the fight against cancer, specifically breast cancer. The Tar Heels' social media account shared pictures of the unreleased pink and white shoes before the game, which was part of the Coaches vs. Cancer series.
Wearing pink shoes to honour those affected by breast cancer is not a new trend in the basketball world. Several players have worn pink shoes to support the cause. For example, during the Michigan men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament run, several Wolverines wore pink sneakers during their wins, including in their game against Maryland, in support of breast cancer awareness. Freshman David DeJulius, who continued to wear the shoes after the Maryland game, said that his decision was inspired by his cousin, who beat breast cancer, and the many others affected by the disease.
In 2017, UNC's Tony Bradley was the only player wearing pink shoes at the NCAA championship game. He wore them in memory of his great-grandmother, Flossie, who died from breast cancer. He also wanted to raise awareness for breast cancer, stating, "We started out wearing these for breast cancer awareness, and I like pink and it stands out a little bit. All of us try to do the same thing."
In addition to wearing pink shoes, the Tar Heels have also participated in the Shoes4Hope initiative to benefit cancer research. As part of this project, Tar Heel coaches wore shoes painted by patients from the Children's Hospital, with assistance from Tar Heel players. The project aimed to highlight the need for improved research and care for young cancer patients, who only receive about four percent of the federal government's annual cancer research budget.
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To pay homage to loved ones who have fought cancer
The UNC Tar Heels basketball team wore pink Jordan Luka 1 shoes against Syracuse Orange on January 24, 2023. The shoes were designed to help raise awareness in the fight against cancer. The game was part of the Coaches vs. Cancer series, with the shoes being a part of the Jordan Luka 1 line that launched in September 2022.
Wearing pink shoes to honour loved ones who have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer is not a new occurrence in the basketball world. For instance, in 2017, UNC's Tony Bradley was the only player wearing pink shoes at the NCAA championship game. He wore them for his great-grandmother, Flossie, who passed away from breast cancer.
In another instance, several Wolverines of the Michigan men's basketball team wore pink sneakers during their wins and intended to continue doing so. Freshman David DeJulius wore the shoes because his cousin beat breast cancer, and he knew many others affected. His classmate Brandon Johns Jr. also wore the pink shoes as he knew people who had fought or were currently fighting breast cancer.
In a similar vein, Jarvis Garrett, the backup point guard of the Rhode Island Rams, wore pink Adidas D Lillard 3's to pay homage to his godmother, Barbara Burton-Malone, who passed away in 2014.
Beyond the players, the Tar Heels coaching staff has also participated in initiatives like Shoes4Hope to benefit cancer research. As part of this, the coaches wore shoes painted by patients from the Children's Hospital, with assistance from the Tar Heel players. The project aimed to highlight the need for improved research and care for young cancer patients, who only receive about four percent of the federal government's annual cancer research budget.
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To stand out on the court
While wearing pink shoes to honour those affected by breast cancer is a common occurrence in the basketball world, some players also wear them to stand out on the court.
Iona's Taylor Bessick, for instance, wore pink Adidas Crazy 8s during the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2017. When asked about his choice of footwear, he said:
> I'm a sneakerhead, and I just want to stand out on the court.
Jarvis Garrett, the backup point guard of the Rhode Island Rams, wore pink Adidas D Lillard 3's to pay homage to his godmother, Barbara Burton-Malone, who passed away in 2014. He also noted that the colour choice was a way to stand out from his team's usual colours of navy and Columbia blue.
Tony Bradley, the only UNC player wearing pink shoes at the 2017 NCAA championship game, also acknowledged the visual impact of the colour:
> [The shoes] stand out a little bit. All of us try to do the same thing.
Beyond making a statement on the court, pink shoes can also be a source of personal expression and creativity for players within the constraints of team uniforms and colours. For instance, Michigan's Jordan Poole, who wore pink sneakers during the NCAA Tournament, commented on the lack of opportunities for self-expression within the team:
> There is very little creativity that we are able to express on this team.
Thus, the choice to wear pink shoes can be a way for players to assert their individuality and make a statement on the court, whether it is a personal fashion choice, a way to pay tribute to a loved one, or a means to raise awareness for a cause.
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To showcase the latest shoe releases
While there are various reasons why basketball players wear pink shoes, one of the reasons could be to showcase the latest shoe releases.
Basketball players are often supplied with the latest shoe releases by major brands like Nike, Adidas, and Jordan. For instance, the UNC Tar Heels basketball team wore pink Jordan Luka 1 shoes, which were released in September 2022 and retailed at $110. These shoes are designed for players who crave speed and support, featuring full-length "Formula 23" foam cushioning and "Flight Wire" cables for enhanced performance.
Players may also choose to wear the latest shoe releases to stand out on the court and express their individuality. Iona's Taylor Bessick, for example, wore pink Adidas Crazy 8s, a special-edition colorway released for Halloween in 2015. Jarvis Garrett, the backup point guard for the Rhode Island Rams, wore pink Adidas D Lillard 3's, a colorway that stood out from his team's traditional navy and Columbia blue colors.
Additionally, wearing the latest shoe releases can be a source of excitement and a feeling of accomplishment for players. College basketball players, in particular, may seek out unique shoe releases to express their creativity and make a fashion statement while adhering to uniform requirements.
The release of new shoe colorways can also be strategically timed to coincide with specific events or causes. For example, the UNC Tar Heels wore pink shoes as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer series to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This initiative not only showcased a new shoe colorway but also served a greater purpose, highlighting the players' support for a meaningful cause.
Therefore, while showcasing the latest shoe releases may be one reason for basketball players to wear pink shoes, it is often intertwined with personal preferences, team dynamics, and the desire to support important initiatives.
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To support a good cause and make a fashion statement
The UNC Tar Heels basketball team wore pink Jordan Luka 1 shoes in a game against Syracuse Orange on January 24, 2023. The shoes were designed to help raise awareness in the fight against cancer and were released as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer series.
The Tar Heels' social media account shared pictures of the unreleased pink and white shoes before the game. The players wore them not only to support a good cause but also to make a fashion statement. The shoes, designed for players craving speed and support, offer full-length "Formula 23" foam cushioning and "Flight Wire" cables for added support and lockdown.
Wearing pink shoes to honour those affected by breast cancer is not a new trend in the basketball world. Several players have chosen to wear pink shoes to pay homage to their loved ones who have battled the disease. For example, in 2017, UNC player Tony Bradley wore pink shoes at the NCAA championship game in memory of his great-grandmother, Flossie, who passed away from breast cancer.
In another instance, the Michigan men's basketball team wore pink Jordans during their home game against Maryland in 2019 to support breast cancer awareness. Freshman player David DeJulius shared that his reason for continuing to wear the pink shoes was "first and foremost, what it stands for: breast cancer". He has a personal connection to the cause as his cousin is a breast cancer survivor.
Beyond their symbolic significance, the pink shoes also offer a way for players to express their creativity and individuality on the court. As sophomore Jordan Poole mentioned, the pink sneakers provided a rare opportunity to stand out and showcase their unique style.
Through their choice of footwear, the basketball players of UNC and Michigan effectively combined fashion with a meaningful cause, using their platform to raise awareness and show their support for those affected by cancer.
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Frequently asked questions
NC basketball players wear pink shoes to raise awareness in the fight against cancer.
The fight against cancer refers to efforts to improve cancer research, treatment, and care with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for the disease.
Pink shoes help in the fight against cancer by raising awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment. The attention drawn by the unique color can be used to highlight the need for better research and care, as well as provide a source of comfort and support for those affected by the disease.
Yes, NC basketball players have also participated in the Shoes4Hope project, where they painted shoes with patients from the Children's Hospital to draw attention to the need for improved research and care for pediatric cancer patients. The painted shoes are then auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting cancer research.
Yes, the Michigan men's basketball team wore pink sneakers during their NCAA Tournament run in 2019 to support breast cancer awareness. Individual players from other teams, such as Jarvis Garrett of the Rhode Island Rams, have also worn pink shoes to honor loved ones who passed away from cancer. These gestures show the widespread support for cancer awareness and the personal significance it holds for many athletes.
