Air Jordans Worn by Kobe Bryant Will Reportedly Return in 2025
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The Air Jordan 12 was most memorably worn by Michael Jordan when he won his fifth NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, but there are a handful of colorways made famous on the court by other players including the late Kobe Bryant. One such pair is 2004’s “French Blue” look, a pair that has been seldomly seen at retail but remains a favorite among enthusiasts and is now rumored to return next year.
Although it wasn’t part of the Air Jordan 12’s original run in 1996 and 1997, the “French Blue” look from ’04 does share a connection to Jordan through its Washington Wizards-inspired color scheme. Decked out in white leather with faux reptile overlays and a textured midsole, the sneaker includes Wizards-leaning blue throughout along with dashes of metallic silver and red.
Jordan had a brief run playing with the Wizards from 2001 to 2003, but ultimately retired for the final time at the end of the 2002-03 season. That meant that he wasn’t active to wear the “French Blue” Air Jordan 12, but his legacy was carried on by Bryant and Jordan Brand athletes including Carmelo Anthony and Richard Hamilton.
Following its debut in ’04, the “French Blue” Air Jordan 12 was released as a retro in 2016. In its second run, the style once again proved popular in the NBA and was worn by players such as John Wall.
Another nostalgic Air Jordan 12 colorway is expected to land in ’25; Anthony’s “Melo” PE is rumored for a summer launch.
Having been nearly a decade since its last appearance, the Air Jordan 12 Retro “French Blue” will reportedly launch again on Aug. 16. The “White/French Blue/Metallic Silver/Varsity Red” pair is set to retail for $200. Readers can find a detailed look at the ’16 iteration below.
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