Ever since Dr. James Naismith nailed that peach basket to the wall of a gym in Massachusetts to create the sport of basketball, the game has developed differently – if ever so slightly – on the two sides of the pond. The essentials have remained the same, of course: Ten players, a metal ring, and a leather ball. But the nuances of the game as well as the culture that surrounds it exhibit unique differences. On the hardwood. In the stands. And outside of the arena.
BSTN’s European Basketball Heritage Series is a celebration of the unique local cultures and a humble tribute to those, who were essential in creating them.
With basketball deeply rooted in the brand’s DNA, BSTN has always taken pride in adding their own flavor and a unique European twist to its projects. That’s why we teamed up with the good people at adidas to create two exclusive pairs of the Forum ’84 that are dedicated to two of the absolute powerhouses in European basketball history. The second drop, a Forum High, pays tribute to Jugoplastika Split, the only team to ever win Europe’s premier basketball competition three years in a row.
After originally releasing the Forum dedicated to Jugoplastika Split as part of the friends & family edition BSTN x adidas “Ćevape & Fries“ pack in November 2020, the highly sought-after model returns for a worldwide release. From the team’s first European Champions Cup triumph in BSTN’s hometown of Munich (1989) to the completion of the triple in Paris two years later, the equally beautiful and successful brand of basketball shown by this golden generation has put the sports-crazy city of Split firmly on the map of European basketball.
Clad in the team’s characteristic colors of black and yellow, the adidas x BSTN Forum High ties back to an era of dominance for Jugoplastika Split with a special loop label at the heel and team branding on the ankle. The high-top truly is as ‘Euro’ as it gets, evoking memories of the legendary Gripe gym being filled to the brim and showcasing a game that was truly ahead of its time.
It’s a great honor that after all these years, somebody is giving us this much credit for the basketball that we played at the time and honoring us with the shoe. You guys did a great job. It truly represents the old days and the understanding of the simplicity of the game.
Toni Kukoč
As part of BSTN’s European Basketball Heritage Series, the sneaker collab releases alongside two limited-edition coffee-table books, featuring conversations with people who embody their team, its history, and the culture that makes it unique alongside the campaign imagery. The Jugoplastika Split book includes exclusive interviews with Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa, Božidar Maljković, and many more!
The BSTN x adidas Forum ’84 High Jugoplastika releases at BSTN on Saturday, May 21st. Grab your pair of the European Basketball Heritage Series via the button below!
