Jabbar
The adidas Jabbar is a basketball shoe named after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, introduced in 1971 as his first signature shoe with adidas. Today the Jabbar is back as a low-profile retro sneaker with a suede toe cap and a clean shape. It appeals to women and men who like a vintage court look without a chunky sole.
The history of the adidas Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players in NBA history: he won six championships and held the league’s all-time scoring record for decades. According to adidas, the 1971 Jabbar was designed for both the court and the street. The original had a leather build with a reinforced toe.
adidas has since brought the model back in its Originals range as a low and a high-top version. In 2025 the shoe also became a tribute to Bruce Lee: in the 1978 film Game of Death, Abdul-Jabbar was Lee’s opponent in a famous fight scene.
Design and materials
The Jabbar Lo has a leather or suede upper with the three stripes on the side and a suede toe cap, a detail taken from the original. Underneath sits a flat rubber cupsole that keeps the shoe close to the ground. The Jabbar Hi uses the same design in a high-top version that covers the ankle.
Compared with modern basketball shoes, the Jabbar has little cushioning. It is a lifestyle sneaker with a 1970s profile, made for everyday wear rather than for playing.
Popular adidas Jabbar colorways
Besides the Bruce Lee edition, mainly calm off-white versions with one accent colour are in demand. These pairs get the most views on WOOVIN:
- Jabbar Low ‘Bruce Lee Game of Death’: yellow suede with black leather accents, inspired by Lee’s outfit in the film, with his signature on the heel.
- Jabbar Low ‘Green’: the low model in green.
- Jabbar Lo ‘Off White Violet’: off-white with violet details.
- Jabbar Lo ‘Aurora Plum Off White’: off-white with deep plum accents.
- Jabbar Hi ‘White Black’: the high-top version in white with black.
What is the difference between the Jabbar and the Superstar?
Both are adidas basketball shoes from the same era, but the toe sets them apart. The adidas Superstar has the famous rubber shell toe, while the Jabbar has a suede toe cap and looks softer as a result. Looking for another old basketball model with plenty of suede? Then also take a look at the adidas Campus.
How does the adidas Jabbar fit?
adidas describes the Jabbar Lo as a regular fit that is true to size, so you can order your usual adidas size. The leather and suede give only a little, so with wide feet half a size up can feel more comfortable. Narrow feet are best off in their normal size, so the heel does not slip.
Buy the adidas Jabbar at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find the Jabbar Lo and Low in calm off-white versions and the eye-catching Bruce Lee edition, plus the Jabbar Hi. Want a sneaker that goes with everything? Choose an off-white pair. Fans of the film or of Abdul-Jabbar himself will want to look at the yellow Game of Death version.
