Since it debuted in 1985, the Dunk has always been here. Before it became a streetwear icon, the silhouette began its journey on the university hardwood. Worn by the college ballers and their fans in the 80s, it was popularized again in the 2000s by the skateboarders.
SNEAKERS
Dunks were first released in 1985 in a pack of colour-coordinated products for university hardwood, and soon the design became popular worldwide. Below, we selected nine highly coveted colorways, from the UCLA-inspired to Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Michigan’ 2021
First released in 1985, Nike Dunk Low ‘Michigan’ is one of the silhouette’s original ‘Be True to Your School’ colorways. The 2021 version comes as low-top version and it is previously retroed in 2020. It features the all-leather upper in a Varsity Maize hue with contrasting Midnight Navy accents on the Swoosh and forefoot and heel overlay.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Michigan State’
Released in June 2021, this low-top version of the Nike Dunk, was originally made in honor of Michigan State University. It features a white leather upper with green leather overlays, imbuing the sneaker with the school’s colors.
Nike Dunk Low ‘UCLA’
This year, the Nike Dunk Low received the UCLA-inspired colorway for all the Golden State Warriors fans. Constructed in full leather, the classic silhouette comes in the classic blue jay, university gold and white color scheme. These UCLA dunks feature a traditional two-tone base, with white midsole and blue outsole, while the Swoosh label is highlighted in blue.
Nike Dunk Low ‘USC’
Inspired by the University of Southern California Trojans, the USC dunks arrive as an updated two-tone palette of dark red overlays over a golden yellow base. This retro silhouette also features dark red swoosh, a woven Nike tag on the tongue and embroidered Nike wordmark on the heel tab.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Syracuse’
The Nike Dunk Low “Syracuse” is returning on November 1st. Representing the University of Syracuse basketball team, this two-tone high-top silhouette features the all-leather upper. A white base is combined with Orange Blaze overlays, and completed with a woven Nike tag on the breathable mesh tongue.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Kentucky’
One of the Nike’s legendary ‘Be True to Your School’ series from 1985, the Dunk Low Kentucky was originally made for the University of Kentucky. This time it is updated as a versatile low-top silhouette and features a white leather upper with royal blue overlays, as well as s breathable mesh tongue with a woven Nike tag, and a Nike logo hit on the heel tab.
Nike Dunk Low ‘Georgetown’
Coming in a simplistic two-tone palette the Nike Dunk Low ‘Georgetown’ is inspired by the Hoyas. It features the leather upper with a light grey base and contrasting overlays in a deep navy colorway, as well as a woven Nike tongue tag and an embroidered Nike wordmark on the heel tab.
Dunk Low SP ‘UNLV’ 2021
This model is also one of the original colorways from the 1985, here represented in low-top form. The 2021 model of the Nike Dunk Low SP ‘UNLV’ comes in the signature colors of the University of Las Vegas, featuring a light grey leather base with contrasting University Red overlays.
This Nike Dunk represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, but it could also be used to represent the colors of Ohio State.
Nike Dunk Low ‘University Blue’
A nod to Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, the Nike Dunk Low UNC is constructed of a white leather upper with University Blue overlays and Swooshes, with a white and blue woven Nike tongue label that completes the design.
