A Brief History of Drew League Sneakers

The Drew League has become synonymous with electrifying basketball action and showcasing extraordinary talent on an annual basis since 1973. As the tournament continues to captivate fans worldwide, it has also become a stage for sneaker aficionados, with brands like Nike and adidas unveiling special editions to pay homage to the event's rich heritage. This includes the Nike Air Force 1 Low, Nike PG 5, Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Low, Nike Kyrie 2, Nike Kobe 10, and adidas Harden Vol. 3.

Kyrie Irving will be playing in the 2023 Drew League this summer in a period of intrigue driven by his status as a free agent as both a player and a sneaker endorser. With Kyrie recently spotted wearing Anta sneakers, there is speculation about a possible partnership with the brand. Anta has a modest history of professional endorsements, and Irving's association with them could signal an exciting new chapter in his sneaker journey.

Typically occurring throughout June & July to coincide with the NBA off-season, The Drew League attracts the league's biggest stars and as such is big stage for sneakers. Legendary names including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Paul George, James Harden, and DeMar DeRozan have all graced the Drew League courts, leaving a lasting impact on both the tournament and the sport as a whole. These superstars have utilized the Drew League as a platform to sharpen their skills, engage with the community, and showcase their talents in exhilarating matchups. Their presence in the Drew League not only elevates the level of competition but also solidifies the league's position as a breeding ground for future basketball greats.

Below, you can find a breakdown of the official sneakers made for the Drew League.

Nike Kobe 10 Drew League (2015)

The Nike Kobe 10 Drew League edition was made for the winners of the 2014 Drew League, Hank’s Houdini’s All-Stars. Sporting a black-based upper, the design also features metallic gold accents and paint splatter detailing on the midsole. A custom printed “Black Mamba” graphic adorns the inside tongue, which features “Drew Champs” embroidered across the left and right sneaker, respectively.

Nike Kyrie 2 Drew League (2016)

The Nike Kyrie 2 Drew League was given to the winners of the 2015 Drew League, Los Angeles Unified (LAUNFD). This pair sports a black-based upper with gold accents and an icy translucent outsole. The Drew League “D” logo is present on the medial side of the strap. Interestingly enough, for a limited time, you could create this exact design, complete with the Drew League branding via Nike iD (now known as Nike By You).

Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Low Drew League (2017)

The Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Low Drew League sports a mismatched, multi-colored graphic on the upper. Black accents the rest of the sneaker, which is finished off mismatched Swoosh logos on the sides, Drew League branding on the tongue, the phrase “No Excuse, Just Produce” across the insoles, and “Los Angeles” embroidered on the back heel of the right sneaker.

adidas Harden Vol. 3 Drew League (2018)

The adidas Harden Vol. 3 Drew League edition features a purple-based upper with black, red, and aqua accents. While it does not feature any “Drew League” branding, it was worn by Harden when he played in the 2018 summer league.

Nike Air Force 1 Low Drew League (2020)

In 2020, Nike released a special edition Air Force 1 Low for the Drew League. It comes in the classic “Triple White” colorway featuring Drew League branding in black on the tongue tag, insoles, and heel embroidery. It's simultaneously clean but commemorative, a common theme for exclusive AF1s that don the “Triple White” theme.

Nike Air Force 1 Low Drew League (2021)

The Nike Air Force 1 Low Drew League edition for 2021 took things up a notch from its previous release. This time around, an all-new design was created. Still using the classic “Triple White” pair for its base, the Swoosh on the sides and back heel tab are printed on a gradient design that goes from red to yellow, also seen on the insoles. Drew League branding can be seen via insoles, tongue tag, and heel embroidery.

Nike PG 5 Drew League (2022)

Similar in design to the Nike Hyperdunk 2017 Low, the Nike PG 5 Drew League edition features a multi-colored graphic throughout the upper. It is accented by mismatched colors on the laces, collar, lining, and inner tongue. Finishing things off are the Drew League “D” logo on the tongue, a speckled midsole, and a black outsole.

adidas Rivalry Low 86 Drew League (2023)

The adidas Rivalry Low 86 Drew League was designed to coincide with the 2023 summer tournament. It comes in a clean green, white, and gold colorway. It features a green-based leather upper with hairy suede treatments on the collar and below the lace set. White accents the Three Stripes, tongue tag, and piping around the collar. Metallic Gold branding finishes things off, including a "Drew League" mark on the heel. There is no confirmation that the adidas Rivalry Low 86 Drew League will be released at this time. But you can take an exclusive look at the sample above. If adidas does decide to release this pair in the future, we will let you know.

Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the 50th Anniversary of the Drew League, Kyrie Irving’s sneaker free agency, along with the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.

Steve Jaconetta

Steve Jaconetta is the Head of Content based out of Connecticut. An encyclopedia for sneaker releases, he's covered the industry for over fifteen years. His stops have included Sole Collector, Complex, and StockX, to name a few. He considers the Air Jordan 11 Concord the greatest sneaker of all time and has a strong affection for 80s pop culture. Email: steve@soleretriever.com