This Nike LeBron 23 Pays Homage to 2003

Name: Nike LeBron 23 “Grand Opening”
Colorway: White/University Red/Black/Metallic Gold
SKU: HJ5629-100
MSRP: $210 USD
Release Date: November 1
Where to Buy: Nike

When Nike Basketball and LeBron James revealed the Nike LeBron 23 earlier this year, the breadth of the campaign surpassed all expectations. 23 colorways centered around 23 special moments from James’ career accompanied by 23 complementary t-shirts? No modern basketball shoe has seen such a treatment before. Given how many pairs are due to drop before the almost-inevitable LeBron 24 reveal in 2026, Nike’s output has not slowed down one bit.

Adding to the list of 23 is the Nike Lebron 23 “Grand Opening.” This pair turns back time to 2003, specifically October 29 of that year, when James dropped 25 points in his NBA debut. The shoe’s red, gold, black, and white composition nods to the pair of Nike Air Zoom Generations that James wore during the game that started his legendary NBA career. The crown shape of the upper pairs black and red together while a white lion pattern leaps across the uppermost portion of the shoe. Golden branding elements, from the lateral Swooshes to the “L23” logo at the medial and heel, enliven this pair while an icy translucent outsole completes the look.

For those looking to shop this “Grand Opening” colorway of the Nike LeBron 23, it is set to drop on November 1 via Nike SNKRS and select retailers at a starting price of $210 USD. Enjoy a complete look at the sneaker above and stay tuned for more info regarding the new model and its 23 special colorways.