The Nike LeBron 21 'Prime 93' Pays Homage to Deion Sanders' Time with the Atlanta Falcons

Nike icons unite as LeBron James' LeBron 21 takes inspiration from the golden era of Swoosh signatures. The performance basketball shoe has appeared in a colorway nodding to Deion Sanders' Air Diamond Turf from 1993.

This particular iteration of James' sneaker pays homage to the cross-trainer's Atlanta Falcons-friendly 'Fire Red' finish, an original Diamond Turf color scheme.

The Air Diamond Turf '93 holds a revered spot in sneaker history. Originally crafted for the dual-sport phenom, Primetime's shoe is known for its versatility. The design catered to Sanders' dynamic capabilities in football and baseball with features like a mid-cut silhouette for added support and a distinctive mid-foot strap for improved lockdown. Its robust design and vibrant colorways not only commemorated his professional sports teams, but also resonated deeply with sneaker enthusiasts as pairs embodied the flair and charisma of Sanders himself.

Our initial speculative mock-up (found below) wasn't too far off from Nike's retail version of the shoe. The Air Diamond Turf '93's signature mid-foot strap appears with Nike text, while the tongue boasts Sanders' iconic Primetime emblem (past retros from the D.T. series couldn't feature specific callouts to the dual-athlete, as he wouldn't sign off on them). Nike Air text on the heel and the Falcons-appropriate color scheme completes the homage.

Of course, this isn't the first time LeBron James has honored Coach Prime. In 2018, the LeBron 15 'DT' formed part of the "LeBronWatch" series of retro-inspired sneakers.

Slated for a May 2025 release, the Nike LeBron 21 'Prime 93' is expected to retail for $180 at Nike.com and select retailers. Enjoy detailed photos of the hybrid design below.