The guys over at Shoe York have released images of a very rare Air Jordan XX3 Wear Test Sample. The Air Jordan XX3 is the last Air Jordan in the numbered series, and therefore is very monumental. The process of making that sneaker took some time, and we have images of an early version. Many features are almost identical to the retail version, such as the midsole and the heel flap. Which version of the XX3 do you prefer?

The time as finally come for the Air Jordan XX3 (23) to take its seat amongst some of the greatest sneakers of all time.

Jordan Brand began releasing the Air Jordan XX3 on January 25, 2009 with the extremely limited and sought after Premier White / Titanium – University Blue colorway which can now be bought for upwards of $1,500. In order to end the installment of Air Jordan 23 releases, Jordan Brand will once again release a colorway which will only be available at 23 stores across the U.S. and each store will only have 23 pairs. Jordan Brand’s official website, Air Jordan Flight Club, is also set to have an extremely limited amount of pairs available on the release date, December 23, 2008.

This brings the grand total to only 529 pairs of the Air Jordan XX3 (23) Premier – Black / Varsity Red being released. Featuring the black and varsity red colorway to commemorate Jordan’s success with the Chicago Bulls, this pair is a great way to say farewell to the year long installment of Air Jordan XX3 releases. Getting your hands on a pair of these will most definitely prove to be a difficult task, but we’re here to help. Below, you can check out the official list of the 23 stores that will be receiving the Air Jordan XX3 (23) Premier – Black / Varsity Red. If you’re interested, we would advise you to find your way to one of the twenty-three locations as soon as possible because we guarantee you that there will be long lines and other sneakerheads wanting these as much as you do.

Pictures via Millenium.

Air Jordan XX3 Premier (Limited Release To Top 23 Jordan Brand Stores In The US)
Release Date: 12/23/2008
Style: 318474-061
Colorway: Black/Varsity Red (23 pairs per store; 529 total)
Retail Price: $230.00



City Gear (6215 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38115)
Footlocker (120 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001)
Champs Sports (5 Times Square, New York, NY 10036)
Footaction (430 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001)
Finishline (294 Fox Hills Mall, Culver City, CA 90230)
Aficionado (730 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60624)
The Shoe Gallery (244 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33132)
Millennium Shoes (1810 West Slauson Ave #A, Los Angeles, CA 90047)
Walter’s (66 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
Sheikh Shoes (929 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103)
Undefeated (112 1/2 S La Brea Ave, Los Angelas, CA 90036)
Sneakervilla (1231 N Broad Street, Philly, PA 19122)
Expressions (486 Washington Street, Boston, MA 2111)
NBA Store (666 5th Ave, New York, NY 10103)
DTLR (Columbia Mall, 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044)
Moe’s Sneaker Spot (8902 165th Street #B13 Jamaica, NY 11432)
Jimmy Jazz (224 E. Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY 10458)
Niketown (669 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611)
Active Athlete (9248 Cullen Blvd #A, Houston, TX 77051)
HoH (268 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027)
HoH (North Riverside Park Mall, 7500 W Cermak Rd, Riverside, IL 60546)
HoH (Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048)
Air Jordan Flight Club (www.airjordanflightclub.com)

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As Chris Paul emerges as one of the top point guards in the world, Jordan Brand will help build on his success by releasing the Air Jordan CP3 II in 2009. This sneaker seems to be inspired by the Air Jordan 23 (XXIII); most noticeably, the CP3 II borrows a stitching pattern on the side that is reminiscent of the Air Jordan 23. Built for one of the flashiest point guards in the NBA, this pair provides padded ankle support while keeping the cut low enough to allow for fluid motion on the basketball court. Paying tribute to Chris Paul’s New Orleans Hornets, the sneakers shown above also flaunts a New Orleans inspired graphic starting from right above the heel leading to the top the ankle support. The energy stitching and gold accents throughout this pair also correlate with the Hornets team colors. The CP3 II will be available for all of Chris Paul’s loyal fans on March 3, 2009 for $122. Check out the other colorway set to debut alongside this pair after the jump.

This edition of “On Court” features a key matchup between Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony. No, we’re not discussing which is the better athlete, but rather who looked better in regard to sneakers when the New Orleans Hornets faced off against the Denver Nuggets on Thanksgiving Day. Chris Paul stepped onto the courts with an Air Jordan XX3 Player Exclusive very similar to the Air Jordan XX3 inspired by the University of North Carolina which was released on November 28, 2008.  On the other side of the court, Carmelo Anthony was seen wearing a player exclusive colorway of the Air Jordan Melo M5, Carmelo’s newest signature sneaker. This colorway will most likely not be released to the public and will stay in Anthony’s personal sneaker vault. As for the game, the Hornets beat the Nuggets with a final score of 105 to 101, but Anthony outscored Paul 24 to 22.  More pictures of the two pairs can be seen after the jump. Pictures via Yahoo Sports.

Who do you think had the better sneakers? Chris Paul or Carmelo Anthony? Drop a comment and let us know what you think!

Completing the trio of the Air Jordan XX3 (23) releasing on November 28th is this model devoted to Michael Jordan’s college, the University of North Carolina. The XX3 is made up of the usual combination black, university blue and white. The two other models hitting stores on the 28th include the Chicago Bulls and Jordan Motorsports Air Jordan XX3, a day that will offer a variety of styles representing Michael Jordan’s past and present. Pre-order your size today at City Sole.

Air Jordan XX3 (Limited Release)
Release Date 11/28/2008
Style Number 318376-041
Colorway Black/University Blue-White
Retail Price $185.00

This month will see the release of three Air Jordan XX3 (23) based off important aspects of Michael Jordan’s life (foreshadowing Air Jordan 2009 release themes and surprises). The Chicago Bulls Air Jordan XX3 is combined of black, Varsity-Red, and white. Color schemes of white, black, and varsity-red rocked and rolled Michael Jordan and the Bulls to six rings. The University of North Carolina (UNC) Air Jordan XX3 and Air Jordan XX3 (23) Motorsports will release with the Chicago Bulls colorway on November 28th. Pre-orders now available at City Sole.

Air Jordan XX3 (Limited Release)
Release Date 11/28/2008
Style Number 318376-061
Colorway Black/Varsity Red-White
Retail Price $185.00