The 5 Most Iconic Eddie Jones Jordan Sneakers: Why He Was A First-Ever Team Jordan Athlete
In the pantheon of NBA sneaker history, few stories are as foundational yet often overlooked as that of Eddie Jones and his role as one of the original Team Jordan athletes. As of December 24, 2025, the legacy of Jones's footwear remains a critical chapter, representing Michael Jordan's first major move to expand his brand beyond himself by signing a select group of young, dynamic players.
Jones, a smooth, two-way guard known for his defensive prowess and high-flying Laker tenure, was hand-picked in 1997 to carry the torch for the newly formed Jordan Brand. This partnership didn't just give him exclusive colorways; it led to one of the most recognizable non-Air Jordan signature shoes of the late '90s, cementing his status as a key figure in the brand's early commercial success.
Eddie Jones: Complete NBA Biography and Career Milestones
Eddie Charles Jones was a professional basketball player whose 14-season NBA career was defined by versatility, elite defense, and a smooth offensive game. His journey from college standout to NBA All-Star laid the perfect groundwork for his historic partnership with Jordan Brand.
- Full Name: Eddie Charles Jones
- Born: October 20, 1971 (Toledo, Ohio)
- Height: 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
- College: Temple University (1991–1994)
- NBA Draft: 1994 / Round 1 / Pick 10 (Selected by the Los Angeles Lakers)
- NBA Teams:
- Los Angeles Lakers (1994–1999)
- Charlotte Hornets (1999–2000)
- Miami Heat (2000–2005)
- Memphis Grizzlies (2005–2007)
- Miami Heat (2007)
- Dallas Mavericks (2007–2008)
- Career Highlights and Awards:
- 3× NBA All-Star (1997, 1998, 2000)
- All-NBA Third Team (2000)
- 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1998, 1999, 2000)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1995)
- NBA Steals Leader (2000)
Jones’s most significant individual years came during his time with the Lakers and the Miami Heat, where he consistently averaged over 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, earning him multiple All-Star and All-Defensive selections. It was during his promising Laker years that he first caught the eye of Michael Jordan’s new venture.
The Genesis of Team Jordan: A Founding Member in 1997
The establishment of Jordan Brand as a separate entity from Nike in 1997 was a landmark moment in athletic apparel history. To signify the brand’s expansion and its future beyond Michael Jordan himself, a select group of NBA players were chosen to represent the new venture—a group that would become known as Team Jordan.
Eddie Jones was among the very first athletes signed, alongside other notable names like Vin Baker. This selection was a direct testament to Jones’s on-court appeal: he was a high-flying, exciting player in a major market (Los Angeles Lakers), possessing the kind of two-way excellence and effortless style that mirrored Jordan’s own game. His signing was crucial, as he provided the brand with a dynamic, marketable presence on a championship-contending team.
The partnership was unique because Jones didn't just wear Air Jordan PEs; he was given his own line of signature sneakers, a rare honor that underscores his importance to the brand’s initial strategy. This move helped Jordan Brand immediately establish credibility and a broader footprint in the competitive sneaker market.
The 5 Most Iconic Eddie Jones Jordan Sneakers and Player Exclusives
Eddie Jones’s footwear legacy extends across a range of models, from his signature line to some of the rarest Player Exclusives (PEs) in the Air Jordan catalog. Here are the five most significant sneakers tied to his career:
1. The Jumpman Quick 6 (1998) - The Signature Shoe
The Jumpman Quick 6 is arguably the most famous sneaker associated with Jones. Released in 1998, it was one of the first non-Air Jordan signature shoes under the new Jordan Brand umbrella. The name was a perfect encapsulation of his identity: "Quick" referenced his speed and agility as a guard, and "6" was his jersey number with the Lakers, Hornets, and Heat.
Designed for quick cuts and explosive play, the shoe featured a distinct, aggressive silhouette. It has seen a modern resurgence, with the brand quietly retroing the model in 2018, nearly 20 years after its original release, proving its enduring appeal among sneaker enthusiasts and fans of '90s basketball.
2. The Air Jordan XIII 'Miami Heat Away' PE
After a trade to the Charlotte Hornets and then a major move to the Miami Heat, Jones became the face of the franchise and a consistent All-Star. His Player Exclusives during this period are legendary. The Air Jordan XIII (13) PE in the 'Miami Heat Away' colorway is a collector's dream. This version featured a black leather and mesh upper with vibrant red accents, perfectly matching the Heat's road uniforms. It was a rare sighting on the court and a stark reminder of Jones's continued status as a top-tier Jordan Brand athlete even after leaving the Lakers.
3. The Jumpman Swift (Retro 2019) - The Spiritual Successor
While the Jumpman Quick 6 was his original signature, the Jumpman Swift model is often considered its spiritual successor and has been the subject of more recent news. In 2019, Jordan Brand released new colorways of the Jumpman Swift that explicitly paid homage to Jones’s career. These releases featured team-specific color schemes, including the iconic purple and gold of the Lakers and the red and black of the Heat, effectively re-introducing his legacy to a new generation of sneakerheads and reaffirming his historical importance to the brand.
4. The Air Jordan XIV 'Memphis Grizzlies' PE
Later in his career, Jones brought his veteran leadership and defensive intensity to the Memphis Grizzlies. This move resulted in another set of highly coveted PEs. His Air Jordan XIV (14) PE for the Grizzlies featured a white, light blue, and yellow color scheme to match the team's home uniforms. A distinctive detail was the embroidery of his initials, "EJ," along the medial collar of the shoe, a personalization that makes these PEs instantly recognizable and highly sought after by collectors of vintage Jordan memorabilia.
5. The Air Jordan XX 'Miami Heat' PE
The Air Jordan XX (20), a model known for its laser-etched design and ankle strap, was also part of Jones’s rotation during his second stint with the Miami Heat. His PE version was often seen in the classic Heat colors, featuring a clean white base with red and black accents. The fact that Jordan Brand continued to supply him with Player Exclusives for their mainline Air Jordan models—even the highly experimental 20th anniversary shoe—demonstrates the enduring respect and commitment the brand had for one of its founding members throughout his long and distinguished career.
The Enduring Legacy of Eddie Jones in Sneaker Culture
Eddie Jones's impact on Jordan Brand is a story of pioneering partnership and enduring style. He was more than just an endorser; he was a foundational pillar of the brand’s expansion strategy, bridging the gap between Michael Jordan’s playing days and the future of the Jumpman logo.
His signature shoes, like the Jumpman Quick 6 and the later Jumpman Swift, provided performance-focused alternatives to the mainline Air Jordan models, which were often priced higher. This allowed Jordan Brand to capture a wider market share and establish itself as a dominant force in the performance basketball category. The recent retros of his signature models and the continuous surfacing of his rare PEs—including the Air Jordan 9, Air Jordan 12, and Jordan Work'm—ensure that his name remains synonymous with the golden era of Jordan Brand's early athlete roster. His quickness, defense, and smooth game will forever be immortalized in the design and history of the sneakers he wore.
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