The Top 16 Sneaker Legends in NCAA Basketball History

Player: Duke Blue Devils power forward Zion Williamson.

Shoe: Williamson infamously busted out of the Nike PG 2.5 during a regular season game. The eventual top draft pick finished the season in Kyrie Irving's Nike shoes.

How to Buy: Now with the New Orleans Pelicans, Zion Williamson is on his third sneaker with Jordan Brand. Fans can buy the Jordan Zion 3 on the Nike website.

Player: UCLA Bruins point guard Lonzo Ball.

Shoe: It is hard to explain the level of excitement surrounding Ball during his freshman season at UCLA. He was a walking highlight reel that wore the adidas Harden Vol. 1 during his final games in college. 

How to Buy: James Harden's first signature shoe is on sneaker resale websites. However, online shoppers can find the adidas Harden Vol. 8 on the adidas website.

Player: Arizona State Sun Devils shooting guard James Harden.

Shoe: Harden wore the Nike LeBron 6 throughout his last season in college (also check out Daniel Hackett's Nike Kobe 3s).

How to Buy: Harden wore Nike in college and pros before eventually signing with adidas. However, fans can find LeBron James' retro shoes on the Nike website.

Player: Davidson Wildcats point guard Stephen Curry.

Shoe: Curry wore the Nike Hyperdunk during his final season at Davidson.

How to Buy: Like Harden, Curry started his career with Nike before signing with Under Armour. Fans can shop Curry's shoes om the Foot Locker website.

Player: Michigan State Spartans point guard Mateen Cleaves.

Shoe: Reebok Question Mid in a player-exclusive colorway.

How to Buy: Cleaves led Michigan State to a title in the Reebok Question Mid. Fans can find the shoes in similar colorways on the Reebok website.

Player: Georgetown Hoyas center Patrick Ewing.

Shoe: Ewing wore the Nike Legend and the Nike Terminator High during his final season with the Georgetown Hoyas.

How to Buy: Fans can purchase the Nike Terminator High in adult sizes on the Nike website.

Player: North Carolina guard Michael Jordan.

Shoe: Jordan wore the Converse Pro Leather, among other models, during his collegiate career at North Carolina.

How to Buy: This is the lowest the GOAT has ever been ranked on a sneaker list. The Converse shoes are forgettable, but Jordan made them legendary thanks to his iconic game-winning shot in the Big Dance. Fans can shop for his new and retro shoes on the Nike website.

Player: Kentucky Wildcat guards De'Aaron Fox, Isaiah Briscoe, and Malik Monk.

Shoe: Way before there were "Mamba Programs," the 2017 Kentucky Wildcats pulled out retro sneakers Kobe Bryant's signature Nike line. It was an impressive level of sneaker knowledge flashed by the rising stars.

How to Buy: Fans can shop for Kobe Bryant's retro Nike shoes on the sneaker resale website StockX.

Player: Cincinnati Bearcats power forward Kenyon Martin.

Shoe: Martin wore the Air Jordan 12 'Playoffs,' among other models from Jordan's legendary sneaker line during his time in Cincinnati.

How to Buy: The Air Jordan 12 'Playoffs' last released in March 2022. Fans can shop Air Jordan 12 on the sneaker resale website StockX.

Player: North Carolina Tarheels guard Jerry Stackhouse.

Shoe: Stackhouse wore the Air Jordan 10 in the 'Orlando' colorway in the picture above but rocked a wide array of Jordans and Nikes during his time in Chapel Hill.

How to Buy: The Air Jordan 10 'Orlando' was last released in December 2018. Fans can shop Air Jordan 10s on StockX.

Player: San Diego State Aztecs small forward Kawhi Leonard.

Shoe: Leonard wore several different retro Air Jordan models during his time in college. However, the Aztec legend wore the Air Jordan 3 'White Cement' in the picture above.

How to Buy: After starting his career with Jordan Brand, Leonard switched to New Balance (currently on his fourth signature sneaker). Fans can shop Air Jordan 3s on StockX.

Player: The 1992 Michigan Wolverines team included Chris Weber, Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, Juwan Howard, and Ray Jackson.

Shoe: The legendary 'Fab Five' team wore the Nike Air Maestro, Air Huarache, Air Force Max, Air Unlimited, and Air Max 2 Uptempo throughout the 1992 season.

How to Buy: Fans of one of the most iconic teams can try their luck on sneaker resale websites. Currently, the Air Huarache is available on the Nike website.

Player: USC Trojans forward DeMar DeRozan.

Shoe: DeRozan wore the Nike Kobe 4 in a player-exclusive colorway during his final season with the Trojans.

How to Buy: The shoes worn by DeRozan were released in extremely limited quantities in January 2009. There are some rare gems from Kobe's line available on StockX.

Player: Connecticut Huskies point guard Kemba Walker.

Shoe: "Cardiac Kemba" Walker rocked various Air Jordan models at UConn. Walker wore the Air Jordan 7 'Olympics' in the picture above.

How to Buy: The Air Jordan 7 'Olympics' has been released sporadically in various designs over the years. Fans can find similar versions of the Air Jordan 7 on StockX.

Player: Georgetown Hoyas guard Allen Iverson.

Shoe: Iverson wore the Air Jordan 11 'Concord' among other Nike models during his time with the Hoyas. 

How to Buy: Before his rookie season, Iverson was pitched a signature sneaker with Jordan Brand, but he would instead sign a lifetime sneaker deal with Reebok. However, fans can find Air Jordan 11s on StockX.

Player: Arizona Wildcats guard Mike Bibby.

Shoe: Bibby led the Wildcats to the National Championship in the Nike Air Foamposite One.

How to Buy: The Nike Air Foamposite One 'Royal Blue' was last released in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the legendary Wildcats team. Fans can find the shoes on the sneaker resale website StockX.