Diamond in the Tar Heels: The Air Jordan 4 ‘UNC’ PE Is an Instant Classic

The University of North Carolina, Michael Jordan's alma mater, has a storied history of receiving jaw-dropping Player Edition (PE) sneakers. Among the most memorable is the Air Jordan 3 ‘UNC’ PE from 2020, which used Tar Heel blue as an accent rather than the primary colour. This release also made headlines for an unexpected reason: 13 UNC football players were suspended after selling their pairs on the aftermarket – a humorous footnote in sneaker lore.

Now, the Air Jordan 4 ‘UNC’ PE was recently unveiled by the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball team. Draped in premium suede in the Tar Heels’ signature powder blue, the design is elevated by textured leather accents on the toe, tongue, and heel. Former Jordan Brand designer Kelsey Amy infused the sneaker with opulence, incorporating golden details like metallic lace dubraes engraved with ‘UNC’ and golden Jumpman logos on the tongue and heel. For an extra touch of royalty, Amy replaced the traditional basketball in the Jumpman logo with an iridescent diamond – a design element mirrored on the hangtag, which features the iconic Tar Heels logo on the flipside.

Sadly for sneakerheads, this PE remains exclusive to the Tar Heels and won’t be available at retail. Still, 2025 promises to be a marquee year for Air Jordan 4 fans, with Jordan Brand gearing up for several high-profile releases, including a retro of the legendary Undefeated collaboration.

Want more on Air Jordan 4 PEs? Check out our definitive list of the greatest pairs ever made!