Heart of a Champion: NBA Sharpshooter Glen Rice Is Still Money in the Zone 93
Recently celebrating its 30-year legacy, the is still scoring treys in 2024. Seeing plenty of game time thanks to NBA champion, All Star and three-point sniper Glen Rice, the classic 1990s hooper is returning to its rightful place on the podium, after the model received a last year. To celebrate a trio of new uniforms, we hooked up with G-Money to talk Champion’s impeccable hardwood DNA, dropping a career high 56 points against the Orlando Magic, and why the Zone 93 is still cold hard cash.
What is your first memory of Champion, and how did you then get connected with them professionally?
My first memory was them doing the uniforms/jerseys of the NBA. That was my introduction to Champion, and then they reached out to my agent about the possibility of me wearing their shoe, which I was more than happy to do. Once I tried on the shoe, I immediately fell in love with it. At that point, I had won both high school and college championships too, so, not trying to sound cocky, but I could relate to being a champion.
Champion and their heritage have played an important role in the NBA and basketball as a whole. When you chose to wear Champion, what was it about the brand that resonated with you?
The Champion logo/name resonated with me. I also loved the high-top shoes, because I had some weak ankles and the high-tops helped provide the support I needed.
We’re seeing a lot of basketball sneakers from the 80s and 90s returning, and some sneakers from that time period are even more popular today than they were back then. What do you think it is about silhouettes from that era that have stood the test of time?
A good looking shoe will be timeless. I’m really proud of the way our shoe looked and that we’re bringing it back for the younger generation.
Can you tell us your thoughts about the Zone 93 and what part it played in your career? What set it apart from other sneakers at the time?
The look of the shoe was beautiful. And for me, that ankle support it provided was really important and comforting. It really did put me in the zone, put my mind at ease, and helped me have a lot of great memories.
Obviously the technical side of performance shoes is the most important factor, but what about the aesthetic design stood out to you?
The high-top, first and foremost. The design elements were great, and the logo was iconic. Again, you can’t get a better name for a brand than Champion.
The NBA have loosened up their rules about sneakers over the years. If you could have customised the Zone 93 PEs while you were playing, what would we have seen you rocking on-court?
Having the shoe in the various colours of the teams I played for would have been great. Outside of that, I don’t think I would have done anything else colorwise with the shoes.
You scored your career high of 56 points wearing Champion against the Magic. Looking back, what do you remember about that night leading into the game? Did you know in warm ups that you were feeling it or did it just happen within the flow of the game?
I knew I was going to have a good game, but didn’t know it was going to be THAT good. As I watching Orlando warm up, they gave me the sense they were overlooking us, so it pissed me off. I figured you know what, I’m going to go out here and play as hard as I can. When the first few shots went in, I knew it was going to be a long night for the Magic.
The second round of Zone 93 colourways is set to drop following the model’s anniversary return in 2023. Aside from the milestone, what made now the time to bring the model back?
Champion has been due to bring their basketball shoe back to the market. It’s time. Who doesn’t want to be a Champion?