Michael Jordan’s ‘University Blue’ Air Jordan 11 Lows to Return for the First Time in Almost a Decade

It’s been nearly a full decade since Jordan Brand issued the low-top Air Jordan 11 in UNC colors, but the University Blue of Michael Jordan’s alma mater will soon grace the model again — just in time for warmer weather.

Official product images of the 2026 Air Jordan 11 Retro Low UNC have surfaced from JD Sports UK. The new shots reveal that the upcoming reissue will be a near one-to-one of the style’s previous 2017 iteration. Details including the white leather upper, light blue patent leather mudguard and icy rubber outsole are all intact, as is the two-tone black-and-Carolina blue carbon fiber shank. However, the pair does feature a small change which serves as a nod to the model’s original 1996 run: the insole features Nike Air branding instead of a Jumpman.

The UNC-themed Air Jordan 11 Low wasn’t an original colorway, but instead made its debut in 2001, then known as White/Columbia Blue. In ’01, it was released alongside other low-top Air Jordan 11 styles including White/Varsity Red, women’s White/Metallic Silver and White/Citrus, as well as White/Black/Navy and White/Black/Pink snakeskin looks.

While the Air Jordan 11 may not hold quite the same level of hype as it did in the 2010s, the model remains one of Nike, Inc.’s top sellers. Its holiday launches were often cited in Nike’s earnings reports and most recently, 2025’s Gamma drop was touted as having the second-biggest release day ever on resale platform StockX.

With a look befitting of springtime, the Air Jordan 11 Retro Low University Blue will arrive in full-family sizing on April 18 from Nike’s Snkrs app and select Jordan Brand retailers globally. The sneaker’s full colorway is White/University Blue/Black and its men’s style code is FV5104-100. Retail pricing is $190.