The Nike Zoom Hyperflight “Varsity Purple” will soon reintroduce one of Nike’s earliest—and wildest—designs. Hyperflights were originally released in 2001, and helped kick off Nike Basketball’s future-forward, seamless era. The original featured a wraparound sole, a sock-like silhouette, and an almost helmet-like upper, and was amped up by Jason Williams.
The Sacramento Kings guard, known as “White Chocolate” for his flashy demeanor and fearless playstyle, originally swooped down in a Hyperflight Player Exclusive during his time with the team. That PE featured purple mirror-finish uppers, and has since developed cult status among sneakerheads and fans of early 2000s Nikes. It remains to be seen whether or not the retail model will be a direct copy of the player edition (fans are hoping for subtle touches like “JWILL” stitched on the heel or his No. 55 on the tongue), but that’s just the kind of story that makes retro drops work.
The Hyperflight’s comeback also plays into Nike Basketball’s present. The G.T. Future, a high-performance model that launches Holiday 2025, is essentially a Hyperflight on steroids. The shared silhouette, which is engineered for aerodynamics, shows how Nike has mined its Y2K basketball archive in service of its current performance line. Hyperflights have never been quite as retro heavyweights as, say, the Foamposite One. But a Hyperflight original still has major fans, and this highly anticipated drop should satisfy them.
Nike Zoom Hyperflight Varsity Purple Release Date
The Nike Zoom Hyperflight “Varsity Purple” is set to release Spring 2026 at select Nike Basketball retailers and Nike.com with a retail price of $170 USD.
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Nike Zoom Hyperflight “Jason Williams”
Color: Varsity Purple/White/Black
Style Code: IV5678-500
Release Date: Spring 2026
Price: $170
Source: brandon1an
