UNC’s Caleb Love says goodbye to Jordan 11 shoes he wore during Tar Heels’ Final Four run

North Carolina junior guard Caleb Love played his entire sophomore season in different iterations of the Air Jordan 11 shoes.

He wore the “Concords” when his three late 3-pointers fought off Syracuse in the Tar Heels’ home regular season finale, finishing with 21 points.

He rocked the all black “Cap and gowns” when he scored 22 points as the Tar Heels spoiled Mike Krzyzewski’s final home game at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Then he famously changed shoes at halftime after scoring just three points in first half of Carolina’s NCAA tournament Sweet 16 against UCLA. Love changed into the all Carolina blue “Pantones” and erupted for 27 points in the second half to lead the Heels to victory.

The final portrait of Love from last season was him rising in those same Pantones for the potential game-tying 3-point shot at the buzzer against Kansas in the national title game. As it turns out, that was the final snapshot period of Love in his beloved 11s.

“M.J. said I can’t (wear them) anymore,” said Love, who didn’t actually speak directly to Michael Jordan. “So I’ve moved on. They all at the crib now. We’re gonna make it work, though. I got some shoes in the closet that I can bring up that’s going to represent me.”

The iconic Jordan 11s with the shiny, patent leather and translucent outsole were first released in 1995. Jordan Brand now prefers its newer shoes be worn on the court.

Love wore all white Jordan XXXVI shoes — last year’s shoe from Jordan’s signature line — in Carolina’s exhibition win last Friday over Johnson C. Smith University.

The 11s are gone, but not forgotten, especially after Love planted his foot and pivoted to drive to the basket early in the first half against the Bulls during last week’s exhibition game. As he exploded forward, his right shoe, ejected like a parachute, flying off his foot.

Love’s mind immediately wandered to two things as he stomped his foot back into the shoe.

“I just thought about the 11s, I thought about (Eric) Hoots,” Love said. “I’m like, man, this is crazy.”

Eric Hoots, UNC’s director of basketball operations, was the one who suggested with just a look and a nod that Love change shoes at halftime of the Tar Heels’ Sweet 16 game. Hoots is also in contact with the Jordan Brand representative who works with UNC basketball to ensure the Tar Heels get the team shoes they request.

Carolina is one of the first teams to have access to Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic’s new signature shoe, the Luka 1, that is made by Jordan Brand. Some of Love’s teammates have already made the transition to wearing them.

The good thing for the Heels is Love is not the superstitious type. He didn’t wear the 11s as a freshman. And his first game as a junior without the 11s, albeit an exhibition, he scored 20 points on 50 percent shooting from the floor — including four 3-pointers — and led the team with eight assists.

“He’ll have a lot of cool shoes this year so just stay tuned,” senior forward Armando Bacot said. “He’s got a lot of heat in his locker that people haven’t seen, so just get ready.”