It’s part of the lore behind LeBron James’ stellar NBA career that in 2002 he was featured on a Sports Illustrated cover that proclaimed James as “The Chosen One.”
Almost two decades later, Sports Illustrated is now teaming up with James and his UNKNWN apparel company to drop a quickstrike collaboration that honors the iconic athlete’s first of almost 30 Sports Illustrated cover stories.
UNKNWN is an apparel brand, concept retail store, and community venue based in Miami, FL. The UNKNWN apparel label offers American and performance designs with specialized fabrics and custom product construction within all of its collections. The concept space also connects brands to consumers through communal experiences, workout classes, curated products, and exclusive collaborations.
Sports Illustrated and UNKNWN’s new collaboration features co-branded black t-shirts and hoodies and displays James’ iconic February 18, 2002 cover that he shot as a high school junior that famously dubbed him “The Chosen One.” The pieces are designed to celebrate the enduring legacy of Sports Illustrated and embody the same strength and mentality that has defined James’s career and journey.
The capsule will be supplemented with look book photography and is dropping Friday, May 21 at UNKNWN.com.The Sports Illustrated x UNKNWN capsule collection is available exclusively at UNKNWN in-store and online.