👀 Sneaker of the Week: Air Jordan 8 “Aqua”

🔥 The Weekly Lace-Up: KD’s upcoming Nike KD 18 “Atomic Pink,” a potential Clipse x adidas collab, and the reveal of Giannis’s new Nike signature shoe

📸 Kick Flick: Angel Reese reveals the Reebok Angel Reese 1 on the cover of NBA 2k26 WNBA Edition

Each week, we’ll select one standout pair, be it a classic, sleeper, new drop, or something with a story worth telling. Plus, Chase will give his verdict.

This week, we’ve tapped…

In this issue, we’ll be exploring the Air Jordan 8 “Aqua.”

Originally released in 1993, the Air Jordan 8 “Aqua” is considered one of the greatest Jordans of all time. Famously making an appearance in the ‘93 NBA All-Star Game, the bold colorway was retroed in 2007 and again in 2015, each time to major fanfare. Now in 2025, the “Aqua” returns for a fourth time, staying true to the iconic details that made the original an instant classic.

The “Aqua” was one of three original Air Jordan 8 colorways released by Nike in 1993. Alongside the two Bulls-themed versions—the “Home” and the black-based “Playoff,” which Michael Jordan wore throughout the ’93 Playoffs—the “Aqua” stood out for its unmistakable pops of purple and teal. Jordan only wore the “Aqua” once, and not even in a regular-season game—it was during the 1993 NBA All-Star Game. Still, the look has lived on for decades, thanks to high-profile co-signs from the likes of Kanye West and Chris Brown, both of whom were frequently spotted in the 2007 retro.

Now, ten years after its last release, the “Aqua” is finally returning. And for collectors and longtime fans, the good news is this retro stays true to form.

Just like the OG, the 2025 version features the signature cross-straps over the laces, a premium black nubuck upper, and bold hits of Aqua and Bright Concord across the midsole. Rounding out the look is the beloved multicolor chenille Jumpman on the tongue, arguably one of the most memorable touches in the entire Jordan line.

The Jordan 8 “Aqua” drops on July 19th via Nike.com and at Jordan Brand locations. Retail is set for $215.

Jordan Brand is back in the headlines, and for good reason. On July 19th, the footwear giant will re-release one of the greatest basketball shoes ever made: the iconic Air Jordan 8 “Aqua.”

Worn by Michael Jordan at the ‘93 All-Star Game, the “Aqua” is as synonymous with the GOAT’s sneaker legacy as any other Air Jordan from the line’s heyday, in my humble opinion.

Here’s why: with two cross-straps layered over the laces like a protective straitjacket, a fuzzy, multicolor chenille Jumpman on the tongue, and that oh-so-great early-to-mid-90s Aqua and Bright Concord detailing on the heels, the “Aqua” Jordan 8 was unlike anything else on shelves when it dropped in 1993. And it still holds up today.

This isn’t just a bringback, it’s a victory lap.

Slated for a WNBA All-Star Weekend release on July 18th, the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Total Orange” is shaping up to be one of the summer’s hottest drops.

This fiery new colorway of Kobe Bryant’s sixth signature shoe commands attention with an all-orange treatment that rivals the Kobe 6 Protro’s iconic “Grinch” and “Reverse Grinch” editions—bold and built for the spotlight. Buy them now →

Fans of the Air Jordan 3 have had plenty to celebrate this summer. First came the long-awaited return of the “Pure Money” colorway on July 3rd. Now, Jordan Brand is dropping a women’s-exclusive “Starfish” edition on July 18th, just in time for peak warm-weather fits.

This new take on the Jordan 3 trades its traditional leather upper for a durable canvas base, paired with shaggy suede overlays for added texture. Bright “Starfish” orange accents pop on the mudguard, sockliner, and Jumpman logo, giving the shoe a summer-ready look. Buy them now →

Over 15 years since Pusha T and Malice last released an album as the legendary hip-hop duo Clipse, the brothers Thornton have finally reunited. On July 11th, they dropped “The God Sort ‘Em Out”—an instant classic.

It appears the pair isn’t done making serious headlines.

Pusha T recently took to social media to tease a potential Clipse x adidas Samba collaboration that will no doubt cause a major stir in both the sneaker and hip-hop communities. While details are still scarce, the teaser image shows a Samba dressed in premium materials with subtle nods to the duo’s legacy, fueling speculation that the collab could coincide with the rollout of their new album.

The shoe appears to have a sleek, sophisticated look that plays into the current “quiet luxury” trend in both footwear and fashion. The upper is complete with a cream leather base and crisp white leather Three Stripes on the sides. An “adidas/Clipse” stamp appears on the lateral side of the heel, while a “Thorn” motif is displayed on the long tongue—no doubt a nod to Pusha T and Malice’s surname.

If the shoe does release, it will mark the first official project between Clipse and adidas. Pusha T has been a frequent collaborator with the brand since 2011, but this would be the first time both brothers have united under the Three Stripes banner.

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe, but Giannis Antetokounmpo is already seven signature sneakers deep into his Nike line. The newly announced Nike Giannis Freak 7, set to debut on July 29th, marks a major milestone not just for the Greek Freak but for Nike Basketball. And based on early previews, this could be his most impactful release yet.

According to a press release from Nike, the Freak 7’s design draws heavily from Giannis’s signature Eurostep. The shoe “prioritizes traction and containment needed for explosive cuts, starts, stops, and lateral movement.”

Tech-wise, it features a plush Cushlon 3.0 midsole, a zonally engineered 'ANTETOKOUNMPO' traction pattern, and a heel lockdown system inspired by traditional Greek sandals—a nod to Giannis’s heritage.

The “Ignition” will serve as the launch color on July 29th. But don’t expect it to stop there. Plenty more Freak 7 heat is on the way.

The wins keep piling up for Angel Reese. Fresh off being named the cover athlete for NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition, the Chicago Sky superstar unveiled her debut Reebok signature shoe—the Angel Reese 1—right on the game’s cover.

The splashy reveal of the Reebok Angel Reese 1 has been a long time coming for Reese. The former LSU Tigers star signed with Reebok ahead of her senior year with the LSU Tigers in October 2023, which was shortly after fellow LSU alum Shaquille O’Neal was named president of Reebok Basketball. After nearly two years of anticipation, during which Reese added her spin to classic silhouettes like the Shaqnosis and Classic Leather, her signature model has finally arrived. And if rumors hold true, she could debut the sleek “Diamond Dust” colorway at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game.

While Reebok has yet to confirm tech specs, the Angel Reese 1 is expected to feature Energy Return System cushioning—a nod to the brand’s golden era of '90s performance basketball. Pricing and additional details are still under wraps, but more info (and colorways) are expected soon.

What’s clear already, though, is the cultural significance. Reese is part of a new generation of athletes reshaping what visibility and influence look like, especially for women’s basketball. She’s not just getting a signature shoe, she’s anchoring a brand reboot. From a cover star to the face of Reebok’s future, the Angel Reese 1 isn’t just a debut. It’s a defining moment.