Adidas has officially "pressed play" on Damian Lillard's third signature sneaker, the Dame 3, which will debut in an all-red "Roots" colorway on December 14th for $115.
Per Adidas;
“With this being my third shoe, it’s all about appreciation for the people that went out of their way so I’d be able to hoop growing up,” Dame said. “There were a lot of things that happened where if I didn’t have a strong support system – it probably would’ve drowned me. But my family helped me rise up, and now I want to inspire and encourage everyone else to do the same thing.”
“Oakland taught him the good and the bad, toughness and determination,” explained his mother, Gina. “Raising Damian…our family did it as a team. He understands how to help others because that’s what he’s been nurtured in to. He’s going to make sure everybody knows there’s an opportunity out there for them to make it.”
“Damian inspires all of us with his path in life and his approach to the game, giving the design team plenty to work with. We set out to create a shoe that embraces who Dame is, from his debut album ‘The Letter O’ to his community efforts and all the unique ways he connects with fans,” said Jesse Rademacher, adidas Basketball Design Director. “Above all else, his commitment to kids and those around him show his true character.”
The first chapter of Dame 3, "Roots," returns to his early AAU days with the Oakland Rebels, featuring a triple red design to remember each brick Dame carried while practicing his defensive stance with head coach Raymond Young. Hometown coordinates and initials of family represent the influential support Dame’s received on his journey.
- The initials of his mother and two grandmothers (Gina:Cecilia:Ruth) are molded onto the right toe while the initials of his father and grandfather (Houston:Albert) are showcased on the left
- The longitude (37.737 degrees north) and latitude (-122.188 degrees west) of Oakland’s Brookfield neighborhood are featured on the outrigger of the left and right foot, respectively
- 56316, the code displayed on the telephone pole in front his grandparents’ house where Dame learned to shoot on a milk crate, is featured on the center of the outsole
- “WEARING THE LETTER O” is printed on the left sockliner as tribute to both Dame’s pre-game introduction in Portland and his debut album titled “The Letter O,” signifying the three locations most important to his career – Oakland, Ogden and Oregon – printed on the right sockliner
As for the sneaker's specs:
"A customizable lacing system is equipped for unrivaled lockdown, designed to complement a TECHFIT bootie and uniquely hug the foot for personalized fit. Dame 3 features a fused mesh upper that ensures season-long durability without comprising comfort and breathability. A softer material execution along the upper maintains structure and support while also fulfilling “no break in time” on-court."
Again, this "Roots" colorway will debut tomorrow, 12/14, followed by additional drops throughout the year including the "Rip City" rendition which will arrive on January 19th and the "Chinese New Year" joint also shown in the gallery above.