Ellesse Basketball Shoes

Folks - what we have here is likely the rarest shoes from the 1980s . The stealth black 1984-1985 high top basketball shoe from ellesse! I purchased these at the end of my junior high basketball career (Crestwood), and even had the honor of wearing them in the prestigious Ernie Eveland Gym!  Frankly, I'll be surprised if anyone can find another pair these days.  Ellesse didn't sell many.  And these were not cheap back in the day.  This is the reasoning for the inflation adjusted minimum bid, and of course, the rarity of the item has a lot to do with it too. To own these shoes, you likely will be the  only person in the world that can say that!  If anyone has a pair, reach out to me as I'd like to see how well yours held up, and give you an electronic high five for both having the great eye to appreciate them back in the day and also for having the fortitude to keep them this long. They really were the cats meow back in the day, and who's to say they aren't still! Interestingly, I was only able to wear them in one high school basketball game (Paris, IL).  Again, these were the first all black high-top shoe (including the sole), and our coach told me I looked slow on the court while wearing them and not to wear them again.  He was kind-a old school, but a damn great coach!  Of course, looks and actual speed have nothing to do with each other - he knew that - but again, he was old school, and let's be frank - these ellesse were fashion forward!  Again, back in the mid to late 80s these were the only all black shoe with leather you could find.  These came out pre-Jordan to the masses.  I'm certain my mom and I had to drive to Terre Haute to purchase these, and then try our luck at bringing them back across state lines - we probably broke a bootlegging law or two.  But now, looking back at the risk we took in bringing them across the state line, well, I'd do it all over again, as these babies were- and still are- worth it.  I guess that's the reason I still have them.  The last three sentences were my poor attempt to make you laugh. :) Yep, these were the first all black shoe from the 80s , and now you have a chance to add them to your collection.  I have a reasonable Buy It Now price, just in case there are two or more bidders wanting them. The first to Buy It Now - wins.  I like keeping things simple; why complicate life with a seven day auction when the shoes can be yours in one fell swoop. Please understand, if my babies don't sell, I might just put them back in the closet until I'm 60 and then who knows what they'll be worth - $1,000,000+, there's no limit on their value.  You know this, or you wouldn't still be reading.  So, don't wait thinking these will be re-listed, as they might not be.  In fact, as I write this, I'm also reaching out to e llesse's headquarters to see if they have a pair in their company collection.  If not, they'll likely want to add them as these were, and still are, some really cool kicks. I do want to share that the soles are pretty hard - it's old rubber with a crack.  So, you shouldn't wear them unless you want to sound like you are wearing clogs.  Other than that, the shoes still have the original removable insoles - somehow, they made it back in the shoes even after having used them in different shoes.  Also, note that the leather upper is super soft, similar to the early Reeboks.  You remember those white shoes - all the girls wore them in the 80s. Again, you could wear these ellesse, but I don't recommend it.  Probably best to put them in an acrylic box on top of a pedestal next to your old BMX trophies, photos of you with your old high school girlfriend, and of course, your framed high school jacket (with chain and ring in the pocket).  If you are so inclined, you could use these while cruising on your old BMX bike.  Please only GTs, Redlines, Profiles and the rarer Nomura bikes - I guess a Kuwahara will work too (E.T. was pretty cool). These shoes also perform exceptionally well while driving a silver '84 T-Type or '87 Grand National (please only low mile cars with mild modifications), white Monte Carlo SS with T-Tops and either an '83 or '84 Olds Hurst with lightening rod shifters. Yep - these ellesse appreciate the finer things in life.  And only the most refined sneakerhead will understand this.  Best of luck bidding - I'm off to watch Fletch - again. :)

Returns Accepted for this item if it's within 14 Days