Kentucky to Wear Special Nike Hyper Elite Uniforms on Saturday
Feb. 20, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – As one jersey goes into the Rupp Arena rafters on Saturday for Tony Delk’s jersey retirement, the current Wildcats will don a new jersey for their game against Auburn.
Kentucky is one of eight teams – and one of just six men’s teams – selected by Nike to wear its new Hyper Elite uniforms. The Wildcats will wear new uniforms on Saturday that fuse progressive, premium materials with school heritage.
The uniform will feature a white base with blue lettering and a 26-degree speed graphic of an evolved checkerboard across the side of the game shorts. The 26-degree angle of the graphic was inspired by the chevron on the classic Nike Windrunner track jacket that debuted in 1978. The graphic represents a distinctive basketball point of view, based on the roughly 1,000 directional changes, or “cuts” that a player might make in the course of a game.
More details of the jerseys from Nike are below:
Nike Hyper Elite Jersey
A flocked lining at the inside of the neck allows the athlete to comfortably wipe excess moisture from the face. Ultra-lightweight stretch mesh in the back of the jersey serves to regulate the temperature of the player along the spine, where athletes tend to heat up the most. Redeveloped lightweight sphere fabric in the front of the jersey helps maintain a comfortable body temperature by wicking moisture while eliminating cling from excess sweat.
Nike Hyper Elite Shorts
A perforated, vented waistband in the Nike Hyper Elite shorts provides a level of cooling, while maintaining the comfort and security that athletes require. A new performance flex vent placed by the knee allows the game short to naturally flex when the player moves. The addition of a flocked “wipe zone” at either hip allows a comfortable spot to dry hands as sweat builds up. The continuation of performance perforated zones at the side of the short allows the moisture management properties of the Nike Pro Combat Hypercool shorts or Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong shorts worn underneath to work together as a complete system.
Hyper Elite Collection
Each school’s collection will feature the Nike Hyper Elite jersey and short, Nike Elite sock, Nike Shooting Shirt and the Nike Hyper Elite Vest. The vests sleeveless design allows for full range of motion while providing reduced weight for pre-game warm-ups. The women’s Hyper Elite uniform features a slimmer silhouette in both the jersey and short. More women’s specific basketball products will make their debut starting in August. Additionally, the 26-degree speed graphic on the short depicts an evolved take on an iconic symbol or representation of each team.
For the latest on the Kentucky men’s basketball team, follow @KentuckyMBB on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.
