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The last team to cut the nets down two years in a row, Florida has certainly cemented its name in the discussion for best all-around NCAA programs over the past decade. Football might reign supreme in the swamp, but the basketball squad has received just as much acknowledgement from the fans and corporate with Nike including the Gators in its group of elite schools. The perks include some sick jerseys and a few sneakers that the average person might not be able to grab at their local Footlocker. Complex did our diligent research and found out what sneakers Florida was balling in throughout its history. Click on the gallery to check out The 20 Greatest Sneakers in Florida Basketball History.
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20. Nike Huarache Elite TB
When: 2007
Who: Joakim Noah
Taking design cues from the Huarache 2K5, the Elite TB took things up a bit with even more comfort and more colors. The Zoom Air unit was perfect for speedy players to burn opponents and get off the floor with ease, and the design wore school colors perfectly although Joakim Noah was strictly business in his murdered-out pair, defending the throne.
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19. Nike Shox Limitless
When: 2002
Who: Anthony Roberson
One of the many Nike Shox that dropped in a slew of colorways, allowing it to easily be an unofficial team shoe. The Limitless features the SHOX technology and Zoom Air in the forefoot, helping players cut and react on the floor with ease.
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18. Converse Pro Leather
When: 1980
Who: Whole Squad
Just like the Chuck Taylor All Stars, the Pro Leathers started on the court and quickly became a must in every guy's wardrobe paired with jeans and a clean white T. The good Doctor wasn't the only high-flying superstar lacing up Converse Pro Leathers back in the early '80s. When the sneaker first dropped it was the ultimate team sneaker rocked by just about every team and player across the country.
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17. Nike Air Zoom Huarache 64
When: 2007
Who: Marreese Speights
The Huarache 64 was made with the madness of March in mind, the 64 — see what they did there? Released in a handful of colorways for Nike schools, they were featured all over the court in 2006 and 2007 and just like other Huarache models they were all about extreme comfort, stability, and great use of color schemes all throughout the kicks.
Huarache24K
16. Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4
When: 2005
Who: Corey Brewer
How many Nike basketball series have held it down over three decades with almost near flawless designs and performance features? Outside of Mike's camp, the next best bet might be the Huarache. The 2K4s were ahead of their time performance-wise, keeping them relevant even in today's game. The shoe was the epitome of lightweight performance in the pre-Flywire era.
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15. Nike Zoom Soldier III
When: 2009
Who: Chandler Parsons
Another team concept shoe thanks to the 12+ colorways, the Soldier III spread from LeBron himself to elite high schools and universities. The responsive low-profile sneakers featured lockdown straps for added support and the outsole tread was inspired by the milk crates James used to hoop in when there wasn't a rim in the neighborhood.
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14. Nike Hyperize
When: 2010
Who: Kenny Boynton
When Nike introduced its Hyper-serires sneakers you knew the game was about to change. Always pushing things with its innovation, Nike's Hyperize was more about keeping the player cool and comfortable than anything else. The sneakers featured Flywire to keep the sneakers light on the player's foot and the LunarLite foam cushioning was the perfect mix so guards like Boynton could strike at any given moment without having their feet feel fatigued.
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13. Nike Zoom LeBron II
When: 2004
Who: Anthony Roberson
King Jame's second signature shoe and his first to carry the name "LeBron" is still one of his greatest. The double-stacked Zoom Air Units and straps on the ankle make the performance and aesthetic piece of the sneaker easy to mess even for kids who didn't have a Hummer at 18 (and went to college).
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12. Nike Hyperdunk
When: 2008
Who: Nick Calathes
The original Hyperdunks took Nike's basketball performance game to another level. They trimmed all the fat and gave players a sneaker that was going to let your foot breathe, keep your ankle from rolling, and, seeing that they were produced in every colorway imaginable, they were ideal for players across college campuses.
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11. Nike Shox BB4
When: 2001
Who: Matt Bonner
If you have been following us all college season, you know that the BB4 has been one of the most consistent sneakers on our lists. If the school didn't have a endorsement from someone other than The Swoosh, odds are from 2001-03 someone on the court went with the BB4s. The shoe catered to all types of players and, its just a theory, some players thought the spring-loaded kicks were going to help them get a few extra inches in the air — sorry Bonner, white men can't jump.
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10. Converse CONS ERX-300
When: 1989
Who: Dwayne Schintzius
Surprisingly, Dwayne Schintzius and Larry Bird had more in common than just skintone and terrible haircuts. They both hit the hardwood in the Energy Wave equipped Converse CONS ERX-300. For the Playboy pre-season All-American article, Schintzius donned a pair with an All-American mullet — not confirmed, but his mansion pass was revoked before he even wrapped up school.
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9. Nike Air Garnett III
When: 1999
Who: Mike Miller
Pre-tattoos and Jersey Shore-style haircuts, Mike Miller was just an All-American guy from North Dakota trying to making it in Gator Country. During his early run at Florida, the sharp-shooting forward stayed laced in the Tuned- and Zoom-Air equipped Garnett IIIs with the classic fade upper. The shoes have since retroed, donning the name Nike Retro 3 after KG's departure from The Swoosh
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8. Air Jordan XIII "Flint"
When: 2008
Who: Alex Tyus
A dope look by Tyus in 2008 to bring the "Flint" Jordan XIIIs back into rotation and thankfully dismissing the balding braids. Lighter and more flexible than the previous Jordan model, the Air Jordan XIII was a Zoom-cushioned sprint shoe for the game's most lethal 30-something (or 30-something looking college players).
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7. Air Jordan X ""Chicago"
When: 2012
Who: Kenny Boynton
Already one of the best releases of the year, we knew Mike's kid wasn't going to be the only one to rock these on the court. Kind of crazy that Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner and Scottie Pippen took it to the house in these before Mike even had a chance to wag his tongue in 'em. As the years passed the legacy has stayed strong and kids that just got their pre-school degree when Jordan first wore them still lace them up on the floor.
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6. Air Jordan VIII "Black/Chrome"
When: 2006
Who: Corey Brewer
The "Chrome" VIIIs dropped in May of 2003 and were the only Air Jordans to feature the cross-strap option which was taking over Nike in the early '90s. Considerably chunkier than the first seven Jordans, the shoe never really received its due praise for its attention to detail. The plush Jumpman logo on the tongue, subtle accents throughout the silhouette, and durabuck upper helped the VIIIs flow together perfectly. In '06 Brewer dug a pair out of his closet for battle and with his play he helped create a few new posters for the Florda bookstore — like Mike.
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5. Air Jordan XI "Concord"
When: 2011
Who: Mike Rosario
Bad scan, or did the "Concords" make our man Rosario a blur? This isn't quite Iverson back in '96 but you knew once the holiday madness passed these would be all over the court. Mike Rosario broke out the updated icy soles and patent leather to kick things off in 2012 and 16 years later they still look official on the court — one of the greatest hoop shoes of all-time.
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4. Air Jordan III "True Blue"
When: 2011
Who: Mike Rosario
Fresh off the campus of Rutgers, Mike Rosario made a great first impression in Gainesville hoopin' in one of the greatest Js to ever hit the hardwood. The royal blue scheme of the IIIs didn't exactly go with the Gator's navy colorway, but we can't fault Rosario for wanting to stunt the classics in front of his new home crowd.
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3. Nike Air Max Penny I
When: 2007
Who: Corey Brewer
Penny's first signature shoe was easily his greatest shoe in the I-IV series. The sneaker featured the visible heel Air Unit with the "1 Cent" logo right above it, a pinstriped tongue and a PU support panel, and its great design and black/white/varsity-royal colorway made these just as appealing for hoopin' in or rockin' to class. In 2007 Brewer went with the classics en route to the Gators second NCAA title.
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2. Nike Hyperfuse 2011 "Russell Westbrook"
When: 2011
Who: Mike Rosario
Rosario again? Again and again. Another year, another series of high-performance, Hyper-inspired kicks. The 2011 version continues to keep things moving in the right direction of light, fast, and supportive while not losing anything on the aesthetic end. The endless colorways have made these the go-to sneaker for most college players this season although Mike Rosario upgraded to NBA status when he scored a pair of the Russell Westbrook released colorway last fall.
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1. Nike Air Flightposite III
When: 2002
Who: Matt Bonner
Part of Nike's Alpha Project, the Flightposite took the "bug eye" look of the Zoom 95s to another level. The "lenticular holograms" are what set the design apart from anything on the court at the time along with the two TPU straps. Nike must have been trading tips with Trojan trying to thin out the rubber Foamposite material so you could feel the floor that much better. We see you, Big Red.