By Joseph Sykes | Sports Editor
In order to feel good, you have to look good, and the Duquesne men’s basketball team knows that. To prove it, the team revealed some slick new threads in honor of the club’s 100th season on the Bluff.
According to the players, they originally found out that they would be getting new kits at the end of last season. They had the chance to select different styles they liked and knew they would at least get one brand new look. However, what they didn’t know was that they would be receiving four new sets to rock for the upcoming campaign.
“I first found out that we were getting different uniforms last year,” senior point guard Micah Mason said. “I got a glimpse at the tops one day when one of the managers was in the locker room, but I was surprised to see four new jerseys.”
No two uniforms are identical in the least, as they all seem to focus on a different decade of basketball fashion. The squad’s new red jerseys bare resemblance to the current Chicago Bulls with their bi-colored fray and rainbow-style lettering across the chest. While they may look as if they belong to an NBA team, the jerseys are actually based on Duquesne’s 1950s basketball uniforms.
A grey set takes the team back to the ’90s with a design inspired by the now-defunct Seattle Supersonics, while their new white kits bring back the ’70s block lettering giving it a funky feel.
Finally there are the new blue uniforms. These are reminiscent of early 2000s NBA jerseys, which had a simple, toned-down look. In fact, the team’s official Instagram page says they were inspired by the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
Senior guard Jeremiah Jones had the opportunity to model the grey uniform, but it was not necessarily his favorite.
“My initial reaction when I saw them was excitement,” Jones said. “I like to look good on top of playing well. My favorite is probably the white throwback we have that says ‘Dukes’ on it. I like that retro look.”
Sophomore forward Marshall Macheledt had to wait until August to find out about the team’s new uniforms. Despite having to wait, he can’t wait to start the 2015-16 season.
“Before the Ireland trip, there was an event that the basketball team held for alumni and season ticket holders and there was a little presentation for the 100 years of Duquesne basketball which said there would be retro jerseys for the season,” Macheledt said. “I was very ecstatic and psyched to get them.”
Macheledt and Mason seem to have similar tastes. They both are eager to throw on the grey alternates this November.
“It’s a tough one, but I’m probably going to go with the grey ones. Those are really cool,” Macheledt said.
“My favorite is either the away blue jersey or the grey jersey,” Mason said. “I’m really excited to have a couple new looks this year for our 100th anniversary of Duquesne basketball.”
The Dukes open up their 2015-16 season against Seton Hall at the A.J. Palumbo Center November 13.
