First-Look: Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 "Sea Crystal" Sample

The world got its first taste of the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 project in March 2023 thanks to the release of a pair featuring "Pine Green" accents. Other colorways have surfaced since then—including a never-before-seen sample inspired by Sandy Bodecker and his love of the SB Dunk High "Sea Crystal" from 2004.

If you're unfamiliar with Bodecker, he was Nike S(andy)B(odecker)—he served as General Manager for the category from its re-launch in 2002 until 2012 when he moved on to Vice President of Special Projects. In these roles, the longtime leader worked on projects like the original Día de Muertos Dunk Low (2006) and Breaking2—Eliud Kipchoge's pursuit of the sub-2 hour marathon (2017)—among countless others.

It's possible Bodecker ideated about a skateboarding-informed Air Jordan 4 before passing on Oct. 2, 2018, but the product wouldn't become a reality until years later.

X user @Kee2solid_ recently posted a picture of a Made In Taiwan sample of the modified basketball shoe covered in an "Ice Green/White"Sea Crystal" color scheme to the platform. Asking the public for more information, the official X account for Cincinnati's UNheardof shared some backstory—citing that the unreleased pair is based on the "Sea Crystal" SB Dunk High from 2004, of which Bodecker was a huge fan.

It's possible the Nike SB team created the brightly-colored retro on an anniversary of Bodecker's passing or simply wanted to explore the use of materials or certain colors while pulling from a heart-felt, close-to-SB place.

Whatever the backstory, it's already certain that the world would snatch of pairs quickly if the "Sea Crystal" style ever released.

Stay tuned to the House of Heat° app (iOS/Android) for details if ever they surface.

For more special product, check out the Jordan Brand "Space Jam" 30th Anniversary Collection.