New Uniforms Pay Tribute to Program’s Storied Past

TUCSON, Ariz. – Coming off of one of the best seasons in the program’s storied history, the Arizona men’s basketball team will take the court in a new look built from that great tradition in 2014-15, as the program and Nike have collaborated on a new uniform concept for the Wildcats.

UA’s new uniform lineup will include five looks – white trimmed with navy, white trimmed with red, navy trimmed with red, red trimmed with navy and gray trimmed with both navy and red – that nod to the wildly popular uniforms that Arizona wore for roughly a decade beginning in the mid-1990’s.

“Our entire team is excited about receiving these new uniforms,” rising senior T.J. McConnell said. “Not only are they going to look great, but the technology that went into making them will benefit us on the court. So many great players in Arizona history wore similar uniforms, and it’s nice to be able to honor them while we try to do some of the same great things on the court.”

The Nike Elite Fit 2.0 uniforms were created with innovation at the forefront of the process, fusing lightweight technology and enhanced fit to maximize performance. The jerseys, which will expand the team’s existing cactus-based aerographic over the entire back, are durable and breathable for sweat management while also maximizing range of motion with articulated armholes.

The four-way stretch woven shorts feature laser perforations and ventilation throughout for breathability and maximum movement, as well as heat transfer color details and a fuller hemline for added mobility. Use of innovative technology has led to a 66 percent weight reduction in the shorts, as well as the ability to dry 30 percent faster than comparable shorts.

The side paneling and trim of the new uniforms pay tribute to the uniforms the Wildcats wore for roughly a decade beginning in the mid-1990’s, a period that cemented Arizona’s place among the nation’s elite college basketball programs.

That period of time was one of the most prosperous in UA history, resulting in the 1997 national championship, a national runner-up finish in 2001, four regular-season Pac-10 championships and a conference tournament title.

For the latest updates on Arizona men’s basketball and an inside look at the program, follow @APlayersProgram on Twitter and @uaplayersprogram on Instagram.