It isn’t too often that Jordan Brand brings back a colorway that hasn’t seen the light of day in over three decades, let alone one that few have actually seen in person. But that’s exactly what we have with the new Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Georgetown” that’s set to release tomorrow, April 2nd. The grey-and-navy sneaker is based on a sample version of the vintage basketball shoe from 1985 that was never released to the public. And while it isn’t an exact replica of what Jordan 1 designer Peter Moore created in the spirit of the Georgetown Hoyas college basketball team, it nonetheless offers plenty of nostalgia and a glimpse into the early years of the Air Jordan brand.

There is some speculation that the original “Georgetown” sample was actually a prototype for Moore when he was creating the Jordan 1. Reports claim that the shoe was made between 1984 and 1985, before the official release of the Air Jordan 1, so that checks out if it were indeed true. Was the shoe that became the Air Jordan 1 originally intended to be a team shoe for Georgetown, like the Terminator came to be? Would the silhouette we know as the Air Jordan 1 actually still have existed if Nike never signed Michael Jordan? It’s not clear, but it makes for some interesting sneaker lore.

The Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Georgetown” emulates the look of the original Air Jordan 1 from ‘85, and it wins on all accounts. Its leather is upgraded to look and feel like that of the 1985 version. Even the Jordan 1 ‘85’s panel shapes and collar height are consistent with the OG shoe, as well. But the original sample “Georgetown” colorway has something the modern one doesn’t: “HOYAS” text on the collar instead of the Air Jordan “Wings” logo. Jordan Brand stopped short of including the unique branding on the new colorway. Hey, you can’t have it all, right?

In releasing the Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Georgetown,” Jordan Brand continues the legacy of the vintage-inspired Jordan 1 ‘85 silhouette that debuted in 2020. Like the “Neutral Grey,” “Varsity Red,” and “New Beginnings” colorways before it, the “Georgetown” respects the Air Jordan 1’s roots while giving collectors a chance to relive sneaker history.

Shop the Air Jordan 1 High ‘85 “Georgetown” at Stadium Goods