Drip: HBCU Swag, SpongeBob Collab, Caitlin Clark
Anwar Stetson
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Highlighting Trending Accessories in Youth Sports 🔥🔥🔥
1. Move Over Chanel: There’s a New CC in Town
On Monday, Nike officially unveiled Caitlin Clark as a “Signature Athlete”. What does that mean? According to Nike, Clark will “work side by side with experts across the brand to help shape the future of basketball: fueling hoops culture, growing the women’s game, and empowering the next generation.”
Clark is one of the most popular basketball players in America, male or female. Her enormous impact in the world of hoops is so financially significant that experts have dubbed it the “Caitlin Clark Effect”, injecting millions of dollars into the world of women’s basketball.
Lucky Indiana Fever fans were treated to new Clark-branded T-shirts before Tuesday’s home game against the Seattle Storm. The interlocking “C’s” may remind you of fashion brand Chanel, but in the sports world, “CC’ will now be known for the Midwest phenom taking over the hardwood.
So What’s Dropping?
A navy and yellow Caitlin Clark logo tee is dropping in North America on September 1, with the rest of her logo apparel collection on October 1.
In a recent social media trailer, Nike revealed that Clark’s signature product will drop in 2026.
My initial thoughts are a Caitlin Clark-branded shoe. (If true, Clark will become the third current WNBA player with a signature Nike shoe, after A’ja Wilson and Sabrina Ionescu.)
The 6’0″ star point guard out of Iowa is an inspirational athlete for hoopers around the nation, and anything she drops is almost guaranteed to be a hit with fans. We’ll stay tuned for updates when her latest products drop.
2. D-Jax Brings HBCU Swag to Limited Edition Gloves
Remember DeSean Jackson? The former Philadelphia Eagle lit up NFL stadiums during his playing career, but he’s back representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
As the new head coach at Delaware State, Jackson teamed up with Grip Boost for a limited edition custom football glove, the DeSean Jackson Stealth 6.0. The 14-year NFL vet helped design the gloves for aspiring wide receivers who want to take their game to the next level.
Jackson’s hiring this past December follows a trend of well-known NFL stars from the 2000s coming to coach at HBCUs, increasing exposure and recruiting efforts. Michael Vick recently became the head coach at Norfolk State, and Ed Reed was briefly the head coach at Bethune-Cookman.
Most notably, Deion Sanders began his collegiate head coaching career at Jackson State. Jackson, decked out in Delaware State gear, talked about his excitement for the collaboration.
Jackson’s head coaching career begins Thursday night against Delaware, and his players have all received a free pair of the gloves ahead of the season. The bright, eye-popping colors are sure to hype up youth athletes this football season. Here’s where to buy.
3. Are Ya Ready, Kids? SpongeBob Gloves Give Football that Bikini Bottom Drip
Over 25 years since it premiered, SpongeBob SquarePants is still a cultural icon. These SpongeBob-branded football gloves from Phenom Elite will excite multiple generations of athletes, from nostalgic Millennials to trendy Gen Z players.
The product is officially licensed by Nickelodeon, so players know they’re getting the real deal.
Retailing at $42.99 for youth, the gloves also come in adult sizes. The gloves are made with “dual sticky grip technology,” which Phenom Elite says provides “superior breathability and unbeatable grip for ultimate control in all weather conditions.”
Though they’re made for the gridiron, it seems to me that tech like that could even allow you to play football in a pineapple under the sea. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for prep players sporting our favorite bright-yellow cartoon character this season. They won’t be hard to spot.
4. “Ni-Hao! What’s Haanin’?” Anthony Edwards Tours China with New Signature Shoe
NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards is across the Pacific, bringing his southern Atlanta style to basketball fans all over the nation of China. He’s there for more than just goodwill, however, he’s promoting his newest sneakers, the Adidas AE 2.
Set to debut in October, the sleek AE 2s are the follow-up to Edwards’ first-ever signature shoe, which debuted in 2023. Edwards is one of the most popular NBA players, especially among youth athletes.
The Minnesota Timberwolves star has climbed the Great Wall of China and learned a little Mandarin to extend his fanbase in the country. Take a look at the unboxing below.