Paying tribute to their close bond, basketball star Lebron James debuted a pair of Nike sneakers inspired by Colorado’s very own Deion Sanders. During the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, the Los Angeles forward made history by starting his 20th All-Star Game, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest athletes of the modern era.

Embarking on his 21st season in the NBA, James honored Deion Sanders, who famously wore the number 21 during his illustrious career. As the muse behind the specially designed sneakers for the occasion, Coach Prime also took to social media to express his appreciation for James.

The Nike Lebron 21 sneakers feature a unique colorway inspired by Coach Prime’s persona and style. Sanders himself took to Instagram to express his appreciation for James’ tribute. The post was captioned, “Congratulations to my brother @kingjames for his Class, Grace, Passion, Commitment to Excellence & Consistency for 21 Years!!! Thank you as well for Rocking them ‘PRIMES’ on your stage. Love you, man, from Day 1.”

He also had a five-word message for James: “I need that basketball version.” Sanders also referred to James as his brother, showcasing their strong camaraderie and relationship. His message also highlights his admiration for Nike in designing the beautiful sneakers, requesting a pair for himself.

Deion Sanders’ relationship with Nike over the years

Coach Prime and Nike have shared a rollercoaster relationship over the years. At the same time, he fell out with the brand in the early 2000s. During his tenure as an active athlete in MLB and the NFL, he had his line of sneakers, which debuted in 1993, called the ‘Nike Air Diamond Turf‘ training shoes. It was followed by subsequent sequels in ’94, the ‘Diamond Turf Max‘ in ’96, the ‘Air Diamond Turf ‘4 in ’97, and the ‘Air Diamond Turf ‘5 in ‘98.

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However, their successful relationship took a toll when Sanders partnered with Under Armour in 2009 by signing a long-term contract. Since his collaboration with Under Armour, Sanders recently made a surprising return with Nike in a deal that is rumored to be worth USD 10 million annually.

The Nike LeBron 21 was officially launched in September 2023 for $200 in adult sizes. There have been several colorways released over the past five months, and you can choose between an array of color combinations. So you can go get your kicks now!

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