Glen Rice Heralds the Return of the Champion Zone 93
To celebrate the significance both Glen Rice and his signature model, the Zone 93, had to basketball line, the heritage brand are bringing it back in all its OG glory. It will form part of the Glen Rice Collection, which pays homage to the Rice-Champion union that scored buckets in the cut-throat world of 90s basketball.
Champion have always been at the forefront of athletic apparel, staking claim to major innovations like the reverse weave, hooded sweatshirt and the sports bra. They continued this legacy when they were named as the official outfitters of the in 1980, a position that inevitably led them to fitting the legendary Dream Team for the 1992 Olympics. When it became evident they had a real space in the basketball market, they took yet another step forward in 1993 by signing a budding NBA player, Glen Rice, to be the on-court face of the brand.
Rice had just come off a breakthrough season for the Miami Heat, where both he and the team improved in leaps and bounds from their previous years. The Heat had gone from coming last in points per game in 1988–89 to qualifying for their first playoff series in 1991–92, mainly thanks to Rice, as he had become their top scorer by this stage. Rice debuted the Zone 93 while playing for the Miami Heat, and while the sneaker’s scheme matched the team’s colours, they still stuck to the league’s strict black and white rules. This simplistic approach allowed the Zone 93 to follow wherever Rice went, and as he evolved as a player, he was moved to the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers. He retired in 2004 as a three-time NBA All-Star and NBA title winner.
It’s safe to say that Champion’s choice to pair their debut into the basketball footwear market with the young player paid off, and the Zone 93 stands the test of time as a great technical shoe, even in 2023, which is why Champion are bringing it back in its true OG form. It starts on a multi-layer EVA midsole, with a rubber bottom plate for bounce. Supple premium white leather makes up the upper, with black hits throughout for shape and definition. Champion branding is seen on the tongue, heel, and quarter panel, while the sock liner has a customised pattern. The high cut build of the Zone 93 along with an aged midsole and 90s shape turns up the nostalgic and retro feel.
The Zone 93 won't stand alone though, as Champion have also designed an entire apparel collection to match, including a team uniform, hoodie, crewneck, and t-shirt.
In the golden era of 90s basketball sneakers, the Zone 93 stands tall as a symbol of Champion’s enduring commitment to the game and its seamless fusion of performance and timeless style. As the Glen Rice-approved sneaker celebrates its 30 year legacy, the Zone 93 will forever be a classic in Champion’s everlasting heritage.
The release of the OG retro comes on December 18 through Champion's channels, but there will also be a slew of colourways releasing in 2024 to celebrate the many teams Rice played for. On the line-up is a Michigan Wolves iteration, as well as Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Each one stays true to the team’s signature colours – the league’s strict rules long gone.