University of Tennessee Athletics
adidas Unveils Exclusive Gear in Maui
November 21, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2011
MAUI, Hawaii -- Today, adidas and University of Tennessee unveil a line of Hawaiian inspired basketball footwear and apparel to celebrate championship round play at the 2011 Maui Invitational. The line features the lightest basketball shoe ever, the adiZero Crazy Light, the iconic Crazy 8 basketball shoe and a shooting shirt with an exclusive Hawaiian themed logo, all in a sharp blue colorway that pays homage to Maui's tropical waters.
"We're excited about the opportunity to come to Maui and play in what has truly become one of the most prestigious events in college basketball," Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin said. "We're also lucky to have a partner like adidas who provides us with the best high-performance basketball gear available. These shoes that were designed specifically for this tournament are the lightest basketball shoes being produced right now. And the fact that adidas found a way to tie the design into the Hawaiian culture is really unique."
adidas worked closely with local artist Che Pilago of Moku Nui apparel to create a Hawaiian inspired contemporary logo for the Maui edition college exclusive shooting shirts. At the center of the graphic represents Ku, the Hawaiian God of war, also connecting to an athlete warrior mindset. Above Ku, the parallel half circles signify striving and pushing to achieve one's goals, while the braided ropes on either side represent teamwork and unity. The overall triangle design represents gaining strength from the islands. Overall, this contemporary adaptation honors the Hawaiian roots of the Maui Invitational.
"We wanted to celebrate this tournament by showcasing adidas Basketball performance and style in a way that recognized the island's culture and tradition," said Robert Capener, director of basketball for adidas America. "We are excited to have five great college programs show-off our product in a way totally unique to Hawaii."
Along with Tennessee, adidas Maui apparel will be worn exclusively by Kansas, Michigan, UCLA and host school Chaminade throughout the ten-day tournament.
The adiZero Crazy Light is available now for $130 at Foot Locker, Eastbay and shopadidas.com.
