Indiana basketball: What to know about new Fear of God alternate uniforms

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball will debut a unique look on Sunday when it hosts Northwestern at Assembly Hall.

Adidas picked the Hoosiers and Miami to debut the Fear of God Athletics' NCAA Collection, a line of apparel that's been in the works since 2020.

Here's all the details on IU's new look:

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Why is Indiana wearing alternate black uniforms against Northwestern

Adidas announced it had partnered with Indiana and Miami to launch the Fear of God Athletics’ NCAA Collection. The company’s founder Jerry Lorenzo designed the uniforms and warm ups for the teams. The Indiana women’s team will wear the uniforms when they play Iowa at Assembly Hall on Thursday.

Players will also wear the Fear of God Athletics One Model, a premium basketball shoe that retails for $250 and is sold out online.

According to a press release, “select students” in each school’s student section will receive an exclusive Fear of God Athletics tee.

Indiana will also have exclusive Fear of God Athletics apparel (team hoodies, tees, and pants) available for purchase at each university’s bookstore starting on Sunday.

During the 2021-22 season, Indiana wore three different alternate uniforms during the 2021-22 season that included replica uniforms of the 1987 NCAA Championship season, a specially-designed cream jersey and Honoring Black Excellence (HBE) adidas design that featured a flower design.

The Hoosiers wore the HBE uniforms in 2023 as well.

Fear of God fashion label launched in 2013

Lorenzo, the son of former the White Sox and Mets manager Jerry Manuel, founded the Fear of God label in 2011. He lists varied influences including John Bender (played by Judd Nelson) from The Breakfast Club, Kurt Cobain and former NBA MVP Allen Iverson.

The luxury brand has exploded in popularity in recent years and added a more affordable Essentials line. Here’s the official description of the brand from the company’s website:

“Fear of God is an independent American luxury fashion label, founded in 2013 in Los Angeles by Jerry Lorenzo. Crafting timeless, wearable garments, the brand’s distinct interpretation of the American expression has become an emblem of contemporary culture. Paying homage to the unique heritage with a contemplated and sophisticated fusion through high-grade materials and fine craftsmanship.”

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Fear of God Athletics makes its long-awaited debut

Lorenzo, who previously collaborated on a series of Fear of God branded Nike Air basketball shoes, was named creative director of Adidas Basketball in 2020. The partnership has evolved in the years since with Lorenzo focusing on launching the Fear of God Athletics brand for the apparel company.

“My heart has always been in sports, growing up in sports,” Lorenzo said, in an interview with GQ Magazine.

The first Fear of God Athletics apparel and footwear debuted in December 2023.

“We’re perpetually chasing innovation that creates something fresh, but which also feels like it should have existed before,” Lorenzo said, in an interview with Vogue Business. “Fear of God Athletics is post-collaboration, post-hype, post-heat. Instead it’s about asking, what is the next step to new functional ideas?”

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana basketball's alternate Fear of God Athletics jersey explained