Having a nickname like ‘The Pick’ is kinda like being a 30+ year old rapper named ‘Lil’ or ‘Young’ something.  On one hand, is it still even relevant?  On the other, there’s no doubting that basketball fans and North Carolina natives alike are sure to remember Emeka Okafor as the first pick in the 2004 NBA Draft and consequently the Charlotte Bobcats’ first ever draft pick.  The nickname has apparently stuck with the big UConn alum, as his Nike Air Max Hyperize PEs for the New Orleans Hornets prominently feature ‘THE PICK 50′ on their tongue tags.  The Hyperize family isn’t exactly on the same schedule as the NBA, so there’s a good chance Okafor will rock these next season, and you can check back with Sneaker News for the latest in Nike Basketball player exclusives.

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Thanks to a name like Fragment Design, the Nike All Court finally stopped going under the radar. And with some other solid colorways as general releases, they’re starting to hit a sort of mainstream level. In a new Midnight Navy and Birch, the color choices in such materials as canvas and super premium suede, respectively, give these classics such a sophisticated look that so allures many a sneakerhead now-a-days. As a booster, the interior gets lined with terrycloth for a super comfy fit all Summer long. Cop while you can from Extra Butter; we heard these Quickstrike pairs are flying out the door.

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We’ve seen several previews of his ‘Thai Temple’ Nike SB Dunk High Quickstrike, but what about the ‘original’ Eric Koston Nike SB Dunks?  With the Thai Temple joints delayed from an earlier reported April release date, these Nike SB Dunk Lows have slipped under the radar.  It’s kinda like forgetting Christmas or your birthday is today, then finding that you’ve received as a gift a modern interpretation of one of your grails.  It remains to be seen if Koston’s first Dunk Low is revered on the level of some of the silver and pink box-era releases, but one thing we do know for sure: CCS has these available for pre-order with an expected ship date of May 31, so you better grab yours while you can.

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If you’re thinking, “Didn’t these drop earlier this year,” you’re only partially right.  There was indeed another Nike Air Force 1 in metallic silver with black accents, and that pair like this one, was also a Quickstrike.  The main differences between these two pairs, then, are that these new AF1s are lows whereas the others were hightops that featured special insignias for the 2010 NBA All Star Game.  You’ll notice that the new pair is straight-up silver, which should translate to an overall more versatile look.  Expected at retailers in early July, these joints are available now for pre-order from footwear_depot on eBay.

Style: 318775-006
Color: Metallic Silver/Black

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The Nike Air Max 24-7 is one of Nike Sportswear’s best hybrids and the Air Attack Pack releases are all quite impressive, but without this colorway, the shoe really couldn’t claim ‘all day’ status.  That’s cos anything resembling a ‘complete’ discussion of the Air Max 95 simply must include the iconic ‘Neon’ colorway.  It’s interesting to see this grey-dient palette applied to Air Max 97-like flowy lines, but it gives you a very good indication of how closely related those kicks really were, even if it didn’t seem obvious at the time.  A must-have colorway for any serious Air Max collector, these AM24/7s are now available from StepToRun on eBay.

Style: 397252-002
Color: Neutral Grey/Volt-Medium Grey-Cool Grey

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Atlanta’s B.o.B. recently stopped by the 102.7 KIIS FM 2010 Wango Tango concert that was held at the Staples Center this past Saturday. While B.o.B’s debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, debuted at an impressive number 1 spot when it was released only a couple of weeks ago, the rapper shows us that his kick game is up quite impressive as well. B.o.B. showed up to the concert wearing a pair of the Nike RT1′s in Mushroom, White, and Varsity Red and then switched into a pair of the recently released Nike Air Royal Mid VT from the Macrons Pack in the Cool Mint colorway.

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Nike Sportswear has just given us the latest look at some of their footwear for the Fall 2010 season.  And frankly, with extensive coverage of the world of kicks as reported here on Sneaker News, very little in the way of new shoes is a surprise.  However, it’s clear from these preview images that whether you know they’re coming or not, this set still has plenty of head-turning potential.

First up, we’ve got two new colorways for the Nike Air 180, one of which is the dope Infrared pack pair we previewed last week, and the other offers its own take on the ‘Aqua’ palette.  There’s an Air Maxim 1+ that represents the Omega Pack, which features a similar colorway to a white/red/navy Air Max 90 that’s also on the way.  With the mint green AM95s seeing another retro release, that’s alot of visible Nike Air, but don’t forget about the Air Mariah and Nike Challenger pack that’s set to drop in a couple months as well.  And last but not least, the asymmetrically toe-capped Nike All Court in both leather and VNTG-treated canvas pairs.  These should all hit select NSW retailers come July, and you can see the entire spread after the jump.  via FNG

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Skaters and gamers alike may already be on the up and up about EA Sports’ newest installment of the Skate video game series.  Among the numerous names that feature rebellious, rowdy and bone-crushing skating fun, we’ve seen plenty of our fair share of real apparel and footwear products featured on the game’s characters.  Skate 3 is no different as we get a close look at some of the footwear integrated into the optional attire choices.  Among the various kicks to select, we see Nike SB’s Dunk Low Griptape, Dunk High Grey/Varsity Red-Old Royal, as well as black colorways of Stefan Janoski and Omar Salazar’s signature shoes.  With choices like these, there’s never an excuse for even your virtual selves to steez under-par.  via Dunkbar

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The surefire Hall of Famer broke otu a black and pink PE of the Air Jordan Jeter Throwback for Mother’s Day, but Derek’s Jays pictured above should be quite a bit more wardrobe-friendly.  You’ll probably be rocking these Jeter Throwbacks with shorts or sweats, but with a simple white/navy colorway, you’ll be stylish even if sweaty.  Grab the latest colorway from Derek Jeter’s latest Jordan Brand trainers, today from FinishLine.

Style: 395190-101
Color: White/White-Pitch Blue

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Roger Federer is quite possibly the best tennis player ever, with his rival Rafael Nadal among the all-time greats himself.  Rafa had dominated their matches on clay but lost an upset in the semifinals that prevented a 2008 rematch and allowed Federer to win his first French Open last year, completing his career Grand Slam.  To say this is the best rivalry in tennis this past decade is a gross understatement, and it turns out that Nike is lucky enough to have both of these future hall of famers on their roster.

We’re sure the Swoosh is hoping this doesn’t turn out like MVPuppets, but they’re releasing a 2010 Roland Garros Pack that includes full outfits for both racqueteers.  Nadal’s look is decidedly brighter with a polygonal Dri-Fit shirt in bright colors and a matching Nike Air Max Courtballistec 2.3.  Federer goes with a simpler teal polo and white shorts that nicely compliment his white/obsidian LunarLite Vapor Tour lowtops.  You’ll have to wait till next Monday to start charting these tennis giants’ progress toward an epic rematch, but the Air Max Courtballistec 2.3 and LunarLite Vapor Tour from the Roland Garros Pack are both available now on eBay.  via HB

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A couple weeks ago, we got a look at the Nike 6.0 WMNS footwear collection for later this year.  Here’s a closer look at two new releases, the Nike 6.0 Braata and Balsa lowtops.  The Braata is a familiar Nike Six silhouette that looks dope in an off-white canvas material, but it’s the Balsa that’s sure to get extra attention here.  That’s taking nothing from the Braatas, but this Balsa lowtop gives us some more insight into what to expect from the hightop version we previewed, plus it looks great in blue denim with coral and caramel brown accents.  Grab one or both of these today from a Nike 6.0 retailer like Extra Butter.

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It may seem like some time ago, but it was only 4 months ago that a massive earthquake hit Haiti, forever changing the lives of millions both there and in the US. Efforts to aid and assist has dissolved a bit but they are still in much need of help. Pioneering sneaker forum, Niketalk, has managed to gather five of the biggest customizers- JGoods, 1of Customs, JBF, Evolved Foowear, and Revive- to contribute their skills to create custom pairs to be auctioned off. Not only will all proceeds be donated, but Niketalk themselves will match all winning bids to contribute to the Doctors Without Borders fund. Each pairs is quite unique, really pushing the boundaries of custom sneaker work. No need to be a forum member either, you can simply email Niketalk directly to place a bid. A great capsule for a great cause. Check below for more details of each custom.

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