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Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga donning special Nike uniforms at PK80

Gonzaga’s PK80 uniform features a unique a zig-zag pattern that runs down the right side of the uniform, with an oversized Bulldog logo on the left leg. (Nike)
Gonzaga’s PK80 uniform features a unique a zig-zag pattern that runs down the right side of the uniform, with an oversized Bulldog logo on the left leg. (Nike)
By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

The PK80 tournament next week in Portland honors Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s 80th birthday and Gonzaga and 15 other participating teams will be outfitted accordingly.

Nike is rolling out custom uniforms and footwear for the teams inspired by Knight’s penchant for all-black outfits and sunglasses.

Gonzaga’s special-edition uniforms will include a unique zig-zag pattern running down the right side of the uniform with an oversized Bulldog logo on the left leg.

Signature icons – arena, mascot and pattern – will be incorporated into each respective program’s uniforms. The jerseys and shorts create a striking on-court dynamic: color versus color matchups, according to Nike.

Players will be wearing all-black makeups of the Kyrie 3, PG1, Kobe AD and KD10. North Carolina, the tournament’s lone Jordan Brand program, will wear a PK80 version of the Jordan 32 and Super.Fly 2017.

Gonzaga’s uniform appears to be black in the photo released by Nike. Some Zag faithful aren’t fans of GU wearing black unis, citing the team’s 32-11 record since the alternate jerseys debuted in 2009 and their loss to North Carolina in the NCAA title game last year.

The 17th-ranked Zags (2-0) open against Ohio State at 9 p.m. Thursday at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Gonzaga will take on Florida or Stanford in the second round Friday at the Moda Center. The tournament concludes on Sunday.

The 16 participating teams competing in two separate brackets account for 391 NCAA Tournament bids, 89 Final Four appearances and 23 national chamipionships. The field includes defending national champion North Carolina, Gonzaga and Oregon – three-fourths of last year’s Final Four.