The Jordan Brand has unveiled an official partnership in honor of the Basketball Africa League's search for a new king (or kings), which has resulted in themed Air Jordan 37 shoes. These sneakers will come covered in black and yellow hues.
The Air Jordan 37 BAL Finals shoes, however, are player exclusive sneakers and therefore not expected to be launched for the general public. Fans and other sneakerheads who admire the 37th silhouette of Jordan numbered series can check out its other iterations via Nike's website and its associated retail stores.
Air Jordan 37 BAL Finals shoes are adorned with black and yellow hues
The Air Jordan 37 is the latest game shoe from Jordan Brand, designed to offer high performance and comfort for basketball players of all levels. The shoe features a lightweight and breathable mesh upper, a Zoom Air cushioning system, and a Flightwire lacing system for a secure and adaptive fit.
Moreover, these shoes also boast a sleek and stylish design, inspired by the legacy of Michael Jordan and the culture of basketball. The innovative Leno weave uppers of the AJ37 are promoted by Nike in the following ways:
“The upper is a new exploration of Lenoweave that uses a 100% TPE yarn, a monofilament variety that is both strong and pliable. The design of the Lenoweave pattern itself, along with the profile of the tooling, is inspired by the AJ VII and the hand-shaped craftsmanship of West African basket weaving.”
One of the most notable aspects of the Air Jordan 37 is its collaboration with the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a professional league that showcases the talent and passion of African basketball players. To celebrate the BAL Finals, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, in May 2023, Jordan Brand released special editions of the Air Jordan 37 and a Tatum 1.
The low-top version features a black and yellow colorway, with an unique pattern on the quarter overlay and the mudguard. The pattern reportedly reflects the African heritage and the diversity of the BAL teams. The tongue label and the heel clip also feature the colors of the BAL logo -- red, blue, green, and gold. The shoe was presented to the athletes participating in the BAL Finals as a token of appreciation and recognition.
In terms of design, the multilayer exoskeleton is influenced by Nike's widely recognized Huarache shoe:
“The zones of support in the upper are modeled after the configuration of sandal straps and ankle tape. This pattern not only provides containment in the areas of highest need, similar to a layered Huarache exoskeleton, it also adds to the handmade character of the shoe’s design.”
The version of the Air Jordan 37 BAL Finals shoes is designed to honor the spirit and the excellence of African basketball, as well as to promote the growth and development of the sport on the continent. The shoes are also meant to inspire young players to pursue their dreams and follow in the footsteps of their idols.
The Air Jordan 37 is more than just a shoe. It is a statement of culture, identity, and aspiration. It represents the fusion of innovation, artistry, and passion that defines basketball as a global phenomenon. It also celebrates the diversity and unity of the basketball community, across continents, countries, and generations.
In addition to the aforementioned AJ37 shoes, the Jordan Tatum 1 was also dressed in similar themed ensemble. The Tatum 1 version is named after Jayson Tatum, one of the signature athletes of Jordan Brand and a rising star in the NBA.
The shoe has a similar color scheme as the low-top version, but with a different pattern on the upper. The shoe also has a Tatum 1 logo on the tongue and a Jumpman logo on the heel.