Converse's Breaking Down Barriers Honours the Athletes Who Broke the NBA's Colour Barrier

These Pro Leather and Chuck 70s styles celebrate the careers of Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton and Earl Lloyd who were the first three African Americans to break the NBA colour barrier in 1950.

The sneakers feature premium materials and product details that pay homage to the players and the franchise that changed the game forever.

Each of the three athletes is honoured in the Breaking Down Barriers collection by limited colorways of the Chuck Taylor, the first performance hoops shoe, connected to their respective first teams — the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Washington Capitols — as well as limited colorways of the recently re-introduced Converse Pro Leather representing the Knicks, Celtics and Pistons.