Side Kicks Streetwear • Global Release Guide
Updated: 5 September 2026
About the release
Jordan Brand is finally bringing one of the more coveted Jordan 12 player exclusives to a full retail release. The Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' — widely referred to as the AJ12 'Bucks' — draws directly from Ray Allen's 2004 Milwaukee Bucks PE, honouring his transition from Jordan fan (as one of the five founding members of Team Jordan) to on-court rival across 12 head-to-head games against MJ himself. Style code CT8013-103.
The build features a white quilted leather upper paired with a reptile-textured Gorge Green mudguard and Bucks green sockliner. Colour contrast comes from Fierce Purple hits on the branding, embroidered 'TWO' tongue text and the carbon fibre support shank. The two key upgrades over Allen's 2004 PE: the Jumpman TPU tab and lace eyelets now carry an iridescent oil-slick finish (originally tonal green and gold on the PE). The retail version drops the custom Allen name / number heel detailing for standard Jordan branding. Green and white midsole, green and purple rubber outsole.
Air Jordan 12 Retro Cherry (2023)
A recent iconic AJ12 retro in stock now
Shop Now →TL;DR – Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' CT8013-103 Release Date, Price & Where to Buy
- UK release date: Saturday 12 September 2026
- Model: Air Jordan 12 Retro
- Colourway: Summit White / Gorge Green / Black / Fierce Purple
- Style code: CT8013-103
- UK retail price: £190 (adult)
- US retail price: $215 (adult) / $155 (GS) / $95 (PS) / $80 (TD)
- Sizing: Full family sizing (Men's / Grade School / Pre-School / Toddler)
- Where to buy: Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers
- PE inspiration: Ray Allen's 2004 Milwaukee Bucks PE
- Key details: White quilted leather upper, reptile-textured Gorge Green mudguard, Bucks green sockliner, Fierce Purple branding and embroidered 'TWO' tongue text, iridescent oil-slick Jumpman TPU tab and lace eyelets (upgrade from PE), Fierce Purple carbon fibre support shank, green and white midsole, green and purple rubber outsole
Release date and price
The Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' releases in the UK on Saturday 12 September 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. UK retail is £190. US retail runs across $215 (adult) / $155 (GS) / $95 (PS) / $80 (TD) with the shoe releasing in full family sizing.
The AJ12 has been on a strong run through 2026 with the 'Bloodline' retro and 'Sumo' both moving quickly. Adding a Ray Allen PE-based colourway with the iridescent upgrades will only sharpen demand — collectors familiar with the 2004 Bucks PE have been waiting years for a proper retail version.
Design and details
The 'Idols Become Rivals' is one of the more considered AJ12 retros in the current calendar — a proper PE-inspired execution with meaningful upgrades over the original, rather than a straight 1:1 recreation. Every colour block ties back to Ray Allen's Bucks era while adding modern retail-tier detailing.
White quilted leather with Bucks green mudguard
The upper leads with the AJ12's signature white quilted leather, kept clean to let the Bucks colour story do the visual work. Below, a reptile-textured Gorge Green mudguard wraps the lower half of the shoe — the shoe's most immediate Bucks reference. The green sockliner and matching heel accents extend the palette through the shoe's construction rather than sitting only on the upper.
Fierce Purple accent story
Fierce Purple handles the shoe's supporting colour work. It shows up on the metallic eyelets, embroidered 'TWO' tongue text, heel details, midfoot plate, and — importantly — the carbon fibre support shank visible from underneath. Combined with the green mudguard, it delivers the full Milwaukee Bucks palette without ever needing to shout it.
Iridescent Jumpman and eyelets — the retail upgrade
The biggest visual difference between this retail pair and Allen's original 2004 PE. On the PE, the Jumpman TPU badge ran tonal green and the lace eyelets were gold. The retail version swaps both for an iridescent oil-slick finish — the same shifting rainbow material that catches light differently from every angle. It's a proper modern detail added to a heritage-inspired design, and it's what gives this pair its distinct visual identity beyond the Bucks reference. The other notable PE-to-retail change: Allen's custom name and number lateral heel detailing is dropped for standard Jordan branding.
Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' images
Credit: Nike / Jordan Brand
Air Jordan 12 Retro White / Dark Grey
Another white-upper AJ12 execution
Shop Now →Ray Allen, Team Jordan and the 12-game rivalry
Ray Allen was one of five founding members of Team Jordan — the first wave of NBA players signed to Jordan Brand when it launched as its own division of Nike. Coming into the league in 1996 as a Milwaukee Bucks rookie, Allen was already a Jordan fan who ended up as one of his brand's face signings. Which set up an unusual dynamic when he had to compete against MJ himself on court.
The two faced off in a total of 12 games across their respective careers — spanning Allen's tenures with the Bucks and Sonics, and Jordan's stints with the Bulls and Wizards. It wasn't the fiercest of NBA rivalries — Allen was a Jordan brand teammate off the court and there was mutual respect throughout — but the on-court moments were meaningful enough to warrant a colourway commemorating the exact number: 12 games, on the Air Jordan 12, with the embroidered 'TWO' text on the tongue as a subtle nod. Allen wore multiple Air Jordan 12 PEs throughout his career, but never a Bucks-colored pair — until now. This retail version is arguably the definitive Ray Allen AJ12.
Where to buy
The Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' releases on Saturday 12 September 2026 for £190 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers. Full family sizing available. Browse all Jordan 12 releases and the wider Jordan archive on Side Kicks.
FAQ
When is the Air Jordan 12 'Idols Become Rivals' release date?
Saturday 12 September 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers.
How much does the AJ12 'Idols Become Rivals' cost?
UK retail is £190 for the adult men's pair. Full family sizing available — US pricing runs $215 (adult), $155 (GS), $95 (PS) and $80 (TD).
Why is it called 'Idols Become Rivals'?
The name references Ray Allen's journey from Michael Jordan fan (as one of five founding Team Jordan members) to on-court rival. Allen faced Jordan across 12 games during their respective NBA careers — hence the AJ12 as the chosen silhouette and the 'TWO' text embroidered on the tongue as a subtle nod.
How different is this from Ray Allen's actual Bucks PE?
Close in spirit but with meaningful upgrades. The retail version swaps the PE's tonal green Jumpman badge and gold lace eyelets for an iridescent oil-slick finish on both, giving the shoe a distinct modern visual identity. Allen's custom name and number lateral heel detailing is dropped for standard Jordan branding. Everything else — the Bucks green mudguard, white quilted upper, Fierce Purple accents — stays close to the 2004 original.
Discover more from Side Kicks
