The Nike LeBron 21 Prime '96 "Varsity Red" Finally Drops This Month

Name: Nike LeBron 21 Prime ‘96 “Varsity Red”
Colorway: White/Metallic Gold/Fire Red
SKU: HV1221-100
MSRP: $200 USD
Release Date: April 25
Where to Buy: Nike

Update: It’s been over nine months since word of LeBron James dropping his LeBron 21 Prime ‘96 in “Varsity Red” first surfaced. The pair — which combines the LeBron 21 with Deion Sanders’ Nike Air DT Max ‘96 — has just officially been presented by the Swoosh, highlighting its hybrid build. As noted previously below, it sees white and red accented by notes of black and gold while arriving in a special shoe box. Release is now set to take place on April 25 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a starting price of $200 USD.

Original Story: We’re in the heat of the NBA offseason and many stars are preparing for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris, including LeBron James, who is hoping to win his third gold medal. Meanwhile, his work with Nike Basketball is expanding with not only the introduction of the LeBron 22 in September, but his Royalty TR training shoe and now the LeBron 21 Prime 96 as well.

Andrew D. Bernstein/Nbae/Getty Images

During the last NBA season, James was spotted wearing a special version of the LeBron 21 — combining its design with the upper of Deion Sanders’ Air DT Max ‘96, which just returned to shelves earlier this year. While expected to simply be a PE for James, it’s now rumored to be releasing to the masses next year in this “Varsity Red” colorway, according to Sneaker Files. Based on the pair James wore in the Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, it’ll sport the slash motif across the upper, arriving alongside a midfoot strap.

At the time of writing, Nike Basketball has not confirmed that the LeBron 21 Prime 96 will be releasing. Stay tuned for updates, including images of retail pairs, as we currently expect the sneaker to drop in its “Varsity Red” colorway during the summertime of 2025 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a currently unknown price point.