Breaking Down the Most Popular Team Shoes in the NCAA This Season

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

1.

ncaa

The NCAA Basketball season is here and that means a bunch of new players are making a name for themselves. All of the top teams in the NCAA get their own exclusive PE's for the season and that has the entire NCAA basketball scene featuring all of the top shoe lines on the court. Some of the top lines come from brands such as Nike, adidas, and Under Armour. Here is a breakdown of the Most Popular Team Shoes in the NCAA in the early part of the season.

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

RELATED: The 16 Best Performance Basketball Shoes Worn in the 2013 NCAA Tournament
RELATEDThe Sneakers Worn for the 50 Best Performances in NCAA History

Jordan X Retro
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 10 - Jordan X Retro "Steel"

Notable Players & Teams: Ryan Boatright, Connecticut Huskies, Andrew Harrison, Kentucky Wildcats, James Young, Kentucky Wildcats, Winston Sheppard, San Diego State Aztecs

The "Steel" colorway of the Jordan X Retro has become popular in the NBA with a few players such as Jae Crowder wearing it, but the shoe has taken on a life of its own in the NCAA with various players wearing it. The X Retro offers responsive cushioning and a snug fit. The leather upper is soft, comfortable and has all the legendary styling of the original.

$170

Nike Hyper Quickness
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 9 - Nike Hyper Quickness

Notable Players & Teams: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Aaron Gordon, Arizona Wildcats, Adreian Payne, Michigan State Spartans, J.J. Mann, Belmont Bruins

The Nike Hyper Quickness features a one-piece Hyperfuse upper. The Hyper Quickness promises a smooth fit and increased breathability to keep your feet cool and dry well into long bouts of action. The Phylon midsole offers exceptional cushioning and support so you can land softly when rebounding or taking a jump shot. Collar padding allows a secure fit, reducing foot slippage during quick cuts or directional changes.

$90

adidas adiZero Crazy Light 3
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 8 - adidas adiZero Crazy Light 3

Notable Players & Teams: Kenny Chery, Baylor Bears, Kyle Anderson, UCLA Bruins, Bryce Alford, UCLA Bruins

If a player wants to make quick moves then the Crazy Light 3 is the right choice to make. Tipping the scale at just 9.4 ounces, the Crazy Light 3 is one of lightest shoes in its category. The shoe features a slightly modified upper for enhanced comfort and a better overall fit. Its cushioning and support have also been improved thanks to a 4-layer SprintWeb construction with added foam in key areas. A SprintFrame chassis offers lightweight stability and multi-directional on the hardwood, making it a solid choice for both guards and forwards.

$98

Nike LeBron XI
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 7 - Nike LeBron XI

Notable Players & Teams: Julian Randle, Kentucky Wildcats, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky Wildcats, Alex Murphy, Duke Blue Devils

The Nike LeBron XI is a unique shoe. Despite some of the questions surrounding the King choosing to change shoes, it's seen as one of the elite shoes of this year's releases. There is full length Lunarlon and enhanced cushioning in the shoe for the first time in the LeBron series. This will give all players wearing the LeBron a soft and springy responsiveness while playing on the court.

$200

Under Armour Anatomix Spawn High
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 6 - Under Armour Anatomix Spawn High

Notable Players & Teams: Evan Smotrycz, Maryland Terrapins, Rodney Peters, Maryland Terrapins

The Under Armour Anatomix Spawn is used constantly by some of the Under Armour basketball schools such as Boston College and Maryland. The Anatomix Spawn is a basketball shoe designed for lightweight performance and natural support. Interwoven layers of flexgear in the upper are designed around the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the foot to provide a natural fit and lightweight support. Exposed mesh areas provide zone-specific breathability. A full-length Micro-G midsole is cored-out in specific areas to reduce weight and allow natural flexibility.

$120

Rodney Hood
Image via Getty Images/Grant Halverson

No. 5 - Nike Zoom Soldier VII

Notable Players & Teams: Rodney Hood, Duke Blue Devils, Aaron Craft, Ohio State Buckeyes, Aaron Harrison, Kentucky Wildcats

The Nike Zoom Soldier VII basketball shoe is designed with a Hyperfuse upper that minimizes bulk, while still providing high-performance stability and breathable comfort. A composite strap delivers extra lockdown, and design details inspired by a legend lend a modern signature look for all of the elite players in the NCAA that wear it.

$125

Marcus Paige
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 4 - Jordan CP3.VII

Notable Players & Teams: Marcus Paige, North Carolina Tar Heels, David Kravish, California Golden Bears

North Carolina has some deep ties to Jordan with Michael Jordan supporting his alma mater with Jordan shoes for days. One of the standout PEs so far for North Carolina has been the Jordan CP3.VII worn by Marcus Paige for the Tar Heels. The shoe has a locked-down fit and responsive cushioning system. The shoe is also designed for sudden bursts of speed and stability during hard cuts.

$125

Jordan XX8 SE
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 3 - Jordan XX8 SE

Notable Players & Teams: J.P. Tokoto, North Carolina Tar Heels, Jamil Wilson, Marquette Golden Eagles, Davante Garner, Marquette Golden Eagles

The Jordan XX8 SE is very similar to the previous Jordan XX8. Despite the similarity, the XX8 is one of the top sneakers in the Jordan brand lineup. The XX8 SE is equipped with Nike Zoom Air units for elite, low-profile cushioning during play. A lightweight midsole with Flight Plate technology offers stability and support, while a multidirectional outsole delivers excellent traction. Add to that the sandwich mesh upper which locks down your foot like a military boot, and you have one of the most dynamic, supportive, and fastest basketball shoes available today.

$150

Andrew Wiggins
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 2 - adidas Rose 773 2

Notable Players & Teams: Andrew Wiggins, Kansas Jayhawks, Perry Ellis, Kansas Jayhawks, Caris LeVert, Michigan Wolverines, Nik Stauskas, Michigan Wolverines

The adidas Rose 773 2 shoe is one of the more popular shoes among college basketball players. The shoe has a synthetic leather upper, and feature SPRINTWEB support, a stable midsole and a padded collar. The Rose 773 2 features an upper similar to the one see on the Rose 3.5, housed on an adiPure CrazyQuick sole, giving players the best of both comfort and traction.

$90

Nike Zoom KD VI
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

No. 1 - Nike Zoom KD VI

Notable Players & Teams: Tyler Ennis, Syracuse Orange, C.J. Fair, Syracuse Orange, Aaron Harrison, Kentucky Wildcats, Quinn Cook, Duke Blue Devils, Kendall Williams, New Mexico Lobos

The Nike Zoom KD VI is one of the more popular Nike shoes right now with Kevin Durant being one of the top basketball players in the world wearing his own brand. College players get involved in the action as well wearing the signature shoe throughout the season. Along with an ankle-cut design, the KD VI is loaded with performance tech like a Phylon midsole, Zoom unit in the forefoot, and a 180-degree Air unit in the heel. The shoe is Flywire-enabled for flexible support.

$130

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

RELATED: The 16 Best Performance Basketball Shoes Worn in the 2013 NCAA Tournament
RELATEDThe Sneakers Worn for the 50 Best Performances in NCAA History