Back in 2018, the Air Jordan 1 High ‘Rookie of the Year’ instantly became one of that year’s most-hyped sneaker releases. The smooth, golden-brown suede panels on the uppers—a tribute to the jacket Michael Jordan wore to accept his Rookie of the Year honors in 1985—paired especially well with dark denim, which helped make the shoes a must-have for style-minded sneaker collectors. To this day, the ‘Rookie of the Year’ high-tops remain highly coveted, with certain sizes fetching upwards of $1,000 on the secondary market. Now, right on schedule, the beloved colorway is returning—this time on the red-hot Air Jordan 1 Low silhouette.
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For years, the Air Jordan 1 High was the only version of the sneaker that really mattered to collectors. It’s the OG after all, the style that His Airness himself wore on the court, and any variations felt simply like pretenders to the throne. But while the AJ1 Mid still doesn’t fully receive the respect it deserves, the low-top version has fared far better in sneaker circles in recent years, thanks in part to its visual similarity to Nike classics like the Dunk Low and Air Force 1. This week’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ drop marks just one of a slew of much-hyped Air Jordan 1 Low colorways due to release this year—including the timeless ‘Chicago,’ expected to hit during the holidays.
The Air Jordan 1 OG Retro Low ‘Rookie of the Year’ was originally slated to release in early January, but it wound up being postponed until later this week. That’s somewhat fortuitous timing, as the NBA will likely announce the winner of the 2025 Rookie of the Year not long after—odds are on the Spurs’ Stephon Castle or the Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher to take the crown. Whoever winds up winning, there’s one new sneaker they’re all but obligated to wear to the ceremony. You can cop a pair of your own on April 18 for $140 via Nike.com or the SNKRS app.
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