Pictured is an artist's computer-generated rendering of the Nike "Platinum" uniform Duke will wear in its home game against Maryland.
NEW YORK — Nike unveiled its new “platinum” uniform line Wednesday to be worn by nine powerhouse men’s and women’s teams including UNC and Duke for one game each this season.
The one-time low-impact environmental uniforms take liberties with the programs’ standard color schemes.The fabric of the shorts is made from 100 percent recycled polyester while the jersey’s fabric is made from at least 96 percent recycled polyester.
The jerseys and shorts are trimmed in some — but not necessarily all — of the schools’ official hues. And the shades chosen are “electric,” reminiscent of the fluorescent tints Oregon football is famous for.
“We definitely get excited about it. I think players care about the way they look,” North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall said. “I know if I played football, Oregon would be in my top five no matter who I was.”
The team names are in a reflective silver material, while the back of the jersey features a large school logo in contrasting shades of gray. Above the number is a star for each of the program’s national championships; the players’ name is below.
The teams selected have won NCAA titles wearing Nike gear: the Arizona, UConn, Duke, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Syracuse men and the Baylor and UConn women.
The Duke men will wear them Feb. 11 and the UNC men on Feb. 29. Both games are at home against Maryland.
In 2011, Nike affirmed its commitment to increasing its use of more sustainable materials by doubling its use of recycled polyester, using approximately 440 million PET plastic bottles, enough to cover over 12,000 basketball courts, and 2012 will build off of those successes.
