Rui Hachimura's Air Jordan 4028 Employs 'Seven Treasures' Sashiko

Same clay, different vessels – could there be a more succinct way to describe how Paolo Banchero’s slick, patent-leather PE and Rui Hachimura’s meticulously stitched and dignified offering can both be the Air Jordan 4028? Images of Hachimura’s version of the hybrid silhouette have just arrived, and prove the LA Lakers power forward isn’t content to follow where others tread.

Jordan Brand love a heritage revival, but the Air Jordan 4028 is an off-the-chain remix. The silhouette uses the sole unit and heel counter of the most recent shoe in MJ’s signature line – the Air Jordan 40 – and jams it onto the high-top, zippered shroud of 2013’s Air Jordan 28.

The mashup model hasn’t seen a lot of airtime aside from Banchero’s on-court showing late last year, though earlier this month Bam Adebayo wore a black and mint edition while dropping 83 buckets – the NBA's second-highest scoring performance of all time. A far cry from the flashy aesthetics of those two editions, Hachimura’s version delivers a calm and considered take that leans into his Japanese heritage and proves the 4028 is a canvas capable of practically any mood.

The upper and extended shroud land in navy, stitched with the interlocking circles of the ‘seven treasures’ sashiko pattern, all in white thread. A silver Jumpman sits on the lateral heel, and the zip’s slider features a navy cotton knot. Navy patent leather hits the toe for a bit of gloss, while a partial-gum outsole and cork insoles ground the whole. Hachimura has previously utilised Japanese themes on his linkups with the Jumpman, including a crane-patterned AJ36 and AJ1, cherry blossom-infused Air Jordan 8s, the AJ35 ‘Warrior’, and another 35 celebrating Japan’s Hinamatsuri holiday.

There are no release details for Rui Hachimura’s Air Jordan 4028, but we do have a SKU code – so keep it locked to get all the news as it arrives.

For more on Nike’s hardwood heat, check out the upcoming ‘Instinct’ Ja 3.