Devin Booker has always been someone who takes a lot of pride in their sneaker game. As he revealed to Joe La Puma during an interview with Complex, the Suns star even has baby pictures with Jordans on his feet. So, it was only obvious that he’d look to expand upon that passion of his as he grew up.
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That said, many would argue that he may have gone a bit too far on one occasion. During a 2015 game between the Florida Gators and his college basketball team, the Kentucky Wildcats, he played while wearing sneakers worth a whopping $3000. The shoes were the product of Jordan Brand’s collaboration with legendary streetwear designer Don C. However, while wearing this model of the Air Jordan 2 was an incredible flex for Booker, he was hilariously asked to explain himself later.
Devin Booker explains his famous Air Jordan 2 story from his time in Kentucky
While the Air Jordan 2s were originally made to play basketball in, it’s unlikely they were the most comfortable in the world to perform in, compared to sneakers available in 2015. However, Booker clearly wasn’t wearing the sneakers solely for performance.
During his performance, he attracted the eyes of many to his feet, including Don C. In fact, the athlete even left the designer shocked, as the sneakers were unreleased at the time. This led him to call Booker after the game to ask how he has them already, as the Suns star revealed on Complex.
“Yeah, that [wearing the Don C Air Jordan 2s in a game] was a special moment, That was probably my craziest in-game moment. I remember Don hit me right after the game too. Not only Don, but Compliance hit me. ‘How are you playing these $3000, unreleased shoes?!’ So, that was a conversation I had to have the next day.”
Devin Booker likely had a friend on the inside who helped him acquire the then-unreleased sneakers. And admittedly, given everyone’s shock that he had them at all, it’s hard to imagine that friend wasn’t sweating buckets as soon as he was aware of the situation.
Looks aside, though, how did the now-Suns star perform in the designer sneakers?
In 25 minutes he played off the bench, DBook recorded 12 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 6 of 11 from the field in a 68-61 victory. So, we’d say he performed adequately well for his team, despite his sneakers being a fashion statement rather than a choice to improve his performance.
Don C’s thoughts on his collaboration with Jordan Brand
Merely owning a pair of Air Jordans has been a point of pride for sneaker enthusiasts for years. So, having the opportunity to design one would likely feel indescribable. Speaking on that aspect and more, the following is what Don C told Complex.
“I knew I couldn’t hoop so I wasn’t gonna get no shoe that way! I had to figure out another way. I cannot hoop at all, but I have a Jordan”
While he may not have been much of a ‘hooper’ himself, the designer has undoubtedly left a massive impression on the basketball community. His idea was not only to make shoes that can be used for a special occasion, but rather, something you can wear with everything.
“From a design aesthetic, I think it’s fresh. It’s so 2016. It’s like cream so you can wear it with everything. It should age real well. You can hoop and style in these.”
We can say that Don C achieved his goal. After all, the ‘Don C 2s’ are now known as one of the most beautiful basketball sneakers of all time.
