Ray Allen. Derek Anderson. Vin Baker. Michael Finley. Eddie Jones. Those guys were the original Team Jordan Starting Five in 1996, the year Jordan Brand shoes were ready to carry on the legacy of the GOAT they were named after, even though he was no longer active on the hardcourt.
The five were chosen to be the first signature athletes of the Nike sub-brand that was described as “a pure, authentic basketball brand of premium, high-performance basketball footwear and apparel inspired by the performance legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan.”
Other National Basketball Association (NBA) greats stepped into more Jordan shoes: Jason Kidd, Reggie Miller, Gary Payton and Dwayne Wade. They shot hoops wearing those shoes with the Jumpman logo, and redefined the game on court a bit more in the name of the man who revolutionized both the game and the sneaker world with ever evolving colorways, patterns and innovations.
More followed. Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Blake Griffin were given their own signature Jordan Brand shoes with special colorways for the playoffs of 2013.
La Marcus Aldridge, Mike Conley, Jr., Jimmy Butler added more oomph and power to the brand. Maya Moore, the WNBA great, became the first female hooper to become a Jordan athlete—providing power and inspiration to female ballers everywhere. Kemba Walker, who used to play for the Charlotte Hornets—owned by the JumpMan himself, also signed up in 2015.
But these days, Jordan Brand is even more dominant and dynamic. Said to “represent the passion and flight of the game,” the brand has cornered all the wunderkinds of the NBA and made them into the newest, brightest Team Jordan yet. Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic and Rui Hachimura. Just to roll those names off the tongue is an exciting exercise.
Williamson launched his first signature shoe with Jordan Brand in April. Called the Jordan Zion 1, which features a “Z” on the lateral side to “harness power in the heel and help with speed in the forefoot,” the shoe has been described as “the culmination of his supernatural game and down to earth personality,” and has his “ZNA.”
Jayson Tatum who has been having an other-worldly game of late has been hailed by no less than Jordan Brand president Craig Williams as “one of the league’s most promising young players, with a work ethic and mindset that reflects what Jordan Brand stands for.”
Doncic “rounds out a roster of incredible new talent” that will represent Jordan Brand for the next generation, Michael Jordan himself reportedly said. Outstanding female ballers Kia Nurse, Satou Sabally and Kia Nurse are part of the family too.
Into this dynamic enters Kiefer Ravena—the first Filipino athlete and personality ever to be part of the Jordan Brand. It was probably an easy choice. Kiefer’s stellar high school career with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets where he won three titles and two finals MVP awards, then another spectacular career in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Seniors Division (Mythical Five member thrice, league MVP twice), and a thriving career in the pros where he easily became an All-Star, speaks well of The Phenom. His basketball smarts, values and work ethic are gold.
Add to that his work with the national team that has five gold medal finishes in the Southeast Asian Games from 2011 through 2019, his participation in the Fiba Asia Champions Cup 2017, Fiba World Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2019 and several Fiba 3×3 tournaments, such as the 2013 Fiba Asia 3×3 Championship and 2017 3×3 Fiba World Cup, and we see a well-rounded, accomplished athlete worthy to be counted among the world’s best achievers.
“We’re inspired by Manila’s basketball culture and are thrilled to welcome our first Filipino athlete to the Jordan family,” says Craig Williams. “Basketball has a powerful influence on youth culture around the globe, and Kiefer can inspire future generations of ballers to make an impact in their hometowns and beyond. We are united by a shared love for the game, and Kiefer—a two-time UAAP MVP and Champion—represents the passion and love for basketball that you see all over the Philippines.”
“I’m both thankful and excited to be the first Filipino to be a member of the Jordan Brand. Seeing how MJ played during his time in the NBA, I collected his shoes and wanted to be a part of his camps in the US. My first pair of basketball shoes were Jordan 9s,” says Kiefer.
What an honor indeed to be in such stellar company. Proud of you, Kief!
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MY colleague, sportswriter Lito Cinco, has launched an effort to raise funds in cash and kind for both regular and differently-abled national athletes numbering about 1,500. Called AYUDA SA ATLETA, my big-hearted friend conceptualized the campaign and got full cooperation from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Tom Carrasco to put up a “community pantry of assistance” to help the athletes who are in much need of sustenance and support during these trying times. They have been joined by POC official Karen Tanchanco Caballero, sports science whiz and former national archer Nino Sinco, sportsman Alex Wang and other former national athletes. Cebuana Lhuillier President/CEO Jean Henri Lhullier has jumpstarted the program with a P250,000 donation. Assistance needed apart from cash can come in the form of vitamins, sports drinks, energy bars and personal hygiene items.
“I was inspired by what I have seen about this community program that has grown all over and I thought, why not initiate one for athletes,” Lito said.
“Our national athletes who have brought us honor certainly deserve to be helped during this pandemic,” Carrasco said.
Interested parties may contact the organizers here: Carrasco (0917) 899-2999; Cinco (0920) 924-1981 and lito_cinco@yahoo.com; Tanchanco dsgkarencaballero@olympic.ph and Wang (0943) 011-9811. Thank you in advance!