Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5 Tony Parker FIBA Player Exclusive | Size 11.5

This pair of Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K5 Player Exclusives was issued to basketball star Tony Parker in commemoration of the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan. Parker was set to represent France in the tournament and fans were distraught when, due to a broken finger, he was unable to play. 

Tony Parker began his career with a local French basketball league before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2001, where he played for 17 seasons, leading the team to 4 NBA Championships. In 2007, he was the NBA Finals MVP.

The Huarache 2K5 followed the success of the Huarache 2K4. The original Nike Huarache was designed by Tinker Hatfield, and released in 1991. Years later, Eric Avar, returned to Hatfield’s model with the intent “to bring back classic basketball design principles in a very modern way.” While Kobe Bryant was working on his first signature shoe with Nike, he headlined the 2K5, and the model gained notoriety for being Kobe Bryant’s “go to” shoe. 

This particular pair are inspired by the Street Map series, and feature a map of France. Homages to France also include the red, white, and blue colorway and a French flag on the ankle strap. The side panel is adorned with a red outline of the Nike Swoosh and the back heel is personalized with Parker’s number 9. 

Tony Parker competed in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, representing France.