In 2003, a young Carmelo Anthony took the court with his Syracuse squad for the national championship game. He collected a smooth 21 points with patented ‘Melo versatility: at the rim, in the post, and from range. It was an effort that earned him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player trophy and his alma mater their first and only title.
This Air Jordan 9 honors the orange-clad prodigy. It swaps the embroidered ’23’ on the heel with ‘Melo’s own ’15,’ and includes his moniker on the sockliner in a smooth, languorous script. Metallic gold touches and woodgrain detailing nod to the MOP trophy he hoisted at the peak of his lone college season – perhaps the most brilliant ever turned in by a freshman. Additional details include a white leather upper, a red Jumpman on the midsole, and a milky white translucent outsole.