Hi all, welcome back to the site. Always happy and grateful for our readers. We love a retro shoe to get shine in today̵7;s world of sneakers. The 90s were an attitude filled era in terms of basketball and this particular silhouette is a testament to that. It surely packs a punch and will catch some eyes on feet. The Reebok Kamikaze II “Black/White” will release via the Reebok webstore on Friday June 25, and is priced at $130 USD. As a reminder, here at SFS is the best place to gain valuable info about reselling and updates on all sneaker and streetwear releases. If you want to stay up to date on all your sneaker and streetwear releases and resale strategies be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Our timely articles and guides will be in your inbox if you forget to check up on the site. Feel free to skip to Release Info and Conclusion now to get the need to know details for this release. 

A Closer Look

Big, bold, bulky and branded was the name of the game for basketball footwear in the mid-’90s, and one of the finest examples of this overarching ethos is Reebok‘s Kamikaze II. Created for high-octane Seattle SuperSonics power forward Shawn Kemp and debuted in 1995, the Kamikaze II’s jagged design lines and ultra-high cut made it just as compelling as the aerial acrobatics of the man that wore it on NBA courts. Now, to celebrate its 25th anniversary it’s returned in an OG “Black/White” colorway. Uppers are crafted from a soft tumbled black nubuck base and smooth white leather overlays. Signature detail is provided by the sharply rising and falling overlays, which are reminiscent of crashing waves or rising and falling radio static. This visceral detail is hammered home even further by the stark contrast of the black and white tones. Branding is handled by Vector logos on the forefoot and heel, with a combination Vector-and-text graphic placed on the tongue. Down below, the EVA foam midsole uses the same jagged shapes and powerful colorblocking as the upper. Reebok’s signature DMX cushioning is encased in the midsole to offer a finishing dash of comfort. Take a look below.

Reebok’s History

Reebok has had a serious history when it comes to basketball. I spoke a little about this recently when discussing the Reebok x SNEEZE Club C coming up. If you haven’t already, definitely check out that blog. The catalog for Reebok specifically in basketball has been quite memorable. Older heads may have a fonder memory of these sneakers and have a closer attachment. Allen Iverson first released the “Question” which had massive success. Then came the “Answer”. From there he traded off making 3 Questions and 9 Answers. Shaquille O’Neal’s “Shaqnosis” was also a big part of the Reebok team. Even of recent, the Shaqnosis as well as various AI shoes have had their fair share of rereleases.

Of course we would be remiss to not talk about Shawn Kemp. As previously mentioned, the Reebok Kemp line debuted in 1995 to match the rise of the dominating force that was Seattle Supersonics power forward “The Reignman”, Shawn Kemp. Dubbed the Reebok Kamikaze, Kemp’s first signature sneakers matched Kemp’s agressive style with colorways that linked back to his Seattle team. Kemp had two Kamikaze models, three Reignman models, and a Shroud signature model. With all this time off from the NBA, it’d be an opportune moment to revisit some old highlights from Mr. Kemp as well as other classic baller memories. And there’s your history lesson for the day, hope you enjoyed.

Resale Anticipation

This is a breath of fresh air in the sneaker community. While it may not be in everyone’s style to wear an old school shoe like this, there will most likely be a little markup in its beginning for reselling. It’s tough to gauge since these Kamikazes haven’t released since 2013 but those particular pairs go for a decent premium over retail. Considering the site list and retailers, there will most likely be a large amount of pairs that flood the market. I think there could be room for a small flip but I would tread lightly on these if you’re banking on a huge payoff.

Release Info and Conclusion

RELEASE DATE: Friday June 25th, 2020 at 10AM RETAIL PRICE: $130 AVERAGE RESALE VALUE: $145 RETAIL POINTS: Select retailers below:

After the release be sure to check up on the usual suspects for the secondary market – StockX, Goat, Grailed, eBay, and Reddit. Or even check the retailers site to see if they drop in price. If you’re new to reselling, this blog has everything you need and more, including the Hypemaster Playbook that is an all-in-one package to begin sneaker reselling. The SFS Cook Group is also expanding more and more also. Get in now for the best insider info on sneakers and streetwear. Before you go, check out the list of hot shoes to resell in June – we make lists like this every month! Even if something has already released, it still could be a good time to invest in it considering it could still increase in value over time. Check out our Twitter and Instagram too, we have an awesome community of followers. If you want somewhere to get info and chat about making money in the sneaker and streetwear resale business, it’s worth a look! How do we feel about the Reebok Kamikaze II? What are some of your other favorite classic basketball sneakers? Thank you all, have a powerful week.  – Erik