Ian Stonebrook
adidas EQT Elevation
As a kid, I had a different favorite basketball player just about every day of the week. Still, Kobe Bryant remained a constant for the better part of my elementary school years. The fact that he was only 17 and could be drafted to the NBA was so inspiring to me. His rookie cards with the Oakleys suggested swag before it was the daily word and for some reason I just knew he was going to be the man before ever seeing a highlight.
While I was fortunate enough to get the home #8 jersey for Christmas in ‘96, I’d have to wait a while on the adidas EQT Elevation. After months of begging and raiding his room, I was able to get my cousin Ty’s hand-me downs of the white pair. While his size 8.5s fit my fifth grade frame just about as well as his 34 x 30 Tommy Hilfiger carpenters, I still wore them on the regular because they were his and they were Kobes.
Since growing into and growing out of those OG EQTs, I’ve trolled eBay with some regularity for a pair of size 11s. Honestly, I don’t think I’d ever drop more than $300 on them. I’m not much of a big spender when it comes to sneakers though I’d really love to have a pair. The retros are set to launch this year, and I couldn’t be more pumped. The altered hologram on the re-releases has to be a bit aggy, but they’ll have to do. If not, maybe I actually attain my current holy grail.
