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Early Look at the Air Jordan 5 "UNC"

Air Jordan 5

Early Look at the Air Jordan 5 "UNC"

Detailed shots of the clean new Jordan 5 inspired by Michael Jordan’s college days in North Carolina.

Matt DeSciora

With March Madness set to take place in the not-so-distant future, Jordan Brand is gearing up for the exciting college basketball tournament by rendering the Air Jordan 5 in a new “UNC” colorway. The “UNC” or “University Blue,” as it's also known as, surprisingly marks the first time the Jordan 5 has appeared in colorway inspired by Michael Jordan’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina.

The “UNC” Jordan 5 doesn’t feature any specific North Carolina Tar Heels branding, but it’s abundantly clear that the shoe references the popular college basketball team. University Blue detailing is found throughout the design, including on its nubuck upper, laces, lace toggle, and shark tooth detailing. In case there was any question about the shoe’s source of inspiration, a Team Jordan branding patch, reminiscent of the patches found on the bottom of basketball jerseys, replaces the Jordan 5’s original “Nike Air” branding on the heel.

Discerning collectors may see the Jordan 5 “UNC” and be reminded of another version of the classic sneaker in a college basketball-style colorway: the Air Jordan 5 “Michigan.” Like the release from 2019, the new “UNC” features the primary uniform color of the school it is inspired by on its design, and the same aforementioned Team Jordan patch. It should also call to mind the similarly styled Air Jordan 4 “University Blue.”

With the new Jordan 5 “UNC,” Jordan Brand continues the college basketball theme’s legacy, one that’s still going strong over 30 years after it debuted on the Air Jordan 1 in 1985. At this point, only a few original Jordan silhouettes haven’t been released in a “UNC” style. We’ll be waiting.

Shop the Air Jordan 5 “UNC” at Stadium Goods

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