The 5 Shocking Secrets Behind The Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” (2025 Update)

The Air Jordan 1 "Shattered Backboard" (SBB) is arguably the most coveted non-OG colorway in sneaker history, a legend born from a single, explosive moment of athletic power. More than just a shoe, it is a wearable piece of Michael Jordan's early international legacy, immortalizing an exhibition game dunk that literally broke the game. As of late 2025, the sneaker world is buzzing with confirmed details about the highly-anticipated return of the original colorway, a release event that promises to redefine the market for one of the most iconic silhouettes ever created.

This deep dive will break down the true story of the 1985 event, detail the full lineage of every "Shattered Backboard" release, and give you the essential, up-to-the-minute information on the 2025 re-release, including the official release date, style code, and what it means for the resale market.

The Immortalized Moment: Michael Jordan's 1985 Italian Exhibition Game

The entire "Shattered Backboard" phenomenon traces back to a single, historic play that occurred thousands of miles from the Chicago Stadium. This event is the foundation of the shoe's legendary status and is essential to understanding its value.

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The Exhibition Game: The moment took place on August 26, 1985, during an exhibition game in Trieste, Italy. Michael Jordan, who was then a rising star fresh off his rookie season, was playing for the Italian team Stefanel Trieste against Juve Caserta.

The Dunk: In a display of raw, early-career athleticism, Jordan drove to the basket and delivered a powerful dunk. The force of the impact was so great that it shattered the glass backboard into thousands of pieces, scattering them across the court. This explosive play has been cemented in basketball lore, symbolizing Jordan’s unstoppable force.

The Inspiration: The original Air Jordan 1 "Shattered Backboard" colorway is a direct homage to the uniform Jordan wore that day. The jersey featured a distinctive Black, White, and Orange color scheme. Specifically, the "Starfish" orange, a key component of the shoe, is a direct nod to the colors of the Stefanel Trieste uniform. The "Sail" color on the shoe’s panels is often interpreted as representing the pale, almost white color of the arena floor or the shattered glass fragments themselves.

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The Definitive "Shattered Backboard" Lineage: Every Release Detailed

The "Shattered Backboard" is not just one shoe; it's a family of colorways, each with its own place in sneaker history and a unique market value. The original release in 2015 set a new standard for non-OG Jordan 1s, and the subsequent variations have fueled the legend.

1. Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard” (2015)

• Colorway: Black/Starfish-Sail
• Status: The Original. This is the shoe that started it all, featuring the iconic black toe box, white side panels, and Starfish orange accents on the heel, collar, and outsole.
• Legacy: Due to its extremely limited release and the powerful story behind it, the 2015 SBB quickly became one of the most valuable and sought-after Air Jordan 1s, often fetching thousands of dollars on the resale market.

2. Air Jordan 1 High OG “Reverse Shattered Backboard” (2016)

• Colorway: Sail/Starfish-Black
• Status: The "Reverse." This version flipped the color blocking of the original, resulting in a shoe with a predominantly white/sail upper, moving the Starfish orange to the toe box and the black to the laces and Swoosh.
• Legacy: Also known as the "Shattered Backboard Away," it proved that the SBB story had broad appeal, maintaining high resale values and solidifying the lineage as a top-tier collection.

3. Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard 3.0” (2019)

• Colorway: Black/Pale Vanilla-Starfish
• Status: The "Patent Leather." This polarizing release changed the material, using a glossy, crinkled patent leather across the entire upper. The pale vanilla midsole added a vintage or aged look.
• Legacy: While controversial among purists due to the material choice, the 3.0 maintained the core Starfish and Black color scheme, rounding out the original trilogy of SBB releases.

The 2025 Re-Release: Essential Details and Market Impact

The biggest news in the sneaker community for late 2025 is the highly anticipated re-release of the original "Shattered Backboard" colorway. This is not a new iteration but a retro of the beloved 2015 design, bringing the legend back to the masses.

Official 2025 Release Information

The return of the SBB is confirmed with specific details that collectors need to know:

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• Release Date: The Air Jordan 1 High OG "Shattered Backboard" (2025) is currently set to drop on August 23, 2025.
• Retail Price: The adult men’s sizing will retail for $185 USD.
• Style Code: The official style code is DZ5485-008.
• Sizing: The release will be available in full family sizing, a major difference from the limited 2015 drop, which suggests a significantly higher stock level.
• Special Packaging: Reports indicate the 2025 version will arrive in a special edition "Shattered" shoebox, adding a unique touch for collectors.

The Resale Reality: A Changing Market

The 2025 re-release is expected to have a profound effect on the resale market, which has seen significant shifts in recent years.

The Original's Value: The 2015 pair will likely remain a grail, with its value sustained by its status as the true "first" retro. Its scarcity and the quality of the leather are benchmarks that the 2025 version will be measured against. Current resale prices for the 2015 release can range significantly, but they remain high, often well over $1,000.

The 2025 Outlook: Due to the "full family sizing" and the increased frequency of Jordan 1 releases overall, the 2025 SBB is not expected to reach the astronomical resale prices of its 2015 predecessor. While it will certainly sell out instantly, the higher stock volume is designed to meet the massive demand, which will naturally suppress the resale premium. Early projections place the resale value significantly lower than the original, making it a much more accessible shoe for the average sneaker enthusiast.

The Legacy Entities: Why the SBB Story Endures

The enduring legend of the "Shattered Backboard" is built on a foundation of specific entities that connect the shoe to history and culture. These are the elements that give the shoe its topical authority:

• Trieste, Italy: The small coastal city where the event took place, forever linked to Jordan's global rise.
• Stefanel Trieste: The Italian club Jordan played for during the exhibition.
• Starfish Orange: The official color name that gives the shoe its signature identity, directly referencing the uniform.
• Sail: The off-white color used on the panels and midsole, often associated with the glass shards or a vintage aesthetic.
• Air Jordan 1 Banned & Royal: The SBB’s color blocking is similar to these original, iconic colorways, which contributed to its initial hype.
• Tinker Hatfield: The legendary designer whose work, while not directly tied to the 1985 AJ1, is central to the Air Jordan brand's legacy.
• Nike Exhibition Game: The specific context of the event, highlighting Nike's early international marketing efforts with Jordan.
• DZ5485-008: The current, official style code for the 2025 re-release, a key piece of information for authenticators and retailers.

The "Shattered Backboard" is more than a sneaker; it is a cultural artifact. The 2025 re-release provides a rare opportunity for a new generation of collectors to own a piece of this history without having to pay the exorbitant prices commanded by the 2015 original. Its story—a young Michael Jordan breaking a backboard in a small Italian town—is a perfect blend of athletic myth and timeless design, ensuring its legacy will continue to dominate the sneaker world for decades to come.