Launch Date: 5/19/2012

Air Jordan 12 Retro
Cool Grey/White-Team Orange
Men: 130690-012 $160
GS: 153265-012 $110
PS: 151186-012 $70
TD: 850000-012 $50
GP: 378139-012 $42

And don’t forget to pick up the right hookups for this shoe! Retro XII Cool Grey apparel is in stores now!

Tell your friends about this launch:

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Launch Date: 5/19/2012

Nike Zoom Kobe VII System
Concord/White-Cool Grey-Del Sol
488371-402
$140

This Kobe sneaker was designed for the 2012 NBA Playoff’s and is headed to your store! Purple appears beneath the grey “Kobe Skin” and the shoe has white accents around the heel. It also displays a unique hint of the “Lakers” yellow in the heel windows.

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From your favorite Jordans, to the biggest Foams, to the hottest Griffey’s & AF1s- THIS IS THE TIME & THE PLACE to cop em!

To get first picks, be there when the doors open!

Pictured below are some of the shoes we will be re-releasing at that time.

And, as always, in addition to the sneakers re-releasing that day, our Grand Opening will be hosting all sorts of deals and special offers on fresh clothing for Men & Ladies– and you don’t wanna miss out on that either!

Stop by & pick up these exclusive re-releases!

Grand Opening of City Gear in the Mall of Louisiana
6401 Bluebonnet Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70836

Tell your sneakerhead friends about this BIG opportunity:

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One of the latest accessories to hit City Gear this season is Sprayground’s “Camo & Ammo” Spring 2012 Collection.

Sprayground specializes in high quality backpacks and duffel bags that feature revolutionary cutting-edge designs.

Below are some of the Sprayground items available at your City Gear today!

(Can’t make it to a City Gear store? Check out the Sprayground selection at ShopCityGear.com! CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE WITH CITY GEAR)

WATCH THIS: Sprayground Designer/Owner DBD Interview Compilation

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With the major resurgence of classic and retro footwear, the jersey has made its way back on the scene.

Jerseys are becoming the premium item to compliment the diverse amount of colorful footwear currently on the market.

Authentic Mitchell & Ness Throwback Baseball Jerseys are now available at Select City Gear stores!

Tell your friends about this NEW delivery:

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“Your Nobody Til Somebody Kills You” tees


“Tupac” Tanks – Each tank represents Tupac’s tattoos, the Black tank has actual placement of the tattoos on his chest and stomach, the Red tank has actual placement of the tats on his back. Click here for some of the meanings of his tattoos: 2pac2k.com

“Who Shot Ya” Tank Top – This tank has a famous silhouette of Biggie, and the lyrics of his famous record Who Shot Ya actually make up his image.


“Baby Biggie” Tee – This is a Classic Sneaktip tee that takes inspiration from the cover of the Ready To Die album. The words “Where Brooklyn At?” make up the image of the baby from the cover. Biggie and Tupac freestyled together Live at Madison Square in 1993, and “Where Brooklyn At” is how Biggie started his now legendary freestyle.


STARTER x SNEAKTIP SNAPBACK: The Snapback has Tupac’s tattoos embroidered on the it!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS
ABOUT THIS EXCLUSIVE DELIVERY:

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Yesterday’s Meet & Greet with CA$H OUT at the City Gear in Memphis’ Southland Mall was a good time!

Lots of fans & City Gear customers came out and met with the rising hip hop artist. CA$H was signing free copies of his latest album “CA$H OUT: IT’S MY TIME”, taking pictures with fans, and even did a little shopping while he was in the store. (Peep this: Among a few other items, CA$H OUT purchased some apparel from Sneaktip, a few Mitchell & Ness snapbacks, and a Sprayground duffle bag!)

Thanks to all who came out and fun with us!

Keep in touch at CityGearUSA.com for upcoming events…
…because you never know who will be at the next Meet & Greet!

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Will be available at select City Gear locations!

May 25, 2012
Reebok Question Mid
White/Red
$125

“The Reebok Question was Allen Iverson?s first signature shoe and has been his most popular and best selling out his entire signature line. First released in 1996, the Reebok Question sold out immediately and set record-breaking sales numbers for Reebok. Iverson wore this shoe for the duration of his unforgettable and history making NBA rookie season. Iverson has worn the shoe sporadically in regular season games, playoff games, and All-Star games. In the history of Reebok, the Question is one of Reebok?s most successful designs. The shoe has been re-released countless times in team colorways, special editions, and regular general releases. The Question is also considered to be a ?classic? amongst many sneakerheads around the world.” via KicksOnFire.com

See pictures of the shoe, and Iverson himself rockin it back in the day…

ALSO… Reebok launched a new commercial this week called “Street Knock.” It stars the Vector logo, Reebok Classics gear, and the Question shoe- all rapping and pushing whips and stuff. Swizz Beatz, A$AP Rocky, and Allen Iverson also snuck their way onto the Reebok set and made the final video edits in supporting cameo roles. Watch “Street Knock” below. via foreversneakz.com

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Launch Date: 5/12/2012

Lebron PS “TAXI”
516958-700
$250

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Launch Date: 5/12/2012

Jordan IV Retro “Cavs” or “The Shot”
Black/Safety Orange-Game Royal
Men: 308497-027 $160
Grade School: 408452-027 $110

But are they Cavs or Knicks?… Most people thought these 4′s were modeled after the New York Knicks and all the Jeremy Lin hype. Well, these kicks were actually coined the Air Jordan IV “Cavs” because in the late 80′s the Clevand Cavs Jersey were similar to the colors in this Air Jordan. Plus, MJ undoubtedly OWNED the Cavs at the time. The sneakers are a tribute to Michael’s pure dominance of the Cleveland team during the late 80′s and early 90′s. “If you don’t know, now you know…”

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Launch Date: 5/9/2012

Jordan Melo M8
Anthracite/White-Team Orange
469786-016
$150

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Launch Date: 5/5/2012

Air Jordan 1 Hi Strap Premier
White/White-Varsity Red-Mid Navy
375352-101
$115

Air Jordan 1 Hi Strap Premier
Midnight Navy/Varsity Red/Sail
342132-461
$110

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*White Colorway of the Dunk Hi: UNAVAILABLE*

Air Force 1 Low (Playoff)
Red Mahogany/Scarlet Fire-White
488298-603
$90

Air Force 1 Low (Playoff)
Jersey Gold/Sport Red-White
488298-701
$90

Air Force 1 Low (Playoff)
Wolf Grey/Action Green-White
488298-009
$90

Air Force 1 Low (Playoff)
Storm Blue/White-Vivid Orange
488298-404
$90

Dunk Hi (Playoff)
Jersey Gold/White-Iguana
317982-704
$85

Dunk Hi (Playoff)
Red Mahogany/White-Rd Mahogany
317982-607
$85

Dunk Hi (Playoff)
Wolf Grey/White-Cool Grey
317982-045
$85
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Launch Date: 5/5/2012

Air Jordan 11 Retro Low
White/ Varsity Red-Black
M: 528895-101 $140
GS: 528896-101 $95
PS: 505835-111 $62
TD: 505836-111 $48

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Launch Date: 5/5/2012

Kobe VII “Away”
Poison Dart Frog – Lakers – Away
488371-500
$140

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Gucci Mane in Concert!

Date: Sunday, May 27, 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Venue: The Ballroom at Warehouse Live
Click Here for More Information

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T-Pain In Concert!

Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Venue: House of Blues
Click Here For More Info
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(and keep in mind that TRUKFIT in available in City Gear stores & online at ShopCityGear.com!)

“Here is the official music video for Tyga‘s “Faded” single featuring his Young Money boss, Lil Wayne. This song can be found of T-Raw‘s Careless World: Rise Of The Last King album that you can purchase in stores or on iTunes today! YMCMB’s Birdman and Mack Maine also make cameos in the visual, which was directed by Colin Tilley.

I found it hilarious when it showed Tygaman and Weezy with large heads on their normal-sized bodies.”

text via lilwaynehq.com
What does TRUKFIT mean?
Well, Lil Wayne answers the question with this story…
“Back home when I was younger, there were people that would ride around in trucks and sell clothing. It was for people who can’t really afford clothes at the store. It’d be a really good deal, most likely stolen. You didn’t want to be known for having a ‘truck-fit’- if you went to school wearing a truck fit, that wasn’t cool at all, so I made it cool.”

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CA$H OUT Meet & Greet!

When: Sunday, 5/13/2012
Time: 2-4 pm
Where: City Gear in the Southland Mall
(Need directions? Click Here.)

Tell your friends about this event:

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Launch Date: 5/3/2012

Nike Air Max Griffey Fury “Fuse”
Dark Grey/Black-University Red-Black
511309-060
$170

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In Stores Now!

Women Nike Air Max 90
Hot Punch/White-Storm Pink-Birch
325213-605
$100

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Nike LeBron 9 Low
Team Red/Wolf Grey-Challenge Red-Total Orange
510811-600
$150.00

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Launch Date: 04/28/2012

Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite “Away”
Black/Metallic Gold-Black
516958-002
$250.00

The Launch Date has officially been moved to April 28th, 2012. Good news: the Lebron 9 PS Elite in the “Home” version will be dropping the same day! (instead of the original May 12th date)

Stay tuned for any and all Nike & Jordan Launch Date details!

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Launch Date: 4/28/2012

Nike LeBron 9 P.S. Elite “HOME”
White/Metallic Gold-Black
516958-100
$250.00

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE “AWAY” VERSION!

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IN STORES TODAY!

Nike Air Max 90
Black/White-New Orchid
325018-053
$100

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Nike Air Force One Premium Low “Black Mamba”
$135

Nike Air Force One Premium High “King James”
$145

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Adidas Samba
Black/High Energy/White
$65 (G49433)

Adidas Roundhouse Mid
Aluminum/Alumnium/White
$95 (G49521)

Adidas Roundhouse Mid
Black/Black/White
$95 (G49522)

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In Stores Now!

NIKE STARLET CANVAS
Hot Punch/Wolf Grey-Liquid Lime
511284-613
$60

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Part 1 of Lil Waynes exclusive interview with MTV for their new show Hip Hop POV. Lil Wayne talks about resigning with Cash Money, future albums and music, also material he wrote whilst in prison.

MTV shows part 2 of Lil Waynes exclusive interview in the second episode of Hip Hop POV. Weezy talks about his recent deals with Supra & Dre Beats, not rocking Jewerly anymore and how he feels about skating. He also shows us around his Miami Mansion!

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Launch Date: 4/21/2012

Air Jordan 12 Retro
Black/Red/White

-Men: 130690-001 (JO3522) $160.00
-GS: 153265-001 (JO3519) $110.00
-PS: 151186-001 (JO3518) $70.00
-TD: 850000-001 (JO3521) $50.00
-Gift Pack: 378139-001 (JO3520) $42.00

FUN FACT: Originally worn by Jordan during Game 5 against the Utah Jazz in 1997.

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The tee was designed by Marques Cook of Olive Branch, Mississippi.

It will be available in select City Gear stores any day now!

So, plan to pick one up- it’s another great hook for the Retro 12′s!

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Available for the Ladies at your City Gear!

Reebok Hi REIGNBOW
Neon Pink
J93472
$69.99

Reebok Hi REIGNBOW
Neon Blue
J93474
$69.99

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Despite having just crushed the Knicks and Bobcats, Dwyane Wade was still hungry for blood this weekend … destroying a group of innocent children in a pick-up basketball game … and TMZ has the footage.

It all went down in NYC’s Thompson Playground on Sunday … the NBA All-Star had just wrapped up a sock-shopping session at The Sock Hop in Soho — and decided to jump in on some kids’ pick-up basketball game (wearing slacks, a dress shirt, and a tie).

Within seconds, it was total D-WADE DOMINATION … and the kids LOVED it.

Wade must have played too hard though — because the very next day against the Nets … his ass got benched.
(via TMZ)

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Bright lights in the big city, Rocksmith travels to McCarren Park, Brooklyn for a capsule shoot that shows their spring 2012 sport category in more detail.

This seasons fleece category focuses on the team, the World Infamous Ninja Squad.

The F.N.L. theme is hard work pays off, creepin’ while you sleepin’ and always active.

This shoot highlights Rocksmith’s canvas twill & oxford “Heritage Ninja” jackets, fleece “No Sleep Ninjas” varsity set, crewnecks and snapbacks.

From NYC to Tokyo the Ninjas run the night.

Available at City Gear stores!

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Launch Date: 4/14/2012

Girls Air Jordan 4 Retro
White/White-Ultraviolet-Neutral Grey
GS: 487724-108 $110
PS: 487725-108 $70
TD: 308500-108 $50

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CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE!

This Black Pack is available in City Gear stores NOW!


adidas AR 2.0
$95

adidas Gazelle II
$65

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The collection was created in nostalgia as a reflection of the 1990′s Cold Wave/Ski Beach couture street fashion. An era that is also reflected through Community 54′s large vintage Ralph Lauren collection.

(See more about this & other Community 54 collections by clicking HERE.)

Community 54′s Da Bears tees and matching Starter snapbacks are featured below:

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For your chance to take the stage visit http://www.adidas.com/all2012

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DATE: Sunday, May 6, 2012
VENUE: The Limelight
LOCATION: 201 Woodland St – Nasvhille, TN 37213
TICKET INFORMATION: click here

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Nike’s Air Force 1 is potentially the most legendary shoe known to man.
“Having debuted in 1982, the Nike Air Force 1 will enjoy its 30th birthday this year. The shoe was created by designer Bruce Kilgore and introduced as the first Nike basketball shoe to feature Air technology. They were originally worn by NBA players including Moses Malone, Mychal Thompson and Michael Cooper (and, until his retirement last year, the mercurial big man Rasheed Wallace).

Little has changed in the iconic sneaker that’s now been released in over 1,700 color combinations, with many more variations to come throughout the milestone year.” via RAW87.com

So, in honor of the sneaker’s 30th anniversary, here is your AF1 fix for the day:

30 pairs of AF1s celebrating 30 years of freshness. Footage was shot on Hollywood strip.

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See some of Rocksmith’s tank-selection right here:

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Everything 2 Gain”

All of these items are available at ShopCityGear.com!
Shop DGK apparel & accessories right now!

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FYI: Jordan’s Son of Mars is comprised of elements from the AJ III, V, VI and XX.

Jordan Son of Mars
White/Club Purple
512245-106 (JO3505)
$160.00
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Launch Date: 4/6/2012

Nike Air Air Max Nomo
Black/White-University Red
429749-006
$140

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Launch Date: 4/6/2012

Nike Lebron Low Easter
Easter
510811-001
$150

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Launch Date: 4/6/2012

Nike Kobe VII
Poison Dart Frog
Men’s: 488371-300 $140
Kids’: 505399-300 $110
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Launch Date: 4/6/2012

Girls’ Nike Air Diamond Turf
White/Pink- Black
Girls: 488294-061 $80
Preschool: $58
Toddlers: $42

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Launch Date: 4/6/2012

Nike Air Diamond Turf
Varsity Red/White/Metallic Gold- Black
487658-610
$120

Hooks perfectly with this tee from The Freshnes:
(available in select City Gear stores)

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**Be sure to stop in City Gear, where we have the latest ROCKSMITH collections available just for you!**

BIG K.R.I.T (Rocksmith Notorious 81 Tee)
DIGGY SIMMONS (Rocksmith Spring12 Ninja Squad Fight Jacket)
T.I. (Rocksmith Spring12 Heritage Ninjas Jacket)
BOW WOW (Wu-Tang Holiday11 Skully)
DJ Pauly D
WIZ KHALIFA

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Tommy Hilfiger “Homer”
Black, Khaki, and Red
$49.99

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Tommy Hilfiger “Herman”
Khaki and Navy
$49.99

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Launch Date: 4/4/2012

Air Jordan 2012
Black-Varsity Red- Anthracite
508318-010
$180.00

With the cold weather out and the warm weather in, modifications to the wardrobe MUST be made. For instance, there’s no need for bulky sleeves of any kind. Enter, the Denim Vest.

Denim Vests are being produced by various brands and are being worn in a variety of ways- over a tee, over a button up, over a hoodie, with shorts or with pants, etc. Denim Vests are also being paired with other big time trends- camo, plaid, graphic tees, etc.

The question remains: How will you wear YOURS?

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From stripes to screen prints, tank tops are showing up on everyone, including your favorite celebrities.

Take note of how these guys are playing up their tanks with the right hats, necklaces, shorts, and shoes. The tank is great for achieving the skater look, the hipster look, or the I’m-Wiz-Khalifa-I-can-wear-anything-I-feel-like look.

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These tees and snapback are in Select City Gear stores!

The Diamond tee and the Numero Uno Tee are Collaborations with Diamond Supply.








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DATE: Sunday, June 5, 2012
VENUE: FedEx Forum
LOCATION: 191 Beale St – Memphis, TN 38103
TICKET INFORMATION: click here

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#ProjectCityGear

UPDATE: The 3 Finalists are as follows:

1. 9th Inning (9thinningclothingco.bigcartel.com)
2. Sick of Simple (sickofsimple.com)
3. Syrus Klothing (syrusklothing.com)

CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR VOTE!

***Voting ends on Monday, April 30th, 2012***

#ProjectCityGear is all about finding the next source of swag…we are looking for the hottest underground, up and coming brands out there. Think your brand has what it takes to stand next to some of the most popular and exclusive brands in streetwear?…here’s what you gotta do:

1) Post your branded t-shirts, hoodies, hats, whatever you got that shows off what your brand is all about, on City Gear’s Facebook Fan Page or Twitter Page.
2) Get your friends, family, and anyone else you can convince to show your brand some love by using the #ProjectCityGear on Facebook & Twitter! Make sure you & your supporters hashtag your brand as well!

Click here to get to City Gear’s Official Facebook & Twitter Pages:
City Gear’s Official Facebook Fan Page
City Gear’s Official Twitter Page: @CityGear

Important Dates:
-Friday, March 30, 2012: #ProjectCityGear begins!
-Monday, April 23, 2012: City Gear will announce the top 3 Finalists & official voting begins.
-Tuesday, April 24, 2012: City Gear will announce the top 3 Finalists & official voting begins.

-Monday, April 30, 2012: Official voting ends.
-Tuesday, May1, 2012: City Gear will announce the official winner of #ProjectCityGear!

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Read below for all the detailed information on how #ProjectCityGear works:
- Entries will be accepted via Facebook & Twitter with the approved hashtag (#), #ProjectCityGear.
- Entries include a picture that is representative of products made by the Vendor’s Brand.
- City Gear will choose 3 Vendor Finalists.
- Official voting for the Winner will take place on City Gear’s Facebook Fan Page.
- City Gear is not responsible for the manufacturing of the Vendor’s products. The Winner is responsible for supplying their inventory for the approved floor space.
- The definition of “floor space” is solely based upon City Gear’s discretion according to available floor space and what the Winner is to supply.
- The allocation of the Winner’s inventory is solely based upon City Gear’s discretion.
- The Winner’s inventory can include, but is not limited to, self-branded t-shirts, hats, accessories, etc. Additional P.O.P. can include stickers, pens, key chains, etc. All inventory must be pre-approved by City Gear.
- All ages may participate in this contest.
- No purchase necessary.
- Void where prohibited.
- Brands representing copyrighted, drug, gang, profanity, violence, and/or alcohol subject matter will not be accepted.
- Violators of these rules & regulations will be automatically disqualified from the contest.
- City Gear reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, cancel, terminate or suspend this contest at any point in time, for any reason it sees fit. In the event of any such modification, cancellation, termination, or suspension a notice will be posted on CityGearUSA.com.

This limited release is for select Nike Retailers, and are available only at select City Gear Stores.

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Hints of camouflage can be seen nearly everywhere lately. Camo is one of the hottest trends in apparel right now, and is a must-have look. Take a look at the pictures below- celebrities are wearing camo in all sorts of ways; shorts, pants, hats, & tees- it’s a great accent for the upcoming warm weather months!

Pictured above wearing Camo:
Amare Stoudermire
Big Sean
Bun B
Chris Brown
Ciara
David Beckham
Drake
Eminem
Jay-Z
Lebron James
Lil Wayne
Nas
Pharrell
Rhianna
Snooki
Tyga
Usher
and Wiz Khalifa

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Tony Allen Autograph Signing

City Gear- Wolfchase Galleria – Memphis, TN
Tuesday – April 24, 2012
6:30 – 7:30pm

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Launch Date: 3/31/2012

Nike Air Max Nomo
Soar-White-Cyber
429749-401
$140.00

Launch Date: 3/31/2012

Nike Lebron 9- AAU Hornets
Purple/Teal
469764-500
$170.00

Launch Date: 3/31/2012

Air Diamond Turf II
Cool Grey-White-Soar-Black
487658-010
$120.00

Be on the lookout for their Spring deliveries in select City Gear locations starting in April!

And check out their Spring lookbook here:

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Website: pinkdolphinonline.com
Facebook: Pink Dolphin Clothing
Twitter: @PinkDolphinCo

Pink Dolphin is a unique and ingenious clothing line embodying exclusivity. The founders’ vision was to create a clothing line where every piece was limited to keep from saturation on the streets. In doing so, every season since launch has been stocked with a limited quantity of articles that were only pressed one time. As the brand continues to build upon itself, we want to thank our supporters for believing in the brand and supporting our message.

Remember – we are all Legends+At+Our+Craft.

See who is wearing Pink+Dolphin:

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DATE: Friday, April 6, 2012
VENUE: The Ambassador
LOCATION: 9800 Halls Ferry Rd – St Louis, MO 63136
TICKET INFORMATION: click here

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Launch Date: 3/24/2012

Air Jordan 10 Retro
Black/White-Stealth

Men 310805-003 (JO752) $160.00.
GS 310806-003 (JO753) $110.00
PS 310807-003 (JO754) $70.00
TD 310808-003 JO755) $50.00
GP 487213-003 (JO3254) $42.00

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Adidas Gazelle 2

Price: $65

Available in Select City Gear Doors

Launch Date: 3/24/2012

Air Diamond Turf II
Grey-White-Freshwater
487658-003 (NK 792)
$120.00
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Launch Date: 3/24/2012

AF 1 Low Classic
Obsidian/White
488298-402 (NK8000)
$90.00

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Rob Dyrdek and Big Black get some Stance socks from Stance Socks on Vimeo.

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Nike Lebron 9 Low
Obsidian/Cyber-White-Blue Grey
Vendor Code: 518811-401
$150.00

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to

Marques Cook

of Olive Branch, Mississippi!

He is the official winner of the Air Jordan 12 Retro T-Shirt Design Contest!

City Gear will produce and sell Marques’ t-shirt design!
Keep an eye out for it in select City Gear locations!

So much talent was submitted and City Gear wants to thank each and every person who participated!

Stay in touch for contests, prizes, and more opportunities to WIN BIG with City Gear!

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Memphis, Tennessee (CNN) — With just over three minutes left in the state championship, Coach Penny Hardaway called a timeout.

He didn’t like what he was seeing. Down by 15 points, his middle schoolers were quitting. It stood against everything he had instilled in them:

Don’t use the inner city as an excuse to fail.
You can overcome your circumstances.
Always dream big.

The former NBA All-Star and greatest basketball player in Memphis history huddled his team of 12 together. He looked them in the eyes. He could see his reflection from 25 years ago: young teens from the city’s roughest projects longing for positive mentors.

“Just give me all you got,” he told them.

He was thinking a fight to the finish would let the players walk out with their heads high, their pride intact, even if they lost.

But what happened next defies explanation, is beyond description. A boy playing for his ailing father did something extraordinary. A man who grew up without one, who’d come to serve as a surrogate dad to a dozen boys, watched in awe.

Hardaway, now 40, made more than $120 million in a pro basketball career that spanned 16 seasons. Yet one of his crowning achievements came not as a player but as coach to the seventh- and eighth-graders of Lester Middle School, the same school that gave him a shot in life.

A coach’s miracle

Five months earlier, Desmond Merriweather lay in a hospital bed in Memphis. He’d battled colon cancer for more than a year. Chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries had done little to stop the cancer’s spread.

Doctors gave the Lester Middle School head coach 24 to 48 hours to live. His pastor, the Rev. Larry Peoples — “a prayer warrior” — stood at his bedside and bowed his head. Family and friends gathered in the room.

Merriweather, 37, had returned to his old neighborhood — gang-infested Binghampton — to coach basketball. He’d moved the year before from Jackson, Tennessee, where he’d lived since earning his college degree. He wanted to mentor middle school kids in the blighted neighborhood, to keep them from going down the wrong path.

“I wanted to show them that your heart is bigger than what you think it is.”

But it seemed he wouldn’t live to see this season.
Merriweather on courts where he and Hardaway played: \
Merriweather on courts where he and Hardaway played: “I can’t even put into words how much Penny means.”

Merriweather doesn’t know quite how to explain what happened. He had gone through surgery and then was given his death sentence. The doctors had said something about complications.

“The only thing I can remember is waking up,” Merriweather says.

Gradually, he emerged from danger. He attributes his recovery to the power of prayer, although he’s still fighting the disease.

“When the doctors gave up on me, I never gave up on myself. I’m a fighter. I knew I had to come back to my son and my daughter and my wife — and most of all, my team.”

He asked God to give him one more chance, to return him to the hardwood floors of Lester Middle. The boys needed him. More than anything, he longed to coach his 13-year-old son, Nick, for another season.

Among the hospital visitors was his boyhood friend, Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway. Merriweather had tagged along with the rising star at school, at outdoor courts, at the neighborhood gym.

“When we were growing up, we would see people get shot in the park — just a whole lot of crazy, chaotic things,” Merriweather says. In Hardaway, Merriweather saw a young leader who was going to make it.

“I want to do something for your kids,” Hardaway told the ailing coach.

As Merriweather recovered, Hardaway started peppering him with questions. What type of team do you think you’re gonna have? How good are they?

“I didn’t want to brag or anything, but I knew we had a good team,” Merriweather says.

He invited Hardaway to meet the players one afternoon in October. “I came over and saw the team and just instantly fell in love,” Hardaway says.

In an era when stars parachute in, smile for the cameras and then leave, Hardaway did just the opposite. He began driving his Bentley, Cadillac Escalade and Range Rover down the streets of Binghampton. Residents rushed from their homes, waved and cheered.

He’d pull into the school on Carpenter Street, nicknamed “C Street” because it’s known Crips territory, one of four gangs that dominate the neighborhood.

He’d show up for team practices even before Merriweather arrived. Hardaway started first as a volunteer. Still weakened from cancer, Merriweather soon delegated his duties. Hardaway became Coach Penny. He coached for free, with Merriweather remaining at his side.

Hardaway talked to the team about discipline, about class, about dignity. If you wanted to play for him, you had to focus on school. He instituted a mandatory tutorial program.

He’d arrive early in the morning, stick his head in the classrooms, make sure his boys were behaving. He quizzed teachers about the players’ progress reports: What areas do they need help in?

“I wanted to make sure they understood that education is more than sports,” Hardaway says. “A lot of these kids go from home to home to live. I had to make sure they’re doing their homework, make sure they’re going to class, make sure they’re not sleeping in class. … It’s all to make them know that I do care.”

Grades jumped from a 2.5 grade-point average — about a B-minus or C-plus — to nearly 2.9, a solid B. Hardaway’s goal is to have each of his players graduate from college one day. (In 2003, while still in the NBA, he quietly earned his college degree from the University of Memphis.)
Hardaway first donated uniforms, but he realized it was his time that the kids valued most.
Hardaway first donated uniforms, but he realized it was his time that the kids valued most.

He lectured the team about life in Binghampton. He’d walked the same streets, lived in the same projects. Of the 12 players on the team, nine don’t have fathers in their lives. At least six live in cramped one- and two-bedroom apartments with more than six siblings.

“Don’t use not having a father as an excuse,” Hardaway barked. “There are a lot of people who came out of adverse situations and made it. Use it as motivation. Use it to drive you.”

Hardaway, who grew up without a father, became the players’ surrogate dad. He told them not to be so angry, “to believe in yourself and believe in what you’re doing.”

“Whenever they got disappointed or whenever I tried to discipline them, they would go into a shell, and they responded negatively every time,” Hardaway says. “I’d tell them: You’re using that as an excuse.”

Merriweather, with Hardaway’s backing, met with the Bloods, Crips, Vice Lords and Gangster Disciples. The message: Keep your hands off our kids. The gang leaders agreed. They wanted the boys of Lester Middle to succeed, too.

To build camaraderie, Hardaway hosted the players at his sprawling mansion in suburban Memphis. He wanted to show them a side of Memphis they’d never seen: that if you work hard, you get rewarded. He held team sleepovers to build family. He taught them little things: tuck in your bed, fold your clothes, do your laundry.

“I can’t even put into words how much Penny means,” Merriweather says. “He has this presence about himself. When he comes into the room, he just lights the room up.”

On the court, the Lester Lions roared. Some games were laughably lopsided: 69-6, 70-8, 67-4. Starters typically played only half a game because they demolished teams so badly.

College recruiters drooled over the stat line of 6-foot, 4-inch center Robert Washington: an average of 23 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks per game.
Hardaway strived to build his players\’ confidence and to be a positive role model for them.
Hardaway strived to build his players’ confidence and to be a positive role model for them.

The stat Hardaway and Merriweather boast about most comes from the classroom: Washington has gone from a 2.0 GPA to 2.9, the most improved student not just on the team but in the entire school.

“Penny loves me,” the eighth-grader says shyly, “and I love him.”

Around Binghampton, Penny earned a new nickname: “Coach Carter,” after the 2005 Samuel L. Jackson movie about a successful businessman who returned to his old neighborhood to coaching glory, demanding nothing but greatness.

The grandmother who instilled love, demanded excellence

At his peak, the 6-foot-7 Penny Hardaway was a hybrid guard: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird all rolled into one. He couldn’t be stopped.

He starred in college at the University of Memphis (then Memphis State) and was the No. 3 draft pick in the NBA in 1993. He was immediately traded to the Orlando Magic.

At the age of 22, he signed a whopping $65 million contract. The kid from the Red Oak and Tillman Cove projects slept on his first king-size bed in a five-bedroom house. Up to that point, he’d slept only in twin beds, his long legs hanging off the end.

“I was blessed to get the contracts I had,” he says, “for something I would’ve done for free.”

He teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal and took the young Magic franchise to the NBA Finals in 1995, only to fall short of the championship. The next summer, he won a gold medal on the 1996 Olympic team.

Hardaway became the face of a Nike ad campaign. In the ads, Chris Rock famously voiced “Lil Penny,” the trash-talking alter ego of the humble Hardaway. “You can’t guard me. The Secret Service couldn’t guard me,” Lil Penny once boasted.

But Hardaway almost became a statistic of Binghampton before his career ever took off.

The summer before his freshman year in college, he and a friend were robbed at gunpoint. The car sped off but then stopped. Gunshots rang out. One bullet ricocheted off the pavement and struck his foot.

“I still think about, man, what would’ve happened if I got hit somewhere else. I could’ve passed away. I could’ve been paralyzed. Anything could’ve happened.”
Hardaway lived in this tiny apartment in the gang-infested Tillman Cove projects his senior year of high school.
Hardaway lived in this tiny apartment in the gang-infested Tillman Cove projects his senior year of high school.

He would later pick the gangsters out of a police lineup. He didn’t fear retaliation “because I knew I was doing the right thing.”

Such courage was drilled into him by his grandmother.

A sharecropper from the cotton fields of Blytheville, Arkansas, Louise Hardaway crossed the Mississippi River and moved to Memphis, seeking a better future. She settled in Binghampton, purchased her own home. She cooked in the Memphis school system for years and worked as a nanny and maid.

As Louise Hardaway neared retirement in 1976, her daughter — Hardaway’s mother — said she wanted to pursue a singing career and was hitting the road with her young boy.

“Oh, no, you’re not,” Louise Hardaway said. “You’re not going to have him going from town to town. He stays here with me.”

Reflecting back on that day, Hardaway marvels. His grandmother “had worked her butt off all these years, had her home paid off and now was finally going to get a chance to relax. And then I got dumped in her lap when I was 5.”

Louise Hardaway demanded excellence. A strict disciplinarian, she wasn’t going to have her grandson fall prey to gangs. She taught him to love the Lord, to rise up when others failed. She coined the nickname Penny, because he was pretty as one.

During his formative years, he knew his mother from postcards she sent from the road: California, Alaska, Hawaii. He never had a relationship with his father, who lived in Chicago. By the time he was 18, Penny Hardaway had only seen him about three times.

Hardaway’s life became wrapped around Lester Middle School. The teachers embraced him. He played basketball all day after school, on the hardcourts outside Lester. Gunshots pierced the night.

Hardaway became the top-ranked high school basketball player in the nation. His father always promised to come see him play but never did.

“I would wonder every now and then, as any kid would, what my father was doing, wishing my father was here,” he says. “But I would snap out of it really quickly and just keep doing what I needed to do.”

Neighborhood elders took him in, protected him. They saw a gem in Penny.

And that’s why he feels so compelled to intervene now. “I believe in giving back. I lived the dream. God blessed me to live the dream.”

His grandmother died in September at the age of 95, a month before he began coaching at Lester Middle. “She’d be saying, ‘That’s exactly what I taught him to do.’ “

He’s giving back in other ways, too. He hopes to break ground on Penny’s FastBreak Courts in suburban Memphis this year. The $20 million facility will house seven basketball courts, including a 2,000-seat arena, as well as an auditorium, a rehabilitation clinic and classrooms to tutor kids. He’s teamed with a foundation aimed at promoting youth sports and fighting childhood obesity.

“I’m hoping that by leaving the neighborhood and going to the suburbs, the kids can at least start dreaming.”

He has other business ventures: a barbershop and beauty salon in downtown Memphis and a turf business based in Miami. Nike continues to make his Foamposite shoes, which fetch hundreds of dollars — sometimes thousands — among “sneakerheads.”

He’s been gone from the NBA since 2007. The latter half of his career was plagued by pain. For basketball enthusiasts, Hardaway’s career has always been marked by “what ifs,” an amazingly talented player whose full potential was cut short by constant knee and lower leg injuries.

Championships, by which the game measures greatness, always eluded him.

The boy nicknamed King stands up

The game of basketball teaches life lessons: work with others, study to succeed, understand your teammates to win.
Hardaway\’s goal for the year was to build brotherhood and teach the kids what it means to be family.
Hardaway’s goal for the year was to build brotherhood and teach the kids what it means to be family.

In the huddle during the championship, the Lester players hung their heads. Down 51-36 with just over three minutes left, the game appeared out of reach. Fayette East had beaten them by one point earlier in the season and was having its way in the title game.

“Just give me all you got,” Coach Penny repeated one last time.

The neighborhood has a saying: “Binghampton, stand up.” After a season of brotherhood, the Lester Lions weren’t about to roll over now.

When the team hit the court, something magical happened.

Nick Merriweather had seen his father battle through cancer. His dad had gone through another round of chemo days earlier. It was time for Nick to stand up.

Coach Penny had told him before tipoff that his shot would be on target tonight, that his team would need him. He averaged about eight points a game, yet late in the fourth quarter, he’d yet to score.

Coach Penny considered pulling him.

At 4-foot-11 and just 95 pounds, Nick was outmatched in height, weight and speed.

But not in heart.

Nick launched a three-pointer. Swish.

The crowd roared. Dad struggled to stand. He clapped and pumped his fist.

The defense clamped down. Lester Middle got steal after steal. Fayette East players withered under pressure.

And the smallest kid on the court wasn’t done. He hit another, then another, then another.

Nicknamed “King,” Nick played like one. He nailed four three-pointers in a span of about two minutes. Others chipped in, too.

“God, you’re amazing,” Coach Penny thought.

The game wasn’t sealed until the final seconds, when Robert Washington — the school’s most improved student — battled for an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and put the ball in.

The Lester Lions won the West Tennessee State title 58-57, finishing 29-3 for the season.

The players went bonkers; many cried.

Hardaway ranks it as one of his greatest achievements. “Standing on the sideline, I couldn’t help them make a shot. I couldn’t help them play defense,” he says. “It was out of my control.”

Weeks after the game, the players still greet Hardaway with high fives and hugs as he walks into the gym. He’d always given money to the school and neighborhood rec center. But this year, he’s learned, “money isn’t everything.”

“Giving the time is just as important as giving the money,” he says. “When you have an example who’s lived in the same neighborhood, lived in the same apartments, walked the same hallways, that is motivating, and it drives them. Attitudes change.”

Coach Merriweather hasn’t stopped smiling. Late at night, he closes his eyes. He replays the game in his mind, over and over and over again. “I can’t believe this really happened.”

It’s given him strength. “I’ll never stop smiling until next year starts.”

Nick Merriweather doesn’t say much. He fights back tears when he tries to talk about his father’s struggle. Yet, like his dad, he grins broadly when asked about the game. “I caught fire. Yes, sir,” he says. “He told us to give it our all, and that’s what we did.”

Hardaway plans to return next year. He and Merriweather have something special planned, though they won’t say exactly what.

Hardaway laughs when asked what Lil Penny would say of what transpired. He pauses, then breaks into the voice of his alter ego: “I told you my man was gonna come back! Everybody said he wasn’t gonna come back. I told you he was. I told you.”

article via CNN.com

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Memphis, Tennessee – Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph is giving back to the community by covering utility payments for families who are in need of assistance.

For the third consecutive year, Randolph has donated $20,000 to Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) to be allocated to 100 homes in the Memphis area.

He plans to continue his support by visiting senior citizen residents on Saturday, March 17 at 2:30 p.m. to make a check presentation, sign autographs and pay utilities for the residents to avoid termination of their services.

“Ever since I joined the Grizzlies organization, the Memphis community has embraced me, and I continue to look for ways to give back to the community,” Randolph said. “I hope providing utility payments to those families that are less fortunate will give the opportunity to recover from their current situation and stay cool in the summer months ahead.”

Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, MIFA, is a unique organization designed to sustain the independence of seniors, transform the lives of families in crisis and equip teens for success.

Through thousands of volunteers and donors, MIFA engages the community to battle the challenges of poverty. MIFA serves more than 55,000 individuals annually with a number of programs throughout the year.

(Picture: Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph helps a family in 2010)

article via MLGW’s blog

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