The 10 Best Shoes of NCAA Men's & Women's March Madness
The 2023 NCAA Basketball Tournament was nothing short of legendary. Hoops fans will never forget this year's March Madness thanks to the overload of upsets, buzzer-beaters, and emotional moments.
While the teams handled their business on the hardwood, their sneaker sponsors ensured the players and coaches looked good in the process. Below are the top basketball shoes worn on the court during the 2023 NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments.
10. UA Flow Breakthru 3
The South Carolina Gamecocks celebrate during a game.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Player: The South Carolina Gamecocks.
Shoe: Most of the South Carolina Gamecocks (and Maryland Terrapins) wore the UA Flow Breakthru 3 throughout the tournament.
How to Buy: Women hoopers can choose between several colorways of the UA Flow Breakthru 3 on the Under Armour website for $120.
9. adidas Harden Vol. 7
DJ Horne celebrates after a play.
Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports
Player: Arizona State Sun Devils guard DJ Horne.
Shoe: Horne and some of his teammates wore the adidas Harden Vol. 7 in a player-exclusive 'Arizona State Sun Devils' colorway.
How to Buy: James Harden took care of his alma mater with player-exclusive colorways of his newest signature shoe. Fans can choose between five colorways of the adidas Harden Vol. 7 on the adidas website for $160.
8. Nike LeBron 20
Antonio Reeves reaches for a loose ball.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Player: Kentucky Wildcats guard Antonio Reeves.
Shoe: Reeves wore the Nike LeBron 20 in a player-exclusive 'Kentucky Wildcats' colorway.
How to Buy: Fans will not be able to purchase LeBron James' 20th signature shoe in the Wildcats' colors. However, they can choose between multiple colorways of the Nike LeBron 20 on the Nike website.
7. Air Jordan 11
Sean East II dribbles the ball.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Player: Missouri Tigers guard Sean East II.
Shoe: East wore the Air Jordan 11 in the 'Cool Grey' colorway.
How to Buy: Missouri is sponsored by Nike, not Jordan Brand. But East got by with wearing some of Michael Jordan's most recognizable kicks during the Big Dance. The Air Jordan 11 'Cool Grey' has an average resale price of $296 on the sneaker resale website StockX.
6. adidas Dame 8
View of Norchad Omier's shoes.
© Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Player: Miami Hurricanes forward Norchad Omier.
Shoe: Omier wore the adidas Dame 8 in a player-exclusive 'Miami Hurricanes' colorway.
How to Buy: Adidas has released several colorways of Damian Lillard's eighth signature shoe, and perhaps none are cleaner than the 'Canes colorway. Fans can shop the adidas Dame 8 at a discount on the adidas website.
5. Jordan Luka 1
Dylan Andrews dribbles the ball.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Player: UCLA Bruins guard Dylan Andrews.
Shoe: Andrews wore the Jordan Luka 1 in a player-exclusive 'UCLA Bruins' colorway.
How to Buy: Luka Doncic's first signature shoe with Jordan Brand has been a hit with hoopers at every level. While the Bruins-inspired colorway remains a player-exclusive, fans can purchase the Jordan Luka 1 for $110 on the Nike website.
4. Nike KD 15
Alex Karaban reacts after a play.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Player: UConn Huskies forward Alex Karaban.
Shoe: Karaban wore the Nike KD 15 in a player-exclusive 'UConn Huskies' colorway.
How to Buy: Kevin Durant is a well-documented sneakerhead, so it is only fitting that his 15th signature shoe gets so many player-exclusive colorways for Nike schools. Fans can purchase the Nike KD 15 at a discounted price on the Nike website.
3. Jordan Tatum 1
Darrion Trammell dribbles the ball.
Russell Lansford-USA TODAY Sports
Player: San Diego State Aztecs guard Darrion Trammell.
Shoe: Trammell wore Jordan Tatum 1 in the 'Zoo' colorway.
How to Buy: Wearing Jayson Tatum's first signature shoe with Jordan Brand before it is officially released is a major flex by the Aztecs. The good news for fans is that these exact shoes will be released in the next few days on the Nike website.
2. Nike Kobe 5 Protro
View of Caitlin Clark's shoes.
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Player: Iowa Hawkeyes point guard Caitlin Clark.
Shoe: Clark wore the Nike Kobe 5 Protro in the 'Bruce Lee' colorway.
How to Buy: Do you know how good of a player you must be for people to associate one of Kobe Bryant's basketball shoes with you? Clark made history in the Nike Kobe 5 Protro, and fans can purchase the shoes for an average resale price of $539 on StockX.
1. Air Jordan 38
Kiki Rice dribbles the ball.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Player: UCLA Bruins point guard Kiki Rice.
Shoe: Rice debuted the Air Jordan 38 in a never-before-seen colorway.
How to Buy: Rice made history in October by becoming the first NIL athlete in Jordan Brand history. The UCLA Bruins freshman continued her tour de force by debuting an unreleased model from Michael Jordan's legendary Air Jordan sneaker line during the Big Dance.
Of course, the shoes have not been released to the public yet. Chalk it up to being one of the best players at the most historic basketball program in the country. In the meantime, fans can purchase the Air Jordan 37 at a discount on the Nike website.
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