10 Basketball Sneakers That Will Dominate March Madness

Predicting ten sneakers that will gain the most attention in the NCAA college basketball tournaments.
10 Basketball Sneakers That Will Dominate March Madness
10 Basketball Sneakers That Will Dominate March Madness /

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Today and tomorrow mark the final days of the regular season for many NCAA college basketball teams. However, the mid-major schools have already begun their conference tournaments, which means March Madness has truly arrived.

Just as hoops fans can count on buzzer-beaters and brackets busting, they can also expect plenty of fire footwear on the court. But which sneakers will be the most popular this year? 

Unlike the pros, there are not many brands represented in the NCAA. Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour have a foothold with almost every single program. With that said, FanNation Kicks has created a list of ten sneakers to watch for March Madness 2024.

10 Sneakers to Watch in March Madness

Predicting the ten most popular sneakers for the NCAA basketball tournaments.

Adidas AE 1

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards' gold and black adidas sneakers.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Adidas AE 1.

Why It Will Be Popular: Adidas is on fire with its footwear, but many of its college basketball programs are struggling (look at the ACC standings). Nevertheless, Anthony Edwards is the most exciting player in the NBA right now, and his first signature sneaker is just as provocative. 

How To Buy It: Edwards' sneakers keep selling out on the adidas website, but athletes and fans can find the hoop shoes in select sizes at Foot Locker.

Adidas Harden Vol. 8

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.'s white and black adidas sneakers.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The adidas Harden Vol. 8.

Why It Will Be Popular: Harden's eighth signature sneaker continues to push the envelope, and we have already seen college players embracing the futuristic model.

How To Buy It: Harden's sneakers keep selling out on the adidas website, but athletes and fans can find the hoop shoes on the resale website StockX.

Curry Flow 11

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry's blue and white Under Armour shoes.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Curry Flow 11.

Why It Will Be Popular: Stephen Curry is a rising tide that lifts all boats, and that includes Under Armour-sponsored programs. Curry's 11th signature sneaker will be the hoop shoe of choice for many players.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can purchase Curry's signature sneakers at Foot Locker.

Jordan Luka 2

Luka Doncic's blue and navy 'UNC Tar Heels' Jordan Brand sneakers.
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Jordan Luka 2.

Why It Will Be Popular: There are only a handful of Jordan Brand schools, which is too bad because Jumpman is bringing the heat this year. The silver lining is fans can expect to see some fire player-exclusive colorways of Doncic's second signature sneaker.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can purchase the Jordan Luka 2 on the Nike website.

Jordan Zion 3

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson's yellow and blue Jordan Brand sneakers.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Jordan Zion 3.

Why It Will Be Popular: Zion Williamson will always hold an infamous place in college basketball sneaker history. Luckily, his signature line with Jordan Brand is making up for the blowout heard around the world in 2019.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can purchase the Jordan Zion 3 on the Nike website.

Nike Ja 1

Ja Morant's white, purple, and gold 'LSU Tigers' Nike sneakers.
© Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Nike Ja 1.

Why It Will Be Popular: Gen-Z loves Ja Morant and his first signature sneaker. Even better, Nike has created countless player-exclusive colorways for college programs. The Nike Ja 1 will be all over the courts this month.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can purchase the Nike Ja 1 on the Nike website.

Nike KD 16

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant's orange and white Nike sneakers.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Nike KD 16.

Why It Will Be Popular: The Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers will both make noise this month, and both schools have strong ties to Kevin Durant.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose between several colorways of the Nike KD 16 on the Nike website.

Nike Kobe 6 Protro

Kobe Bryant's red and black Nike sneakers.
© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Nike Kobe 6 Protro.

Why It Will Be Popular: Mamba Programs will rock lots of Nike Kobe 8s, but the rest of the field will wear more Nike Kobe 6s—specifically, in the 'Reverse Grinch' colorway.

How To Buy It: Kobe Bryant's sneakers sell out fast online, but athletes and fans can find the sneakers on the resale website StockX.

Nike LeBron 21

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James' white, cardinal, and gold Nike sneakers.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Nike LeBron 21.

Why It Will Be Popular: LeBron James is the face of Nike Basketball, and his 21st signature sneaker has been redesigned in countless college-inspired colorways this season.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose between several colorways of the Nike LeBron 21 on the Nike website.

Nike Sabrina 1

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic's pink and white Nike sneakers.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Shoe: The Nike Sabrina 1.

Why It Will Be Popular: Sabrina Ionescu's first signature sneaker is more than just a hit with women players; the men love it too. The Nike Sabrina 1 will be one of the top choices among hoopers this month.

How To Buy It: Online shoppers can choose between several colorways of the Nike Sabrina 1 on the Nike website.

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Published
Pat Benson
PAT BENSON

Pat Benson covers the sneaker industry for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Previously, he has reported on the NBA, authored "Kobe Bryant's Sneaker History (1996-2020)," and interviewed some of the biggest names in the sports world. You can email him at 1989patbenson@gmail.com.