Shoes I Have Sported Over The Years

This blog has been inspired by a recent e-mail I received from a basketball junkie. He was asking me about some shoes I had worn so I thought why not write about the shoes that have influenced me over the years.

I have to start with the Dunlop Volley. Every Aussie kid needs to experience this shoe. They have such a range to choose from these days, but I rocked the traditional green/gold volley for all of my teenage years.


This shoe is a classic. And the versatility it provides is unmatched.

You can drop fifty in your local comp and go straight home and fix the tiling on your roof without changing footwear. You are not slipping off of any surface with the Volleys. To this day, tradies rock them (and Winny Blues) religiously.

I can remember kids at State championships discussing the price of their new kicks (mainly Jordans) and getting mad if they got scuffed.

The dirtier the Volleys, the better they were.

This shoe will always hold a special place in my heart and wardrobe.

When my feet decided an upgrade was required I dreamt of putting on the Converse Weapon and joining Magic and Larry in their commercial.

But those suckers were heavy, so if I was ever going to dunk in my teenage years I had to choose something that would enhance my athleticism, not hinder it.

Luckily for a me an American in Toowoomba had some influence on me at the time and he talked up the Adidas Top Ten. I had never heard of these shoes in my life before.

A little research (thanks Hoop magazine) and I was sold on these sweet looking low cuts.

I had to convince a sports store in my hometown to order me in a pair from overseas (pre Internet era). Months later they arrived and I was that kid trying not to get my shoes scuffed up.

After the Top Ten's had seen better days I got spoiled and have never had to purchase too many more pairs of playing shoes.

The best I have worn from then till now are the AND1 (my current sponsor) 24 Karat's.

Why? They are low cut (I only rock lows), light and just felt dawn good on my feet. I have tried to get And1 to get some more in from anywhere but it seems that dream is lost.

To be honest, they helped my game that much I have not dunked in a game since I've removed them from my feet.

Please bring them back so my children will stop asking me, "when will you dunk in a game Dad?"

Like most athletes, I have a "thing" for shoes but there are only a few that have a true impact on you, and these where mine.

Let me know what kicks you had/have a ball wearing.