When you think of Tibetan monks, we bet the last thing to cross your mind is basketball (or Jordans for that matter). The truth is, these Buddhist leaders probably have more skill and drip than you do.
Monks Love Basketball
If there’s one pastime that seems to be growing exponentially among the Buddhist monks of southwestern China, it’s basketball. Several videos of these monks showing off skills that rival some of the biggest names in the NBA have gone viral online. It’s definitely one of those things you need to see to believe.
Monks Love Sneakers
Of course, a big part of basketball culture is the basketball shoes…and the monks are definitely not falling short in that department either. They’re making these crazy jump shots and dunks while wearing some of the best sneakers Nike has to offer. That includes Jordans.
Monks Love Jordans
But these kicks aren’t just for the games anymore. Tibetan monks are taking their love for basketball sneakers to the street. If you ever make your way to one of their temples, don’t be surprised to see monks rocking some of the best Jordan colourways with their traditional robes.
Monks Love Jordans
Sneakerheads online are noticing the monks drip. One Instagram user shared “Meditation is temporary, but drip is eternal”, while another won over the comment section with a post reading, “You can’t enter the state of nirvana without the feeling of walking on air…” Kicks have definitely become of of the ways they can share their individual style.
It Wasn’t Always Basketball Sneakers For The Monk’s
Traditionally, Tibetan monks wore Gompa boots made from leather and wool. They are certainly not flashy, but they do their job to protect them from the rugged terrain and cold. That said, there has definitely been a shift toward more practical footwear that suits the modern activities of these Buddhist leaders, whether it’s running like monk Yukai Shimizu or playing basketball.
Do We Spot A Fake?
Chances are, these monks aren’t spending the little they’ve saved on a pair of sneakers that cost $180 USD or more. But honestly, the fakes in the video still look pretty good. You’ll spot fan fave Jordan sneakers like the Air Jordan 11 “Win Like ’96”, Air Jordan 1 High “Pollen”, and Air Jordan 3 Retro SE “Unite”. Other Nike Basketball shoes are also on display, including the Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 “Black” and the SpongeBob SquarePants x Nike Kyrie 5.
Air Jordan 11 “Win Like ’96”
Back in December 2017, the Jumpman Team released this all-red Jordan 11 colourway to pay tribute to Michael Jordan’s 1996 championship season with the Bulls. It also features a white midsole and icy blue translucent outsole below. It’s not hard to see why anyone would want to wear these kicks. Check out more popular Jordan 11 colourways.
Air Jordan 1 High “Pollen”
This black-and-yellow Jordan 1 colourway is the Jumpman’s answer to the popular Wu-Tang Dunk High. It may not have the hip-hop group’s signature logo stamped anywhere, but it’s still one of the in-line releases you can’t pass up. Check out more popular Jordan 1 colourways.
Air Jordan 3 Retro SE “Unite”
Jordan Brand released this chic red, grey, and black Jordan 3 SE “Unite” in 2020. It’s a flipped version of the OG Black Cements. Definitely a bold option for a monk to choose. Check out more popular Jordan 3 colourways.
Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 “Black”
Supreme and Nike kept things simple with this 2020 Air Force 1 collab. Just a plain all-black AF1 design with the NYC brand’s signature Box Logo at the side.
SpongeBob SquarePants x Nike Kyrie 5
Tibetan Monks clearly have a playful side, too. These SpongeBob-inspired basketball shoes were released in 2019 as part of an entire collection with the rest of the Bikini Bottom crew. If you invested in the real deal, you’d be forking out hundreds on the resale market.
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