The Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Pearl,” a legendary sneaker known for its appearance in Spike Lee’s 1998 film “He Got Game,” is set to make a comeback in Holiday 2025 after a decade-long absence. This highly anticipated release is generating a lot of excitement among sneaker enthusiasts, particularly those who appreciate the shoe’s unique history and striking aesthetic. The Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Pearl” first hit the footwear scene in 1997, just a year before it made its cinematic debut on the feet of Ray Allen’s character, Jesus Shuttlesworth. While we don’t have any images of the 2025 version yet, the original design is still creating a lot of excitement.
Over the years, Nike has brought back the Pearl Foamposite Pro a few times, with releases in 2002, 2009, 2010, and most recently in 2015. The 2009 House of Hoops exclusive release got a lot of praise, but the subsequent wider release in 2010 faced criticism for perceived color discrepancies. The 2015 release playfully referenced the shoe’s “He Got Game” roots by packaging it with the Zoom Hawk Flight, another sneaker featured in the film, as part of the “Class of ’97” pack.
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The Foamposite Pro was first launched in 1997 along with the Air Foamposite One, and it quickly established its own distinct identity. The Pro model has a different look than Penny Hardaway’s signature Foamposite One. It has a big Swoosh logo and a unique outsole pattern. The innovative Foamposite technology, which uses a new compression and molding process, was used in eight more Nike basketball models by 2003. Even the Jordan Jumpman Team Masterpiece used this technology in 2000. While the Foamposite’s first attempts at tennis and lifestyle footwear with the Courtposite and Clogposite initially faced some criticism, recent revivals of these models have been met with greater enthusiasm. The technology also made its way into three Nike LeBron sneakers, a Carmelo Anthony model, and the Foamposite Lite, particularly the “Kryptonite” colorway that Nate Robinson made famous.
The Air Foamposite Pro “Pearl” has a distinctive color scheme—mostly white with black accents and subtle red highlights—that makes it a shoe with enduring appeal. The shoe’s standout Pearl Foamposite shell upper, paired with black Swooshes, nubuck eyestays, a tongue, heel, and a carbon fiber shank plate, creates a visually striking contrast. Red outlines add a pop of color to the heel Swoosh, tongue pull tabs, and the pods on the translucent outsole. The shoe’s connection to basketball legends like Tim Duncan and Scottie Pippen, who wore a special edition of the “Pearl,” makes it a true icon in footwear history.
The Nike Air Foamposite Pro “Pearl” is set to launch during the Holiday 2025 season via the Snkrs app and select retailers, with a retail price of $230. This release offers sneaker enthusiasts a chance to own a piece of basketball and cinematic history.
