The Air Jordan 4 "White Cement" Returns to Anchor This Week's Best Footwear Drops
After a month of playoff action, the stage is set for the Conference Finals in both the NBA and NHL. The much-anticipated matchups kick off tonight, but that's not the only thing to look forward to this week.Nike,Crocs,Converse,adidas,Jordan Brand,Dr. Martens, andNew Balanceall have exciting sneaker releases to scope out as well. Per usual, we'll first look back at last week's top headlines, starting with the latest developments from the Swoosh.
One of the year's biggest releases to come is Tom Sachs'NikeCraft Mars Yard 3.0, which has again surfaced ahead of its September launch. We also took a look atCaitlin Clark'sNike Kobe 5 Protro 'Rookie of the Year' PE that she wore during her dominant WNBA season opener. Looks at a secondWORKSOUTx Nike Air Max 95 and this year'sScarr's Pizzax Nike Air Force 1 Low were shared as well. Another headline, instead from the Jumpman team, was a preview of a new Air Jordan 5'Tokyo23.'
New Balance had another big week for itself asAimé Leon Doredropped its three MT10Ts and Ronnie Fieg teased a New York Knicks-themedKithx New Balance 993 collaboration. A preview of two992 sneakersfrom the MADE in USA line hit the net too. Rounding things out for the American sportswear brand, its original'Protection Pack'of 2002Rs is on the way back to the market.
Elsewhere in the industry,JJJJoundgave us a better look at what to expect from its upcoming GEL-KAYANO 14 collaboration. Meanwhile,G-SHOCKsurprised the sneaker space with its own watch-equipped take on the Crocs Echo Wave. As for adidas, another look at the adidasAnthony Edwards 2popped up alongside a newWales Bonnerproject featuring the Superstar Hi.
Now that you're caught up with the latest happenings in the footwear industry, let's look at which 10 drops you should have on your radar this week, starting with another 'What The' re-release from Nike Basketball. Afterwards,head over to HBX to take a look at what footwear styles are available now.
Release Date:May 21Release Price:$240 USDWhere to Buy:SNKRSWhy You Should Cop:Nike Basketball is back with another classic from the Kobe line as it has laced up the Kobe 9 Elite Protro in its 'What The' colorway from 2015. Ten years later, all of its key details remain in place as a barrage of colors cover the white sneaker, combining many of the silhouette's past colorways to create something unique. One addition to the shoe is Nike React foam at the midsole, improving its on-court performance by offering better responsiveness.
Release Date:May 22Release Price:$140 USDWhere to Buy:BeASpungeWhy You Should Cop:Salehe Bembury remains one of the sneaker scene's most potent forces, leading the Crocs Pollex line, revitalizing PUMA Hoops, and doing seasonal collaborations with brands like New Balance and Moncler. In continuation of his Crocs partnership, he's back with his fifth take on the Pollex Juniper sneaker, offering yet another vibrant colorway, 'Apricot.' The pair combines orange with lavender, bright blue, red, and yellow to create a one-of-a-kind look.
Release Date:May 22Release Price:$80 USD to $130 USDWhere to Buy:ConverseWhy You Should Cop:Two legacies collide asNaruto Shippudenmeets Converse in this week's lineup of launches. The duo's first collaboration features five character-themed sneakers, including four Chuck Taylor All Stars and a Weapon sneaker too. The former pays homage to Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Gaara with special graphics for each. From there, Itachi's Weapon colorway carries a special jacquard underlay tying it to its theme. To top it all off, pairs can be personalized via the Converse By You platform.
Release Date:May 22Release Price:$280 USD to $350 USDWhere to Buy:adidasWhy You Should Cop:AVAVAV is back with another mind-bending take on adidas footwear. The Italian label has put together two Moonrubber Megaride runners, as well as two wavy Superstars. The Moonrubber Megaride shoes are sculpted with a special tooling that makes it look as if you're stepping into a bubble. As for the latter, the Superstar has been warped with a widened toe and heel.
Release Date:May 22Release Price:$1,000 USDWhere to Buy:SNKRSWhy You Should Cop:The Air Jordan 1 Low OG has never shined brighter than with this new crystal-covered iteration made in partnership with Swarovski. Based on the color blocking of the OG 'Shadow' colorway, a 'caviar fabric' texture features the glistening crystals with bespoke hardware and packaging present as well.
Release Date:May 22Release Price:$130 USDWhere to Buy:SNKRSWhy You Should Cop:Lil Yachty is back with his second sneaker with the Swoosh, once again reworking the Air Force 1 Low. His 'Lucky Green' version of the shoe sees it don a retro-inspired patent leather with a high-contrast composition as green is joined by yellow and red. Concrete Boys branding hits the lateral heel and heel tab while the group's 'It's Us' motto appears at the tongue, sockliner, and hangtag.
Release Date:May 22 (North America and Europe) and May 24 (Asia)Release Price:TBCWhere to Buy:SupremeWhy You Should Cop:Supreme is back with its seasonal collaboration with Dr. Martens, this time putting their own spin on the Penton Loafer. A smooth leather upper appears in forest green, red, and black, with all three featuring studs throughout. A tonal stitched tag features the Supreme wordmark in white at the lateral heel while co-branding hits the sockliner. Each pair also is backed by an AirWair-cushioned sole unit, implemented specifically for Supreme.
Release Date:May 23Release Price:$160 USDWhere to Buy:Aimé Leon DoreWhy You Should Cop:Aimé Leon Dore has established a close relationship with New Balance, especially considering how its founder Teddy Santis leads the New Balance MADE in USA line. ALD is again evolving its partnership with the brand by being the first collaborator to introduce their own co-designed sneaker: the RC56. The cross-country runner-inspired shoe appears in co-branded colorways of 'Neon/Grey,' 'Pristine,' and 'Navy,' with all three nodding to the duo at the tongue, heel, and sockliner.
Release Date:May 24Release Price:$225 USDWhere to Buy:SNKRSWhy You Should Cop:Last year was chock-full of Air Jordan 4 releases in celebration of its 35th anniversary. However, one that caught the eye of sneakerheads was the return of the OG 'White Cement' colorway, which is finally here. Unlike many of the 'Reimagined' looks to drop recently, this pair stays true to the original with a white leather upper accompanied by black and gray cement detailing, including a Nike Air hit at the heel.
Release Date:May 24Release Price:¥26,400 JPY (approx. $178 USD)Where to Buy:atmosWhy You Should Cop:Rounding out this week's lineup is a new exclusive drop from Japanese sneaker retailer atmos. This time around, the two have prepared a special drop for the 1000 sneaker. This 'Bāṅdhnū' colorway arrives as part of New Balance's 'Grey Days' celebration, offering an original paisley pattern in white atop a black backdrop.
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Chicago Tribune
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Chicago Tribune
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Column: Len Scaduto, a basketball lifer, will always be remembered for Oak Lawn's 1970-71 team. ‘Made his mark.'
The Southland basketball community lost a legend when Len Scaduto died on May 13 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was 93. Scaduto coached Oak Lawn's boys basketball team from 1962 to 1991, going 411-340 and leading his 1970-71 team to a state runner-up finish. But that wasn't all. After retiring at Oak Lawn, Scaduto moved to Hawaii and kept coaching. Colleges. High schools. A semipro team. He remained on the sidelines until he was nearly 90. Scaduto's son, Bruce — who followed in his dad's footsteps, coaching boys and girls basketball at Evergreen Park for 27 seasons — said Len never lost his passion for basketball. 'He's been my coach since I was a little kid,' Bruce said. 'He's been my basketball mentor my whole life. He pretty much taught me all I knew. Pretty much what I saw him do, I did. 'It was a good run. I'm proud of what he accomplished. He was a great father and he definitely made his mark on basketball in Illinois.' Of course, that 1970-71 Oak Lawn team will always hold a special place in Scaduto's legacy. The Spartans went 30-3 but were unranked and far from being considered a top contender for the state title when they went into the playoffs in the final season of one-class basketball in Illinois. It was a magical postseason run. Along the way, Oak Lawn knocked off the past two state champions in Lyons and Proviso East. The Spartans nearly took their Cinderella journey all the way to the top, losing a classic state championship game 52-50 to Thornridge, which was led by future NBA standout Quinn Buckner. Jim Bocinsky, who went on to play at DePaul and professionally in Europe, was the second-leading scorer on that Spartans team behind their own future NBA player in C.J. Kupec. 'We didn't really know what we had until we almost had it,' Bocinsky said. 'Our goal was to win the conference. We didn't even realize we had the potential to do anything beyond that. 'We just went out to try to win the regional and then it was one game at a time.' Bocinsky said the members of that team have kept a tight bond over the years. 'We get together to golf but we're old men now, so you get to the 19th tee and you say, 'I heard that story last week,'' Bocinsky said, with a laugh. 'We tell the same stories over and over again about that year, but we can't get away from it. 'That team, and coach Scaduto, have been a huge part of my life.' Several members of that team play in an alumni basketball game every year at Oak Lawn. Bocinsky and Don Wesselhoff, who graduated in 1970 just before the state run, would often get together for breakfast with Scaduto each summer when he returned to the area. Len also came back for a 50-year reunion held for the team in 2021. Wesselhoff remembers a hard-nosed coach who was tough but earned everyone's trust. 'You loved the guy, but he'd push you so hard that it was like a love-hate relationship,' Wesselhoff said. 'He respected us and we respected him. After he graduated, we continued to keep in touch. 'It's just a relationship that's hard to come by these days. I was really honored and blessed to have him as a coach.' After retiring at Oak Lawn, Scaduto spent three seasons as an assistant at Chaminade and 12 years on the staff at Hawaii. He also returned briefly to the high school level before wrapping up his career with the semipro Hawaii Swish, whom he was coaching at age 89. Scaduto's stepson, Jack Danilewicz, said he was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, a college football fanatic and an avid gardener. Scaduto's legacy will undoubtedly continue to live on at Oak Lawn the way it has over the last three decades since his departure — with endless stories and lessons passed down. The Spartans and Evergreen Park have dubbed their rivalry 'The Scaduto Series' in honor of both Len and Bruce. The winner of the game each season receives a trophy. Current Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes also informed me the school is starting a new tournament this fall — the Len Scaduto Thanksgiving Classic. That name had been chosen before Scaduto's death, but the inaugural event will have some added meaning behind it now. 'He's made a huge mark in our community, and his former players always speak fondly of him and tell me great stories about him,' Rhodes said. 'He obviously had an incredible run. 'Almost 30 years coaching basketball at Oak Lawn. That's almost unfathomable to me.' There's at least one artifact from Scaduto's days that still lingers around the gym at Oak Lawn. In his office, Rhodes has a coaching manual Scaduto left behind. 'It's a thick book with all kinds of diagrams and notes on his system, offensively and defensively,' Rhodes said. 'You could tell just from that thing alone how much time he invested.' That was Len Scaduto — the Southland's ultimate basketball lifer.
