The Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid Sheed is a rather unique sneaker, and that’s exactly why we love it so much. The model following the Pine Green, launched earlier this season, is inspired by NBA legend Rasheed Sheed Wallace. Or, more precisely, by an Air Force 1 made exclusively in his honor in 2001. The NBA champion made grit his trademark. Born in Philadelphia in 1974, he debuted in the NBA in 1995 and his most glorious moment was in 2004 when he lifted the trophy with the Detroit Pistons, after beating the favored Los Angeles Lakers. A four-time All-Star, Wallace also held the technical fouls record, a result of his fiery and passionate character.

The Sheed is the latest Nike shoes signed by the late Virgil Abloh. They are inspired by the original AF1 by Wallace from 2001 and feature a black patent leather upper. The sewn Swoosh on the sides and the two sets of laces recall Off-White’s deconstructed style, famous worldwide.

The ankle velcro strap bears Sheed’s jersey number, while his silhouette is stitched on the white heel. The midsole has been redesigned with a wavy design and rubber studs. The Off-White tag completes the look. The sneakers are sold in a box shaped like a brick wall.

Since 2017, Off-White and Nike have collaborated and created some of the most famous sneakers of all time. Abloh’s original “The Ten” represented a sort of cultural reset for sneaker enthusiasts, and although the legendary designer is no longer with us, his wife, Shannon, recently told the New York Times that she still has a year’s worth of designs we haven’t seen yet.

The Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Mid Sheed will be released in August at Off-White, Nike, the Snkrs app, and some selected retailers worldwide for around 190 euros.

Article originally published on AllinReplica UK