Nike has unveiled their latest innovation; a basketball sneaker that measures your vert!

Nike+ Basketball is a new experience connecting digitally enabled footwear with interactive mobile applications that together deliver a revolutionary sport experience.

The new Nike+ Basketball experience breaks down the user’s game to deliver information and measurement, which in turn is intended to provide motivation, it measures how high, how hard and how quick players play each game.

The technology utilises a new Nike+ Pressure Sensor built into each shoe that collects information about the user’s movement and then wirelessly transmits data to their phone. It is then translated into different metrics delivering previously unknown information about either their workout or their game.

Nike, Inc. President & CEO Mark Parker unveiled the new NIKE+ technology at an event in New York.

“Nike+ allows us to connect the physical world of sport with the social elements of digital to create a better sport experience for every athlete,” said Parker. “It’s about much more than a shoe. It represents a shift for Nike from product, to product + experiences.”

Nike+ Basketball measures activity via the ‘Track My Game’ mode. It tracks information on every movement during the game and delivers back information to the user, giving them a basis from which to improve. Messages from Nike Basketball players and coaches provide motivation when goals are reached. The experience also offers ‘Showcase’ mode, a feature that allows players to record a dunk and superimpose their live data on the video, which can then be shared with their friends via social media.

“I think Nike+ Basketball will change the game,” said LeBron James. “Giving every player access to this level of information will have a huge impact on the way players train and play the game.”

“When you’re growing up and playing the game of basketball, your friends are your competition,” said James. “Young players will be excited to track their stats to earn bragging rights or showcase their best plays on video. They’ll be anxious to get back out on the court to improve their stats.”

The first Nike+ enabled Basketball shoe will be the Nike Hyperdunk+ which will be worn by LeBron James this summer.

The shoe that features the new Nike+ technology is part of the Lunarlon collection, which combines advanced Nike Flywire technology with a sports specific Nike Lunarlon cushioning system.

All styles of the Nike+ enabled footwear will be available and at retail June 29, 2012, in the UK.

Will you be copping a pair?!

Check out this touching feature from American news channel KMVT on the late Mantia Callender, a former England International who passed away in November last year, and has recently had a basketball court named after him. An inspirational tribute to a man who obviously touched so many. Click the image or here to view.

I gotta say, this is probably the best Top 10 I’ve ever seen…Hoopmixtape bring it with a ton of crazy players including Gabe York catching a huge lob over his defender, Shaquille Johnson getting his head over the rim and Aquille Carr showing some nice handle! CRAZY! Other looks at Shaquille and Gabes’ crazy dunks below:

Is this the best top 10 ever?!

A lot has been going down in New York today, as Nike unveils a ton of new ranges for the summer – one of those was the new Nike Hyperdunk featuring Lunarlon Technology; a shoe LeBron James will be rocking at the Olympics this summer.

Elevating basketball performance to the next level, the Hyperdunk is part of the landmark Nike Lunarlon Collection. An innovative combination of advanced Nike Flywire technology and a basketball-specific Nike Lunarlon cushioning system, this light, more supportive, durable and breathable shoe is expressly designed to meet the demands of elite basketball players worldwide.

The upper of the Nike Hyperdunk features the most advanced version of Nike Flywire, which uses high-strength cables for support and stability. These responsive cables are loose when at rest and dynamic in motion, tensing to help stabilize the foot. A synthetic heel clip enhances lockdown, as the engineered foam and mesh of the upper reduces weight while further increasing breathability, strength and durability. Simultaneously, the collar of the shoe wraps lower in the back and higher over the front, increasing flexibility and lateral stability in the heel and ankle. The open mesh tongue and full inner sleeve provide lightweight ventilation and a more secure, comfortable fit.

Midsole, basketball-specific Lunarlon foam cushioning supplies a soft, yet responsive foundation. Improving upon past models, there is additional foam in key areas, enhancing lateral stability and durability. A 3-D shaped, glass-reinforced, composite mid-foot shank offers torsional rigidity and responsiveness. Moving to the outsole, solid rubber provides durability and traction on a variety of surfaces while a modified traction pattern and forefoot pivot circle enhance multi-direction grip. Moreover, a high-wrapping lateral outrigger provides reinforcement for hard cuts, providing players with the support they need for high performance.

Check out the LeBron James’ colourway, courtesy of a Nike tweet, that he’ll be rocking at London 2012 below:

Still trying to find out if they will be stocked in the UK anywhere, but you will be the first to know as soon as we find out!

Manchester Magic took the 2012 Under-18 National Cup after rolling past Reading Rockets Academy 77-57 in the final on Sunday at the Amaechi Centre, Manchester.

The result never looked in doubt as Manchester controlled the game from start to finish behind an MVP performance from Jack Crook, who finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds on 10/15 shooting.

The lone bright spot for Reading was Durrell Charles, who went 9/14 from the field for his 24 points, adding 3 steals and 3 assists, as rising young star Luke Nelson (1995 born) struggled to get going, finishing with 13 points on 5/20 shooting.

Full stats, play by play and box score can be found here.

Notes

• This 20 point victory was the closest result Manchester have had in their cup run. Including the final, their margin of victory in each of their 6 games has been an average of 36 points!
• Luke Nelson picked up two quick fouls and was stuck on the bench for a large portion of the first half. Ended up getting visibly frustrated with the referees after a series of no-calls; Reading stood little chance without a big game from him.
• Durrell Charles played big for Reading, scoring on a number of tough drives to the basket.
• Manchester are just too deep for teams to compete with. Nine of their 12 players got on the scoresheet (9/10 who actually played), with Tom Devitt doing a good job running the point whilst Jack Crook dominated inside.

Did you get to the Amaechi Centre? Thoughts?

Newham All-Star Sports Academy (NASSA) were crowned the 2012 Under-16 National Cup winners after beating Birmingham A’s 73-61 on Sunday, at the Amaechi Centre, Manchester.

NASSA were too much for Birmingham, who did well to hang close after fielding only six players, remaining in control throughout as they led from start to finish.

Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye was named MVP after finished with 28 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks on 10/18 shooting, whilst England Under-16 teammate Joe Mvuezolo added 23.

Theo Oghide led Birmingham with a dominant performance on the glass as he hauled in 18 boards, 12 of them offensive, along with 19 points. Sedale Hanson Young added 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals.

Box score is here.

Notes

• There were no less than six England Under-16 players in the game, with NASSA fielding four: Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye, Joe Mvuezolo, Myles Laurent-Smart and Kwame Yeboah and Birmingham two; Sedale Hanson-Young and Theo Oghide.
• Oghide, a 6’6″, well built athletic forward dominated the glass from start to finish, really going after it. Offensively he’s still raw (7/20 from the field) but showed a nice jump hook at times.
• Birmingham were always going to have a challenge with only 6 players, and after Cameron McPherson fouled out in the third they pretty much had their backs against the wall.
• Despite Myles Laurent-Smart not having mind blowing numbers offensively (11 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal on 3/11 shooting), he did a good job running the team (played all 40 minutes) and played great defense, holding fellow England U16 point guard Sedale Hanson-Young to 15 points on 6/22 shooting and helping force him into 9 turnovers.
• Lautier-Ogunleye deserved MVP having a nice all around game, with long armed athletic Joe Mvuezolo (who had the three highlights of the game if you haven’t seen them already) adding some nice offensive firepower to NASSA’s arsenal.

Did you watch the game? Thoughts?

Pops Mensah-Bonsu won his first piece of silverware of the year this weekend, winning the Turkish Cup after Besiktas beat Banvit 78-74 in the final.

Mensah-Bonsu finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds on 4/8 shooting to help Besiktas to the title, after having posted a huge 18 point-19 rebound double-double in the semifinals of the tournament.

The Turkish Cup victory caps Mensah-Bonsu’s return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for six months last year, and relegated the GB star to the sidelines for the 2011 Eurobasket in Lithuania.

A jubilant Pops tweeted afterward:

I just want to thank GOD for everything he has done for me, this last year has been difficult but my faith was strong and always believed!!!

— pops mensah-bonsu (@PopsMBonsu) February 18, 2012

Box score can be found here.

Check out 1996 born Joe Mvuezolo getting three throw downs, including a nasty fast break and-1, in the 2012 National Cup Final today for NASSA!

Mvuezolo is currently in the England Under-16 squad…definitely one to watch.

This kid went IN! SNM.

A dejected Joel Freeland spoke with reporters after Unicaja’s loss to Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey yesterday, revealing no decision has been made on his future as yet.

Asked about the reports of him coming to an agreement with Malaga he responded:

“We’ve always been talking from day one. But we haven’t come to an agreement at this point. We’ve been talking from almost the beginning of the season about renewing the contract but I haven’t signed or verbally stated anything thing yet.”

Freeland was then asked if there is anything Portland can do to change his mind to get him in uniform next year, to which he replied:

“I never said that I didn’t want to be there. I never said that. I’ve always had an open mindset, if the situation is right and I feel like I’m ready I’ll make that step obviously. But I’m here and I’m only focusing on my team at the moment and the things I’m doing with my team so all of that is going to be discussed in the summer so I’ll wait and see.”

Freeland had 8 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Thanks to Euroleague Adventures for the vid.