The mid-2000s was an era most Knicks fans would rather forget, but even the gloomiest of doomers will admit there were a handful of moments and players worth remembering fondly. One of those names is Nate Robinson. Standing just 5-foot-9, Robinson won over New Yorkers with an unmatched blend of grit, fearlessness, and heart, the kind of mentality that perfectly mirrors the city itself. That spirit left a lasting impression on the Knicks faithful, and it’s a big reason why basketball upstart EQLZ has tapped Robinson as one of its cornerstone collaborators.
Following a well-received debut pack inspired by both his professional career and personal journey last year, Nate and EQLZ are spinning back with a mismatched take on the EQLZ 247 NXT, a new low-top evolution of the original 247. The NXT retains the same trusted cushioning and traction setup but introduces a lowered platform for improved stability and enhanced court feel, making it especially well-suited for shifty guards like Robinson. The upper shifts into a new composite structure featuring synthetic materials and woven fibers, trimming weight without sacrificing lockdown.
Robinson’s signature colorway pulls from two defining chapters of his life. The first, and most obvious, is his time with the New York Knicks, where he began his NBA career, became the first player to win the Slam Dunk Contest three times, and even earned Sixth Man of the Year consideration toward the end of his tenure. The second reference looks back to Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, where Nate spent three seasons before transferring to California as a senior. He won a state championship there, a feat his son Nyale Robinson would later match in 2024.
Those dual inspirations come together through a mismatched color scheme, with the left shoe dressed in blue and the right in orange. One insole pays homage to the Big Apple with Frank Sinatra’s “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere” line, while the other reads “Beach Boyz” alongside a beach ball graphic.
The storytelling extends to the packaging as well. The shoebox features basketball-themed illustrations created by children undergoing dialysis at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Robinson’s own battle with kidney failure and eventual transplant was a central theme of his first EQLZ release and remains a meaningful part of his post-playing career narrative.
The Nate Robinson x EQLZ 247 NXT “Knicks” releases January 31st via EQLZ.com for $125 USD. Several general release styles are set to follow throughout 2026. Check out the full image gallery below if you’re considering copping.
