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Big Blue Nation Celebrates 30 Years in Style with the Exclusive Launch of the Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

Sports Lifestyle

Big Blue Nation Celebrates 30 Years in Style with the Exclusive Launch of the Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

Feb 17, 2026

Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

On February 7, 2026, Lexington became the center of basketball culture as Hibbett and Nike partnered to give Big Blue Nation something truly unforgettable, the exclusive early debut of the Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim.”

 

More than just a shoe release, this was a celebration of legacy marking the 30th anniversary of Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA Championship team and the unforgettable denim uniforms that defined an era of University of Kentucky basketball.

 

The 1996 championship team holds a permanent place in Kentucky history. Thirty years later, that championship DNA inspired a one-of-a-kind sneaker that blends past and present.

Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

The Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim” pays homage to Devin Booker and his Wildcat legacy with a bold blue denim colorway, Wildcat graphics, and “Book” stamped proudly on the heel. The design nods directly to the iconic denim uniforms that helped define Kentucky’s championship culture.

 

By tying Booker’s modern NBA stardom to Kentucky’s historic 1996 title run, the release felt like a full-circle moment for fans  honoring tradition while celebrating one of the program’s most celebrated alumni.

Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

In true Kentucky fashion, Big Blue Nation got first dibs.

 

Only 1,440 pairs were made available for one day only, exclusively in Lexington, nearly a month ahead of the national March retail launch. The limited drop created undeniable energy across the city ahead of the UK vs. Tennessee tip-off at historic Rupp Arena.

Nike Book 2 “Must Be The Denim”

The launch was anchored by “The Book 2 Fair,” an immersive pop-up experience that transformed the space into a full denim takeover.

 

The event blended archival school newspapers and historic visuals, interactive photo moments celebrating Kentucky basketball, a nostalgic tribute to the 1996 championship era, exclusive gift-with-purchase denim notebooks and custom Book 2 swag giveaways.

 

Men’s and Women’s Wildcat Basketball teams, along with members of the 30th Anniversary Alumni Team, were outfitted in the Nike Book 2 reinforcing that this wasn’t just about footwear. It was about pride, history, and shared identity.

“At Hibbett, we live for moments that bring sports, culture, and community together,” shared Stephani Smith, Chief Merchant at Hibbett.

And that’s exactly what February 7 delivered. For one day, Lexington stepped into history and into a pair of sneakers that will forever represent it.

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