A Closer Look At The Air Jordan Retro 12 'University Gold'

Sneakers 07.21.20

'PE' was an acronym that I never knew but fully understood once it was explained to me as a kid. Player Exclusive shoes usually have special variations of the commercial release. In order to get a pair of PE’s, you must be a professional athlete on contract with a basketball shoe company. Brand Jordan has a legacy list of players who not only had signature shoes but have worn iconic PE colorways on the hardwood. Ray Allen, Mike Bibby, and Eddie Jones are some of the sharpshooters who made these rare colorways desirable to wear.

Behind The Design

Over the years, PE’s are not as exclusive as they once were. Players change their sneakers during the half, let alone per game. The shoes that were intended for NBA use are now being mass-produced for sneakerheads to have their very own piece of history. The Air Jordan 12 “University Gold” is a sunny rendition of a court classic. It is quite difficult to not see the resemblance the shoe has to Gary Payton’s Retro 12 “Away” PE colorway. The luxury black leather upper looks exotic with the pebbled overlay curving to the forefront. Durable rubber outsole with the capitalized ‘JUMPMAN’ printed above the midsole. Speaking of Jumpman, the hi flying logo is placed on the tongue, toe tip, metal eyelet hooks, heel notch, and insoles. 23 is represented properly near the heel stabilizer, with ‘TWO 3’ embroidered stitched on the tongue padding.