Nike Debuts Team USA's Most Innovative Footwear and Apparel Designs Ever

NEW YORK (30 June, 2008) – Nike, USA Men’s Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, and the entire 12 member 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s basketball, will join together today for a fan celebration at an unprecedented unveiling of Team USA’s men’s basketball uniforms that they will compete in at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The event will be hosted by TV personality Kevin Frazier at the famed Rockefeller Center Ice Rink. During the event, Nike will showcase Team USA’s new Nike Swift System of Dress basketball uniform. The new Nike designed uniform for the USA Men’s and Women’s teams eliminates 25 centimeters of material and reduces the weight by 31 percent when compared with current uniforms. Nike’s new uniform also features Nike Aerographics, an engineered mesh providing zoned cooling that reduces up to half the yarn, making it more lightweight and breathable. An exclusively designed “We the People” graphic, inspired by USA’s rich history, is also integrated into the uniform.

“It’s a privilege to work with some of the best athletes in the world to develop the most innovative basketball uniforms and footwear we’ve ever created for the court,” said Nike Brand President Charlie Denson. “We exist to serve athletes by helping elevate their performance and realize their potential.”

 

In addition to Team USA’s uniform design, Kobe Bryant will be wearing the new USA Nike Hyperdunk colorway. The Nike Hyperdunk is 18 percent lighter than the average Nike basketball shoe and is the lightest and strongest basketball shoe Nike has ever created. Key products inspired by the USA Basketball uniform and Nike Hyperdunk footwear featuring Flywire technology will be available to consumers beginning July 26th.

“This team has fantastic talent and a great will. We are in a great position to compete for the gold in Beijing,” said U.S. mentor Krzyzewski. “As a team we have pledged to represent our country with respect, pride and dignity in Beijing and during our training leading up to the Olympic Games. We are proud to wear this innovative Team USA Basketball Olympic Team collection.” 

Members of the 2008 Olympic Team for men’s basketball include: Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).

Krzyzewski, Duke University’s Hall of Fame coach, is head coach of the USA Senior Team, serving as assistant coaches are Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D’Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

For event imagery and other materials, please go to www.nikemedia.com.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan Holdings Incorporated, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.

About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions. For more information, visit www.usabasketball.com