Amanda Knapp
The University of Michigan's basketball team wore pink shoes to raise awareness for breast cancer and to honour survivors. The team first wore pink shoes in 2017 for Coaches vs. Cancer Week. Since then, the University of Michigan has hosted an annual Pink Game to raise awareness for breast cancer, with the team wearing maize uniforms with pink trim and pink shoes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for wearing pink shoes | To raise awareness for breast cancer |
| Date | February 14 |
| Opponent | Iowa |
| Score | 74-59 |
| Player who started wearing pink shoes | Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman |
| Team | University of Michigan Wolverines |
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What You'll Learn
To raise awareness for breast cancer
The University of Michigan's basketball team wore pink shoes to raise awareness for breast cancer. In 2018, the Wolverines men's basketball team wore pink shoes during their 14-game winning streak, which began with a victory over Iowa. The pink shoes were first worn by Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, who started wearing them after needing a replacement pair. His teammates, including Duncan Robinson, Jaaron Simmons, and CJ Baird, soon followed suit.
Abdur-Rahkman's pink shoes became his signature style and were considered his good luck charms. Michigan assistant coach Saddi Washington referred to him as "Pink Shoes Hamm," and said, "Whatever works for those guys, we're all for it." The team also wore pink shoes during their annual "Pink Game" to support breast cancer awareness and honor survivors.
The University of Michigan women's basketball team also hosted their annual "Pink Game" to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer. The team wore maize uniforms with pink trim and pink shoes for the game. The first 1,000 fans in attendance received a free pink replica jersey, and all fans received pink pom-poms. Breast cancer survivors in attendance were recognized for their strength and courage during halftime.
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To honour cancer survivors
The University of Michigan's basketball team wore pink shoes to honour cancer survivors and raise awareness about breast cancer. The team first wore pink shoes in 2017 during Coaches vs. Cancer Week for a game against Indiana. The team wore pink shoes again in 2018 during the NCAA tournament, which started with a game against Iowa. The team has continued to wear pink shoes for their annual Pink Game to support breast cancer awareness. During the 2018 tournament, several players wore pink shoes, including Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, who started wearing pink shoes the previous season. Abdur-Rahkman's pink shoes became his signature style, and he earned the nickname "Pink Shoes Hamm" from his coaches and teammates. The team's pink shoes during the 2018 tournament aligned with their 14-game winning streak, with players like Zavier Simpson acknowledging the potential role of the shoes in their success.
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To break a losing streak
The University of Michigan's basketball team wore pink shoes to raise awareness for breast cancer. The team received the shoes on February 14 to wear against Iowa, which they won with a score of 74-59. This was the start of their 14-game winning streak.
Superstitious players like Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman believed that the pink shoes were his good luck charms. He started wearing them after needing a replacement pair for a game against Illinois, where he scored 17 points. He continued wearing them in games that followed, including during the Wolverines’ semifinal against Loyola-Chicago.
However, not all players are fans of the pink shoes. Zavier Simpson, for example, shared that he does not like wearing them because he got injured while wearing them.
The University of Michigan women's basketball team also wore pink shoes for their annual Pink Game, presented by the Rogel Cancer Center. The event aimed to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
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As a good luck charm
Collegiate basketball players from the University of Michigan have been spotted wearing pink shoes during games. The trend is believed to have started with Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, who began wearing pink shoes after needing a replacement pair for a game against Illinois. He scored 17 points in that game and continued to wear the pink shoes in subsequent games, leading to his teammates following suit.
Abdur-Rahkman's pink shoes became his signature style and were often referred to as his "good luck charms". His coaches and teammates even gave him the nickname "Pink Shoes Hamm". The pink shoes trend seemed to coincide with the team's winning streak, with some players believing that the shoes brought them good luck.
In addition to being a good luck charm, the University of Michigan's annual Pink Game also incorporates the fight against breast cancer. During this game, the team wears maize uniforms with pink trim and pink shoes to raise awareness and support for breast cancer survivors. The Rogel Cancer Center presents this event, which includes recognising breast cancer survivors' strength and courage during halftime.
While some players, like Abdur-Rahkman, embraced the pink shoes trend, others, like Zavier Simpson, were not fans. Simpson shared that he avoided wearing the pink shoes after sustaining an injury while playing in them. Despite varying opinions, the pink shoes made a fashion statement and left a memorable impact on the court.
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To make a fashion statement
While some might argue that the University of Michigan basketball team's choice to wear pink shoes is rooted in superstition, it is also a bold fashion statement.
The team first wore pink shoes during their game against Illinois last season, when player Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman needed a replacement pair and opted for his pink practice shoes. He scored 17 points that game, and his lucky pink shoes soon became his signature style.
The pink shoes trend caught on with his teammates, who also wore pink shoes during their game against Loyola-Chicago. The team's pink shoes also made a statement off the court, as they wore them to raise awareness for breast cancer during their Pink Game against Iowa on Valentine's Day.
The University of Michigan's women's basketball team has also made a fashion statement by wearing maize uniforms with pink trim and pink shoes for their annual "Pink Game" to raise awareness for breast cancer. The team invites breast cancer survivors to be recognized for their strength and courage on the court during halftime.
Thus, while the pink shoes may have started as a superstitious choice for Abdur-Rahkman, they have evolved into a fashion statement for the team, both on and off the court.
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Frequently asked questions
To raise awareness for breast cancer and honour survivors.
During the 2016-17 season, the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team wore pink shoes for Coaches vs. Cancer Week.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, Moe Wagner, Duncan Robinson, Jaaron Simmons, and C.J. Baird.
Maize and blue.
