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The basketball silhouette that launched the hip-hop era of adidas - adidas Jabbar

adidas Jabbar is a retro basketball silhouette in the lifestyle category – a shoe that kicked off a new era for adidas on the court in the late '70s and is now making a comeback as one of the brand's most intriguing archival silhouettes.

History: the first signature shoe from adidas in America

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had been wearing adidas since 1970, but he received his own named model a few years later – the Jabbar silhouette was introduced in 1978, marking the first basketball shoe to feature a specific player's portrait on the tongue. This was also the first major contract between adidas and an American basketball player, a key moment for the brand's entry into professional sports in the United States.

The shoe was based on models that Jabbar wore in the early years of his career – adidas Tournament (later renamed Campus), Superstar, and Superstar II. It was released in Jabbar Hi and Jabbar Lo versions, with the low cut being pioneering for its time – Jabbar was among the first players to wear a low-cut silhouette on the court. While the transition of adidas from performance to lifestyle and hip-hop aesthetics is often attributed to the Superstar, it was actually Jabbar who initiated this shift back in the '70s.

Design and construction

What makes the Jabbar recognizable even after nearly 50 years are the details carried over directly from the original '70s version:

• Full leather upper: Smooth leather combined with suede versions gives the shoe a premium, archival character typical of '70s basketball silhouettes.
• Low, flat sole shape: A simple rubber outsole without a prominent pattern refers to a time when advanced cushioning technology was not yet considered – stability came from flat contact with the ground.
• Three stripes and classic laces: Clean, unembellished lines without unnecessary details place the silhouette alongside Superstar and Campus as one of the "original" adidas silhouettes.

Current comeback and collaborations

The Jabbar is experiencing a significant comeback starting in fall 2024: the OG version in Royal Blue returned in October 2024, followed by the Core Black/Off White and green/white Lo versions in November 2024, and then the "Suede Pack" in green, red, and blue in December 2024. In spring 2025, adidas collaborated with designer Willy Chavarria, who transformed the silhouette into a more formal, pointed version for the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. According to adidas's plans, the Jabbar will receive new colorways continuously until the end of 2025.

Who the model is for

The Jabbar is for you if you're looking for an archival basketball silhouette with a real historical story, not just retro aesthetics – ideal for fans of adidas Superstar and Campus who want something less mainstream but equally authentic.