Jordan Brand unveils NBA basketball player Zion Williamson’s first signature sneaker, the « Zion 1 ». The new silhouette is inspired by the New Orleans Pelicans player’s immense physical attributes and personal influences that make him a unique superstar.
Zion Williamson is a 20 year old athlete who plays the power forward position on the New Orleans Pelicans NBA team after being selected first overall in the 2019 draft. Although he has only played about 100 games in the NBA and NCAA, Zion Williamson intrigues and excites. He impresses with his speed, power and dexterity.
On January 22, 2020, he scored his first NBA basket in a very calm manner. He combines nonchalant power and agility seemingly innate. That night, he finished the game as the player with the most points per minute for an NBA debut, 17 to be exact.
Zion Williamson also made a strong impression on Jordan Brand teams with his down-to-earth nature and rooted in great values like love of family and gratitude to those who supported him. Signed in July 2019, Williamson joined a roster of ne’er-do-wells at Jordan Brand who ushered in a new era for performance footwear. These are created to bring innovative definition and not just respect the brand’s strong heritage.
Vianney de Montgolfier, senior shoe designer at Jordan Sport explains : « We knew that one of Zion’s main inspirations for the shoe’s look was superhero armor. But when we thought of an icon or symbol that would clearly highlight the sneaker’s benefits, the « Z » made perfect sense to us. It’s the letter of speed, it has the basis of power, and it’s perhaps the most distinct letter in the alphabet. There is no other letter like it. »
The « Zion 1 » silhouette introduced today features a mid-top construction with the forefoot and heel separated by a « Z » in the center. This base is made of technical and comfortable materials and is supported by a full-length Air strobel outsole and Zoom Air cushioning unit encapsulated in a midsole for added protection.
This new sneaker is offered in 4 initial colorways.
The 1st version named « Gen Zion » is dressed in classic and timeless white and black colors. It represents the base on which we can build others. Zion Williamson said, « The white and black color scheme is important to me. Growing up, I was taught that your original base is your foundation. Whether it’s your family or your brothers/friends, you need a solid foundation to start with, and that’s what this inaugural colorway represents to me ».
The colorway « ZNA » is inspired by the duality of Williamson’s game : powerful and graceful, strong and soft, understated and dominant. It combines grey and bluish purple with a touch of coral.
The third iteration, called « Noah », is influenced by the unbreakable bond between Zion and his little brother Noah. Noah’s drawings made during his visits to Nike headquarters are transcribed on the shoe through multicolored graphic prints on the back of the foot. The front part is adorned with white. The design is completed by black accents and an outsole matching the childish graphics.
The final colorway « Marion » represents the basketball player’s home in South Carolina, the place that made him the man he is today : devoted to his family, loyal in friendship and adept at hard work. The shoe combines white and silver-grey with burgundy and pink inserts, such as the side « Z », collar and outsole.
A selection of Zion-infused apparel with a streetwear vibe will complete this first Williamson « Zion 1 » signature collection.
The Air Jordan « Zion 1 » will be released on different dates depending on the colorway. The inaugural « Gen Zion » will be available April 23, 2021, the « ZNA » will launch May 5, the « Noah » will be available May 19 and the « Marion » will arrive May 25, 2021 at Jordan Brand retailers and on nike.com. This silhouette will be available in family sizes, with prices ranging from 50$ for babies to 120$ for men’s sizes.
