On Thursday night, Kansas men’s basketball program announced it will wear 1990s throwback uniforms when it hosts Oklahoma on Feb. 15 (12 p.m. ET on ESPN).
Aside from one minor detail, the Adidas throwback uniform is an accurate replica of what former NBA All-Star Paul Pierce wore during his freshman and sophomore seasons (1995-97) with the Jayhawks. It features the beloved circus font across the chest — albeit in a bolder and more condensed form than the original set made by Champion — as well as blue side panels outlined in crimson.
While we’ve yet to see the full uniform, it’s probably safe to assume those panels continue down both sides of the shorts and wrap around the leg holes to create a trim effect. Kansas’ interlocking “KU” would be on the right side of the shorts, while the player’s number would be on the left — a unique design design not seen on the Jayhawks’ uniforms since.
“This has to be No. 1,” Pierce said when asked where this look ranks among the uniforms he’s worn throughout his career, a majority of which he played with the Boston Celtics. “I mean, if you look at it with the Kansas blue outlined in red. It’s withstood the test of time. This jersey was worn like 24, 25 years ago, and it still looks like it belongs today. It’s a great design.”
Third-ranked Kansas enters Saturday’s game at 21-3 overall and 10-1 in the Big XII, just one game behind No. 1 Baylor.
Photo via @KUHoops on Twitter.