The Air Jordan IX (9) was released in 1993. On October 6th 1993, Jordan gave the basketball world a shock when he announced his retirement from the NBA. This was just one day before Training Camp and it was not what anyone had expected at this time. The greatest basketball player of all time retiring at the age of 30. A decision probably affected by the fact that his father was murdered in North Carolina in the summer of 1993.

Multilingual The shoe being released was plain and sturdy and was the first model that Michael did not wear in an NBA seasonal game (due to the retirement). The sole had lots of details and a large 23 was stiched at the back of the shoe.

There were also words in different languages on the soles of the shoes, this is what is said;

Right shoe: dédié (french) - dedicated fuerza (spanish) - force intenso (italian) - intense liberté (french) - freedom anmutig (german) - graceful

Left shoe: спорт (russian) - Sport uhuru (swahili) - independence свобода (russian) - freedom athletisch (german) - athletic muundaji (swahili) - ?????

There are also two Japanese words that reads “world” and “sport”.

Cleated air As Michael had placed the basketball on the curb he decided to take on the game of  basketball. A special cleated version of the IX’s was made and helped him in his Birmingham Barons baseball career.

The Air Jordan’s had not disappeared from the courts though. Known as player samples there were Air Jordan IX’s being produced with not only #23 on the back, but with individual numbers for players such as Kendall Gill (#13), and Mitch Richmond (#2).

Original
White-Black-True Red
White-Black-Dark Powder Blue
Black-Light Olive-True Red
Black-Dark Charcoal-True Red

Retro
White/Black-True Red
Black/Light Olive-True Red

Retro +
White/French Blue-Flint Grey
Medium Grey/White-Cool Grey
White/White (low)
White/Blue Pearl (low)

Samples
White-Black-Varsity Green 13
Black-Dark Charcoal-Varsity Blue
Black-Black-White (cleats)