More than ten years ago, Russell Westbrook inked a deal with Jordan Brand, promptly emerging as one of the prominent figures of the Jumpman during the rise of the social media era. His influence was immediate as enthusiasts worldwide were captivated by his forceful, almost aggressive dunks, but he’s carved out a reputation for himself as the ultimate versatile player in NBA history.

He’s no longer the triple-double machine and perennial All-Star that he once was, but that’s because he has willingly and rather gracefully embraced a supporting role as he yields to perhaps the most star-studded lineup he’s ever been on in his career. Nevertheless, he holds crucial minutes for a team eyeing the NBA Finals, averaging 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists – a stat-line that will put him in the mix for the 2024 NBA Sixth Man Of The Year discussions.

Despite joining Jordan Brand in late 2012, he didn’t receive his initial signature shoe until early 2018. Instead of adopting the conventional approach of initials/lastname along with the shoe number, he and Jordan Brand explored a more imaginative path, highlighting his personal motto of “Why Not” to establish a motivational storyline. Later in 2020, an alternative signature shoe line was introduced, providing a lower-priced choice for his supporters.

Image: Air Jordan’s

The Jordan Westbrook One Take series made its debut in 2020 and has given rise to a total of four models — one for each year. The shoes are significantly more understated and restrained than the primary Why Not signature series, which at times took too many risks that admittedly did not resonate with consumers. The One Take, with its fore-foot Zoom cushion package and $100 price-tag, seemed much more appealing. The fifth model, the One Take 5, might be his top signature shoe yet.

Exposed here via Nike official images is the One Take 5 in two colorways that do not deviate from the classic Jumpman aesthetic. Black/Red or White/Red are the two alternatives for now, but be assured there will be nearly a dozen to select from by the time the One Take 6 arrives in late 2024/early 2025. It possesses a hint of that AJ1/Dunk DNA via the toe-guard and heel construction, but with enough of that evident Westbrook flair via the exposed stitch marks, the saw-tooth accent at the toe, and the acknowledgment of his wife and children on the heel.

From a performance perspective, the One Take 5 features an exposed mid-foot plate (a detail we haven’t seen since the One Take 2), while Zoom sits at the fore-foot. The midsole pays homage to the Jumpman through the small logo, while the tongue opts for that old-school Nike approach with the smaller logo.

Currently, the Jordan One Take 5 is obtainable in select size options globally; a U.S. release is likely arriving in early 2024.