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The 2024 NCAA March Madness Sneakers Cheat Sheet

NIL deals, signature sneakers, and other concepts explained ahead of NCAA March Madness.
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It is truly the most wonderful time of the year for basketball fans. Who does not look forward to NCAA March Madness? Well, not me because of an upcoming kidney stone surgery next week. But afterward, I will be ready for the bevy of bubbles bursting and brackets busting.

Thanks to new NIL deals and the sneaker industry's tentacle-like reach over college basketball, fans are going to have lots of questions about player's footwear this spring. So, below are some answers to common questions and storylines to look out for this year.

March Madness Sneaker Explainer

What college basketball fans need to know about sneakers this year.

NIL Deals

LSU Tigers teammates Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith talk during a timeout.

Athletes are finally able to make money off their Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL). Naturally, many players began signing ambassadorship deals with sneaker companies. The only problem is they still must wear their team's brand of footwear on the floor.

The LSU Tigers are a perfect example of this. Angel Reese (Reebok) and Hailey Van Lith (adidas) will both wear Nike sneakers during games. The same goes for Stanford Cardinal center Cameron Brink (New Balance).

Does this hail mary always pay off for sneaker brands? Not at all. Last year, South Carolina Gamecocks guard Aliyah Boston was the face of a national ad campaign for Under Armour but ended up signing with adidas after the WNBA Draft.

Signature Sneakers

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark's black and gold Nike Kobe sneakers.

Do any college basketball players have a signature sneaker line? No. There is not a single player in the NCAA with a signature sneaker. Many players are synonymous with specific hoop shoes. 

The Nike Kobe 5 Protro 'Bruce Lee' is closely associated with Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark. But no signature sneaker deal yet.

Sneaker Debuts

South Carolina Gamecocks guard Zia Cooke defends UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice.

Last March, UCLA Bruins freshman guard Kiki Rice debuted the Air Jordan 38 in the NCAA Tournament. It was a huge moment for women's basketball, Jordan Brand, and the sneaker industry.

While every brand may not debut a new sneaker (especially one as important as the newest Air Jordan model), they will try to capitalize on the moment with fresh gear for their players.

Mamba Programs

Oregon Ducks forward Kwame Evans Jr. reacts after an injury.

At some point, you will hear about Mamba Programs. In September, Vanessa Bryant and Nike announced six schools had been selected as the first group of schools to earn the designation of a Mamba Program.

The Kentucky Wildcats, UConn Huskies, Oregon Ducks, LSU Tigers, USC Trojans, and Duke Blue Devils have received player-exclusive sneakers from Kobe Bryant's signature line. It is a safe bet that they will debut more heat throughout March Madness.

Player-Exclusive Colorways

LeBron James' cardinal and gold Nike sneakers.

What is a player-exclusive colorway, and why can I not buy it? Player-exclusive colorways are sneakers designed specifically for a player or a team. It has been all the rage in the NBA this year for players to wear college-themed kicks, and that trend will carry over into March Madness.

Collaborations

Side view of an Indiana Hoosiers basketball player's black and red adidas sneakers.

Sometimes, sneaker companies will work with fashion labels or other brands to create new uniforms or apparel. A recent example of this is the collaboration between adidas and Fear of God. The Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes both received special gear from the partnership. This is a common tool in the toolbox of brands looking to synergize and cross-pollinate among different demographics.

Ja Morant's white, purple, and gold 'LSU Tigers' Nike sneakers.

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Ja Morant's white, purple, and gold 'LSU Tigers' Nike sneakers.

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