The epidemic surge of COVID-19 was a spanner in the works for many. As the virus unfolded its relentless march, it halted various eagerly anticipated annual events, including those within the basketball community. This saw tournaments such as March Madness, Quai 54, EYBL, and, of course, the Jordan Brand Classic being put on the back burner for the safety of all. Luckily, not all of the associated footwear releases from that year shared the same fate. While 2020 may be remembered as a time to move past, it also marked the debut of the Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic.
Sneaker enthusiasts were still offered the chance to grab the Air Jordan 3 “UNC” in March of that year, while five impressive sneakers emerged as part of the Quai collection in July. We shouldn’t leave out the vibrant Nike Kobe 5 Protro and KD 13 editions, which were presented to the athletes who had planned to participate in the EYBL programme. Yet, none of these kicks quite stole the limelight like the Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic.”
A Closer Look at the Sneaker’s Design
Like many major events in 2020, the Jordan Brand Classic was paused by the pandemic. Since 2002, this annual event has been a grand display of the US’s finest high school basketball talents. Yet, despite the event’s cancellation due to COVID-19, sneaker fans were still treated to an unofficial glance at the Air Jordan 9 player-exclusive sneakers. Sadly, these shoes were so limited that we could only ever fantasise about owning a pair- and indeed, we did.
The Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic” boasts a predominantly white upper blending glossy patent and smooth matte leather across its build. Livening up the design are bright pink “AIR JORDAN” labels on the tongue. However, the energetic shade also appears on the model’s heel pull tab, the stitched “23” beneath it, and the Jumpman motifs on the insole and outsole.
Still, this sneaker’s unique charm lies in the eye-catching iridescent midsole tooling, an effect echoing in the eye-stay hardware surrounding the tongue. It’s safe to say many would have hoped for a wider release of this stunner, although I will be brave and admit that the shoe could do with dialling down the pink details a bit.
A Glimpse of the Rare Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic” on the Feet of PJ Tucker
While this version of the famous 1993 model was originally created exclusively for participants of the esteemed Jordan Brand Classic event, the Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic”, unsurprisingly, found its way to the King of Sneakers himself, PJ Tucker.
The self-acclaimed sneakerhead gave everyone a visual treat when he sported this special pair in Game 23 between the Houston Rockets and the Charlotte Hornets back in 2021.
How PJ Tucker always seems to secure these exclusive, often elusive, releases remains a mystery. Nevertheless, as passionate sneaker lovers ourselves, we can’t help but marvel at the sight of these exceptional kicks in action, or at least, sort of in action.
Can You Find this Sneaker on Resale Platforms?
Unfortunately, snatching up a pair of these rare kicks is not as easy as you’d wish for us mere mortals. Although these kicks surface on resale sites from time to time, the chances of stumbling upon a pair are as slim as hitting the jackpot. Plus, considering the overwhelming demand and limited availability of these unique sneakers, it’s a given that their resell prices would not be pocket-friendly.
Regardless, let’s keep our fingers crossed that Jordan Brand may decide to bless us with a wider release of these beautiful kicks sometime in the future. Meanwhile, you can check out some other coveted Air Jordan 9 releases (right here), and remember to follow us here at Sneaker Fortress for a regular dose of exciting sneaker news and some enjoyable nostalgia-filled walks down sneaker memory lane.
What do you think of the Air Jordan 9 PE “Jordan Brand Classic”? Is this a pair you would cop if they had a wider release? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Images: @jimmy.shoetron
