A Converse está, neste momento, a tirar a nova coleção do forno para o lançamento de amanhã, a Converse‘s Breaking Down Barriers collection. A coleção foi desenvolvida em homenagem aos três ícones do basketball americano: Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd e Nat Clifton. Nesta semana, a Converse publicou uma série de posts a contar a história destes grandes atletas. Vejam em baixo.

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Earl Lloyd became the first African American to play in the NBA, suiting up for the short-lived Washington Capitols. His career spanned three franchises, highlighted by an NBA title run with the Syracuse Nationals in 1955, and finished off with the Detroit Pistons. Introducing Breaking Down Barriers, a new NBA Hardwood Classics collection that shines a spotlight on the first three African American basketball players to break the color barrier. Available January 23 on Converse.com & House of Hoops. #BeTheFirst @conversehoops

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On April 25, 1950, Charles “Chuck” Cooper broke the NBA’s color barrier when the Boston Celtics selected him with the 13 overall pick of the NBA draft. He played four years in Boston and finished his professional career in 1956 with the Fort Wayne Pistons, helping the team win the Western Division and advance to the NBA Finals. Introducing Breaking Down Barriers, a new NBA Hardwood Classics collection that shines a spotlight on three African American players who changed the face of basketball. Available January 23 on Converse.com & House of Hoops. #BeTheFirst @conversehoops

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Nat Clifton was the first African American player to sign an NBA contract with the New York Knickerbockers. He helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals during his rookie year, and in 1957, at age 34, was named an NBA All Star. His final NBA season, 1957-58, was played in Detroit. Introducing Breaking Down Barriers, a new NBA Hardwood Classics collection that shines a spotlight on the first three African American basketball players to break the color barrier. Available January 23 on Converse.com & House of Hoops. #BeTheFirst @conversehoops

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Cada um destes atletas será homenageado com duas versões de edição limitada do Chuck Taylor. Os ténis incorporam as cores de cada equipa em que os jogadores participaram: New York Knicks, Boston Celtics e Washington Capitols ,sendo uma das versões em cabedal e a outra versão em suede.

A Converse‘s Breaking Down Barriers collection será lançada amanhã, dia 23 de janeiro, na loja on-line da Converse. A cada compra a Converse fará doações para as associações de cada jogador. São:

Nat Clifton – American Heart Association
Chuck Cooper – The Chuck Cooper Foundation, a non-profit organization
Earl Lloyd – Earl Lloyd Foundation, a non-profit organization