Air Jordan 16 Will Get a Rare Release Through Ghanaian Collaboration

The Air Jordan 16 is one of the more underutilized sneakers in the series that Michael Jordan actually played in. Just four colorways released in its original run in 2001, and it’s only resurfaced a handful of times since, most prominently through collaborations with Trophy Room and Solefly. The small assortment will soon grow, however, as a Ghanaian fashion collective has selected it for its first Jordan Brand collaboration.

The Free the Youth x Air Jordan 16 turns the shoe’s hallmark shroud into a component for choosing your own adventure. Two options can be worn, as a metallic silver cover matches the majority of the upper’s static paneling and another features an artistic rendition of the Tawny Eagle, the national animal of Ghana viewed as a symbol of strength, freedom and vigilance.

Silver and predatory birds aside, Silver and eagles aside, the shoe features a black leather and mesh region beneath the shroud with a red Jumpman. Pops of green appear on tabs at the heel and top of vamp, while a gradient strip on the tongue runs through the colors of Ghana’s flag. Free the Youth’s logo can then be found at the silver tip of the tongue.

Originally foreseen as the second Air Jordan of Michael’s post-player era, the Air Jordan 16 was designed by Wilson Smith III after Tinker Hatfield relinquished the reins. The new designer intended for the shroud to represent Jordan moving into the front office as part-owner and president of basketball operations of the Washington Wizards, but no — 23 would end up wearing it on court during the preseason when deciding to unretire for the second time.

Of the four OG colorways, Jordan only played in the “Ginger” edition. The sneaker would then return as part of the two-sneaker “Countdown pack” with the Air Jordan 6 in 2008, followed only by the Trophy Room and SoleFly collaborations in 2016, a “CEO” edition made in 2017 to celebrate Jordan’s majority purchase of the Charlotte Bobcats seven years prior, and a Russell Westbrook edition in 2020.

The Free the Youth x Air Jordan 16 will get an early release Monday in Paris with just 100 pairs available at an event at 10 Passage Des Marais. A wider release will come July 17, likely through the Snkrs app, Free the Youth’s website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $255.