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Iconic sneaker comeback could mean return for BBN favorite uniform

Could a Converse release mean a return to the denim uniforms of the 90s? BBN certainly hopes so.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Feb 17, 1996; Knoxville, TN, USA: FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats guard Antoine Walker (24) in action against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
Feb 17, 1996; Knoxville, TN, USA: FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats guard Antoine Walker (24) in action against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

Iconic Kentucky denim sneakers return — is a full throwback uniform drop next?

For Big Blue Nation, history isn’t just honored — it’s worn with pride.

Kentucky fans recently celebrated the surprise return of the beloved “Icicle” jerseys — this time, reimagined for Lexington SC’s soccer squad. But that might just be the tip of the nostalgia iceberg. New sneaker news suggests one of the most iconic Kentucky basketball looks of all time could be making a full comeback.

According to SoleRetriever, Converse is set to release a special edition sneaker next spring or summer: the Denim UK, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1996 national championship team. And yes — they’re styled to echo the legendary denim-look uniforms the ‘96 Wildcats wore en route to a 34–2 season and a national title.

Whether or not the full denim jerseys are also returning is still under wraps, but this sneaker release opens the door wide. If there’s one thing Big Blue Nation has always rallied behind, it’s the sweet spot where fashion meets dominance — and nothing screams that louder than the ‘96 denim look.

Led by Rick Pitino, that Kentucky team steamrolled through the season with relentless depth and star power. Their only losses came against No. 5 UMass in the regular season and Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament. They would later get their revenge, ousting UMass in the Final Four before taking down Syracuse 76–67 in the championship game.

Names like Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, Antoine Walker, Nazr Mohammed, Jeff Sheppard, and Ron Mercer were household fixtures. The team featured a staggering 9 future NBA players and helped define the Pitino era.

This shoe release is more than a retro nod — it’s a bridge across generations of Kentucky basketball fans. Whether you watched that team dominate live or you’ve only seen clips on YouTube, the Denim UK drop is a chance to wear history.

So here’s the big question: If the denim jerseys really are on their way back, what classic uniform do you want to see revived next?

Let us know — BBN never forgets, and neither do we.

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