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New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has to be just about the most wholesome superstar on the planet.
Let's sum up past young phenoms. Bird, Jordan, Kobe, Duncan, Garnett, Kareem, and LeBron were all business. Magic was glamorous, but there was a coolness to him. Ditto for Shaq. But the rise of Zion Williamson is one that is just peppered with the same family-friendly joy that you'd expect to see on a video about puppies making friends with other animals. And Jordan Brand's newest signature athlete has kept his wholesome streak alive with his first signature shoe, the Jordan Zion 1. More specifically, he opened up about the inspiration for the shoe's “Noah” colorway, named for his baby brother:
Zion Williamson explains the “Noah” colorway of his Jordan Zion 1 — a tribute to his younger brother. pic.twitter.com/xDwMm2ImTs
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) April 20, 2021
This isn't the first or even second time that Noah has designed a colorway for Jordan or his big brother. In the video, the Pelicans forward explains the story of how Noah was given a blank pair of Jordan 1 Low's and some crayons to “design with” on the Williamsons' first tour of the Nike/Jordan campus. Those scribbles and lines would influence Zion's signature colorway of the Jordan 34, and now this colorway of the Zion 1.
Athletes have been known to draw upon their experience and family ties for inspiration both on and off the court, but with Williamson, it just feels a little closer to home, doesn't it? Check out what Jordan Brand's Kelsey Amy said about the design process with Williamson. Per Sports Illustrated:
“His family was always involved in the calls as well so it was a lot discussion between all of us…one of the moments where he came to life, he worked with his mom to put together a mood board with cut out images of Jordans he loves and quotes that have inspired him. It was really cool to see this little project for us. Like what athlete is willing to do that?”
JB Footwear Product Director Jarrett Mann summed up Zion elegantly in the same article:
“We are working with one of the most humbled athletes I think we have seen with the brand. His humility and down-to-earth manner were just refreshing to see and how he approached this entire process…”
Here's to you, Mr. Williamson. You are one of the faces not just of the Pelicans but of the league in just your second year and have borne that weight with absolute humility. Not many can say that, and it's a credit to you and your family. Congratulations on the signature line, and congrats to perhaps the youngest shoe designer in history. Noah might just have a career in fashion if he doesn't follow in your footsteps.
