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NBA All-Star Weekend draws millions of eyes to not only the players skilled enough to participate in the exhibition matchup but to the footwear themed around each year’s event. Over the years we’ve seen a litany of sneakers released specifically for the monumental weekend in the NBA and plenty of high-profile collaborations launched during this time period, although 2023 has not been as jam-packed full of sneakers as years prior. With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the best sneakers to have released for All-Star weekend and while you’re here give us a follow on Twitter and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest happenings in sneakers, streetwear, and more.
AJ3 OG Black Cement
One of the most popular sneakers of all-time, the Air Jordan 3 “Black Cement” made a triumphant comeback in 2018. This release featured original “Nike Air” branding for the first time since 2001. While they were a GR, their iconic look made them a must-have for everyone, garnering quick sellouts at retailers. Definitely a pair not to miss.
AJ3 Free Throw Line
Along with the return of the “Black Cement,” the Air Jordan 3 “White Cement” would also return in 2018. This version, known as the “Free Throw Line” edition featured a full icy translucent outsole, alongside a red stripe underneath that represented an NBA Free Throw Line. This was a nod to MJ’s famous Dunk Contest from 1988, in which he was wearing the AJ3s as he took flight. To top it off, this pair also featured OG “Nike Air” branding, a first for the “White Cement” colorway since its ‘88 iteration that was released in 2013.
Off-White x AJ 5 Muslin
Virgil Abloh’s work with Nike and Jordan Brand has gone down in the history books as one of the most coveted collaborations of all-time, especially his work on Air Jordan sneakers, with 2020 introducing us to Abloh’s take on the iconic Air Jordan 5. Released around the All-Star Weekend festivities in Chicago that year, Virgil’s favorite colorway of the AJ 5 (the “Metallic”) inspired this stripped-down and ripstop-covered iteration.
LeBron 9 Big Bang
2012 saw Nike Basketball introduce the world to the now-infamous “Galaxy Pack” which took over a slew of sneakers under the roster - including LeBron’s latest signature silhouette at the time, the Nike LeBron 9. Themed after the theorized beginning of the universe (the Big Bang), collectors and the general public went crazy for this pair and to this day it is one of the most sought-after LeBron sneakers of all time.
Foamposite One Galaxy
One of the most hyped All-Star releases of all-time came in 2012 with the “Galaxy” Pack. This collection of footwear from Nike spanned across basketball and lifestyle, including the Air Foamposite One. This was the first time a Foamposite would feature a graphic print on its upper. Foams were all the craze then, and with its limited nature, this pair brought on an abnormal amount of people. It got so big that Nike had to cancel its release and make them only available at select retailers. The Nike Air Foamposite One “Galaxy” has gone on to be one of the most iconic sneakers of all-time.
Kobe 7 Galaxy
Along with the Foamposite One, Kobe Bryant’s seventh signature sneaker, the Nike Kobe 7 was also a part of the “Galaxy” Collection. While the hype for Kobe sneakers was beginning to slow down a bit, this pair, with its outer space graphic, 3M detailing, and glow-in-the-dark outsole had people clamoring to grab a pair on release day.
KD 4 Galaxy
The Nike KD 4 is arguably the best Kevin Durant signature sneaker. What’s even better is that its original run happened when Nike debuted its “Galaxy” Collection for NBA All-Star 2012. The entire collection is out of this world, and the KD 4 is no different. While the Foamposite One might’ve been the main attraction, the KD 4 “Galaxy” a pair not to be slept on.
AJ1 High OG Black Hornet
With the AJ1 High OG buzz starting to rise, Jordan Brand released a special “Black Hornet” colorway to coincide with NBA All-Star 2017. It featured OG-style colorblocking with iridescent accents and a translucent outsole. While they didn’t receive as much love at first, they have definitely grown on people throughout the years.
Air Jordan 1 High OG '85 Black White
As a part of its yearly '85 rendition of the Air Jordan 1 High, Jordan Brand brought back the OG "Black White" colorway for 2023. Seeing a massive amount of demand due to its similarity to the infamous "Panda" Dunk, the sneakers sold out immediately and have had collectors as well as casual sneakerheads chasing down a pair for its versatile colorway and its OG construction
adidas Crazy 8 All-Star
Kobe Bryant’s days with adidas may not have contained the biggest highlights of his career on the court, however, his footwear from this time has remained an iconic part of the late 90s and early 2000s basketball culture. One pair that stands out, and is directly connected to the 1998 NBA All-Star Game, is the aptly dubbed adidas Crazy 8 “All-Star.” Taking on a black color scheme with white and purple accents throughout, Bryant went off with this pair in what many look back on as a monumental moment in NBA history as the young Kobe faced off against MJ in the All-Star game. Truly a classic adidas Basketball silhouette and one that is well connected with the transition of the guard in the NBA at the time.
Rick and Morty x Puma MB.01
While most entries on this list were inline releases from each respective brand, Puma and LaMelo Ball came together with the hit animated TV show Rick & Morty to get schwifty in the Puma MB.01. Its mismatched color scheme alongside co-branded details with Rick & Morty made this sneaker one of the hottest releases of 2021 let alone All-Star Weekend. Whether you’re showcasing your love for the show, want a wild in-your-face sneaker design, or a good pair to ball on the court with, the Rick & Morty x Puma MB.01 is a solid choice for the collection.
Kobe 9 Elite All-Star
For the 2014 All-Star Game in New Orleans, Nike crafted a “Gumbo League” inspired set of Nike Basketball models and the Kobe 9 Elite joined in on the festivities. Featuring intricate patterns throughout its design, multi-color shades, and Big Easy-inspired graphics made one of Kobe’s best performance sneakers stand out amongst the rest of the collection that year.
Jordan New Beginnings Pack
With the 2020 NBA All-Star festivities being held in Chicago, Jordan Brand went all out with its releases. Exclusive to the Windy City was a two-pack of Jordan’s, entitled the “Beginning Moments” Pack. This set featured an Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG alongside the Jordan Air Ship. This marked the first retro release for the Air Ship, coming in a clean white and red colorway. With OG collectors hyped for this pack, its super limited nature has made it very sought after. Not only because of the Air Ship, but the AJ 1 as well.
AJ3 Unite Fire Red
Jordan Brand blessed us with a red-based Air Jordan 3 Retro for NBA All-Star 2020. Nicknamed the “Unite” edition, this pair featured a red-based leather upper with classic elephant print detailing. Two versions dropped, one pair featuring “Nike Air,” while the other featured “Nike Chi,” representing the city of Chicago, which was only available in the Windy City. While new colorways usually don’t garner as much attention as the OGs, this pair ranks up there for sure.
Kobe 6 All-Star
Kobe Bryant’s signature series of sneakers with Nike is a favorite amongst casual fans of the game, sneakerheads, and professional athletes alike with the Kobe 6 often regarded as the favorite in the pack. For the 2011 All-Star Game, Kobe and Nike created the aptly named “All-Star” colorway which featured the typical faux reptile print in a gradient red pattern mixed with black and white hits. A decade after its release, fans were excited to have another opportunity of purchasing the pair when Nike retroed the sneakers in 2021.
KD 3 All-Star
Back in the year 2011, Kevin Durant was still in the early days of his career and signature series of sneakers with Nike. Landing yet another All-Star appearance only 5 years into his NBA career, Nike crafted an “All-Star” rendition of the silhouette that featured vibrant red hues throughout its build and has become one of the KD 3s best colorways. Now in 2023, we’re getting a retro of this sneaker for the first time since its initial release. KD collectors, sneakerheads, and hoopers alike have been waiting over a decade for the model to make its return and now won’t have to go hunting too far to add this pair to the collection.
Reebok Question Mid All-Star White/Black
Who could forget one of the NBA’s best stars of the early 2000s, Allen Iverson, and his signature series of sneakers with Reebok, the Question and Answer models, during All-Star Weekend? While this year saw the fusion of Dee Brown and AI’s Pump and Question models respectively, 2015 saw Reebok recall one of the most memorable moments in All-Star history when AI dropped 15 points in the fourth quarter during the event in 2002. Named after a quote given during the post-game press conference when AI stated “We were all sitting on the sideline saying: ‘Why not us’,” the pair comes identical to the one he wore in the game and will bring many back to this special moment.
Under Armour Curry 2 All-Star
Stephen Curry’s career saw the Warriors superstar land a major deal with Under Armour with the two crafting technically-advanced performance basketball models like the Under Armour Curry 2. The model saw an “All-Star” makeover in 2016 in which it received a regal-like white and gold finish complete with vibrant red accents on the sockliner. While not the most “hyped” model on this list, the Curry 2s performance on the court and clean color scheme with the “All-Star” rendition make it one of the best All-Star releases of all-time.
BAPE x adidas Dame 4 “Green Camo”
A Bathing APE’s legendary shark hoodies and logos came to one of adidas’ best performance basketball sneakers at the time when the brand collaborated on the adidas Dame 4 for All-Star Weekend 2018. BAPE camo print covered most of the upper with the brand’s “World Gone Mad” acronym on the collar alongside shark teeth on the sole unit tied together this collaborative effort on Dame Dolla’s latest signature silhouette at the time. Even though the hype surrounding both the sneaker and the brand which collaborated on it wasn’t at peak levels, it still drew the eyes of sneaker collectors back when it first released.
