New Jordans 2018 is releasing a trophy-inspird Air Jordan 9 dubbed, "Mop Melo" to commemorate Carmelo Anthony and his National Championship. Carmelo Anthony is one of the most decorated players in basketball history. Sure, he's not yet hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy, but the Baltimore (by way of Brooklyn) product has garnered just about every other accolade one could covet. Before becoming one of the most celebrated Olympic athletes of his time, Melo led the Syracuse Orangemen to their one and only National Championship back in 2003.
To commemorate Melo and the award that foreshadowed his future success, New Jordans 2016 is set to release a trophy-inspired Air Jordan 9. The shoe's Gold and Brown accents are offset by Melo's number, 15, on the heel, his logo on the insole, and embossed leather resembling wood grain. And though Melo was wearing the Nike Shox Supremacy during the finals, a quick glance at the Air Jordan 9 "Melo" recalls the moment he kissed the award and launched a legendary NBA career. As the gold midsole suggests, the shoe represents the trophy he earned in his sole college season. The heels sport Melo's number 15 instead of the usual 23 while the red insoles get "Melo" script in gold. The entire brown mudguard features "woodgrain detailing."
New Jordans 2017 will be expanding their Air Jordan Tinker series with the Air Jordan 13 based off an original sketch by Tinker Hatfield. However, this Air Jordan 13 will look a bit different with its alternate tooling. Some of the new features will include a midfoot strap, mesh constructed upper with Jumpman branding. The Jordan 13 'Tinker' keeps the original's general aesthetic, but the sketch seems to showcase alternate tooling. Additional features include a midfoot strap instead of laces, mesh upper and modified heel branding. Potentially releasing later this year, the "Tinker" Air Jordan 13 falls into Jordan Brand's continuing retro strategy of connecting Tinker Hatfield's original sketches with Michael Jordan's iconic court moments.