Nike Dunk High OG (1985) ‘St. John’s’ Salesman Sample | Size 9

Originally released in 1985, Nike introduced the Nike Dunk as the premiere basketball sneaker in college basketball. The colorways for the series were based on successful programs around the nation. Kentucky, Michigan, UNLV, Syracuse, St. John’s, Villanova and Iowa all received their own signature shoe. The 1985 Nike ads featured the sneakers with a tagline ‘Be True to Your School’ giving fans an opportunity to support their team from head to toe. 

Over the last 37 years Nike Dunks have become one of the most iconic sneaker styles of all time and a blank canvas for design inspiration. Most notably, the style was adopted by the skateboarding community, which has led to some of the most coveted Nikes of all including the Nike Dunk High SB ‘FLOM’, the Nike Dunk Low SB ‘Paris’ and more. 

Incredibly rare, this Salesman Sample from 1985, indicated by the interior coding ‘850708 TYSS’ would have been used by a Nike representative to sell retailers on the Nike Dunk. “85” represents the year of manufacture, “TYSS” stands for “Tong Yang” (the factory in which it was produced) and “SS” for Salesman Sample. The laces feature mismatched colors, which is original to this pair.