CHAPTER 01

Draft Day

6ixteen of the 6ix's finest have been selected for their unwavering passion for art, ball and culture. This is the dawning of a new age. Don't let the confident swagger mislead you. These young men possess an awareness and understanding that commentary isn't a commitment. They propel culture forward because the know observation isn't action. These boys put in that work, oh yeah you gonna learn today. These 16 young men from all ends of The 6ix are set to connect as storytellers to share, radiate and reflect on the art and culture of basketball. 

There is no city more uniquely connected through art, basketball and culture than that of Toronto. From the west-end to the east-end, our city has a young, rich and dynamic voice. A dialect that is tinged with inflections of our mosaic city with an attitude tempered by our climate and location. Coming from the cold is this vanguard that radiates the heat of the chart-topping music, art and top draft picks our city is known for.

To kick things off, the squad convened upon the NIKEiD Studio for a chance to learn about the inspiration behind the athletes and their signature footwear that inspire us on and off the court. Every colour, line and lace tell a story and The Nike brain trust walked us through the footwear designs of, Kobe, LeBron, KD & Kyrie. With detailed insight, colourful anecdotes, Charles Yearwood of Nike Canada highlighted the insight and inspiration of each silhouette and placing a spotlight on the perspective the athletes input has in the evolution of each year's new model iteration. Very clutch. 

The Vanguard were then given a chance to weave textiles with personal testimony and perspectives, and build out customized models from Nike’s 4 signature athlete models of Kobe, LeBron, KD & Kyrie. The storytelling flowed from their minds and onto the digital screens with the help of NIKEiD designers who acted as sounding boards to the tales that were told for footwear made by Nike and designed by us.

Welcome to The Vanguard.

CHAPTER 02

In The Lab

The intersection of Art, Ball & Culture was highlighted during the second session of The Vanguard with a lens acutely focussed upon the music that is the heartbeat of the culture of basketball. In this curated studio session, platinum producer, teenage wonder-kid and Toronto’s very own, WondaGurl walked us through some of her “plays” (Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Rihanna to name a few) as well as the science behind her meticulous preparation, strategies and planning that goes into her music.

Whether tactfully composing a song structure or dutifully memorizing hundreds of plays, variations and defensive sets; all-star talent behind the boards or on the court share familial DNA. Both producer an athlete know there tools and skills inside out. They share mental agility as well as creative dexterity to make magic happen with their fingertips. They both possess the power to lead and the unique ability to react and “remix” any given situation in their games and raise the level of play of those around them. “These kids wear Crowns over here”, from the NBA Finals to the Grammy’s.

On June 16, 2013, the then 16-year-old Ebony “WondaGurl” Oshunrinde made an epic first step into the game. During the fifth game of the 2013 NBA Finals, Jay-Z was featured in a new commercial where he announced that his twelfth studio album would be titled, Magna Carta Holy Grail. The standout track from MCHG was "Crown" which was fittingly produced by the young Queen WondaGurl. WondaGurl puts numbers on the board as Magna Carta Holy Grail debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 528,000 copies in its first week and is now certified double platinum.

Welcome to The Vanguard.

CHAPTER 03

Started

November 1st, 1946 is forever etched into the lore of Toronto basketball history as being the date the Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knickerbockers at the famed Maple Leaf Gardens for the first ever NBA game. The Vanguard retraced the steps of those players and continued to explore the 6ix's rich and textured seamless tapestry of Art, Ball & Culture. Arriving first at Union Station, much like any travelers from 1946 would have, the squad walked through these hallowed halls. Upon exiting the grandeur of this historical site, you are immediately at the doorstep of the famed Royal York Hotel which was once the tallest building in the British Empire. With the Canadian flag waving proudly in the sky, our coach was fueled and ready to drive us to our first destination on this journey of insight, inspiration and destination.  

From the doorstep of the historic Union Station, The Vanguard boarded a private coach, pop’d tags, got dip’d and dab’d their way uptown to the site formerly known as “The Carlton Cashbox” aka Maple Leaf Gardens. The first NBA jump ball took place at its centre court and the squad took in the majesty front and centre with a private tour of the facilities that detailed the history and heritage that lives inside these walls. 

On a quest for fire, Kardinal Offishall blazed a path by taking over airwaves and video channels alike with his distinctly Toronto slang. He is to Toronto Hip-Hop what Vince Carter is to Toronto basketball. Telecaster, former National Team floor General & Canadian hoop historian, Sherman Hamilton witnessed both the artist and athlete spark the flame that has led the way for this New Toronto to ascend to the apex of Sport & Culture.

These kids wear crowns over here and these two Kings spoke with The Vanguard before we were the first to see The Nike Basketball Royalty Collection and learn of the inspiration pulled from our cities distinct tone and tenor that went into its creation. 

Welcome to The Vanguard. 

CHAPTER 04

Crew Love

Those that ascend to that number one spot tend to dot the map with their travels. Alongside them are their crew that keep them in check & provide fuel to push them further. The Vanguard descended upon The Hazelton Hotel, a hotspot for ballers of all kinds in the heart of Yorkville to sit down with a pair of #1's - BOI-1DA & Anthony Bennett. These two northern stars represent a new era of talent from The 6ix that has charted unprecedented success from behind the boards and on the hardwood.

We chopped it up with BOI-1DA & AB about their rise to the top of the charts and the draft, the importance of the company they keep and what it means to rep The 6ix. We then headed to The Hazelton Hotel's penthouse baller suite, to battle against BOI-1DA in some rounds of NBA2K16. Nike's and BOI-1DA's connection to 2K dates back to 2K6 & most recently Kyrie Irving debuted the KYRIE2 while live streaming and playing against fans. From our penthouse perch, the experience was next level, as trash was talked, game was put down & a winners circle was formed. 

Welcome to The Vanguard.

CHAPTER 05

Sole Fresh

NIKE invited The Vanguard back into the newly minted NIKEiD Loft to experience the premium services that Nike+ members can receive at the NIKEiD Loft throughout NBA All-Star Week. In this private 1:1 design session we had our boys from XO in the building as well as honorary Vanguard members AJ Saudin & Dalton Pompey alongside expert NIKEiD designers and staff from Nike HQ. The experience was catered by Momofuku with music provided by our very own KillaxKels on the ones and twos. On 5 silhouettes that Nike’s brought out of the vault to re-master the future we were able to work with iconic graphics combinations, All-Star colour schemes, colour-shift material options and more putting our own personality into the mix.

In between bites of food and banging beats we grabbed a seat with the good people from @JasonMarkk for some premium SNKR Services to keep our kicks fresh out in these streets. As the night ended, and to keep our kicks straight The Vanguard were gifted Limited Edition lace lock sets which came in silver and rose gold to commemorate the All-Star Game being in Toronto building on an additional layer of customization to our newly minted kick creations. If you were lucky enough to reserve a slot, you too can join the expert NIKEiD designers for a personal consultation and unleash your creativity on the LeBron XIII Premium, the Kobe XI Elite Premium, the KD 8 Premium and the Air Force Premium.

Welcome to The Vanguard.

CHAPTER 06

Jumpman

Two days before the official opening of the Jordan Brand & Footlocker ‘306 YONGE’, The Vanguard was granted access to tour and shop the flagship outpost which boasts 15,000 square feet of space that are adorned with installations and decor inspired by 30 years of Jordan Brand. Showcases dot the interior and display the best of the brand, along with murals, one-of-a-kind artist prints, interactive experiences, exclusive Toronto-inspired product, photography of local courts captured by local and famed IG shooter JayScale as well as an installation piece created by local artisan Kwest, who crafted a sculpture made of the six shoe silhouettes worn by Michael Jordan for his six championship rings.

Below 306 YONGE is 306 UNDERGROUND, a VIP area where Nike+ members are offered services like customization of apparel and footwear executed with screen printing, direct embroidery and laser etching done on site. Membership has its privileges, such as early product reservations, personal shopping, a video game lounge filled with classic mid-century modern decor, fresh latte’s from buxom barista's and grooming services provided by Drake’s very own barbers. @TheVanguardTO was in the spot two days before the doors opened to the public crafting some one-of-a-kind product with the help of a bevy of Jordan Brand ambassadors that walked us through the seemingly endless options for customization. Wrapped up in custom print tissue and silver foil bags the squad left with some goodies and compliments from @Jumpman23. 

Welcome to The Vanguard.

CHAPTER 07

Snkrs Xpress

With our seats reserved for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 10th, NIKE and Jordan Brand invited The Vanguard to a media preview of SNKRS XPRESS. With two stations along the Queen Street West strip, we found ourselves rolling through The 6ix on a fully tricked out TTC Streetcar. This unique experience gave the squad a chance to be one of the first in the world to select from the most innovative global footwear designs from Nike and Jordan Brand while aboard the ultimate launch machine and destination for athletes and sneakerheads alike. 

Welcome to The Vanguard. 

CHAPTER 08

Jordan Brand
Invitational

On February 11th The Vanguards connected courtside to take in the Jordan Brand Invitational inside the venue that housed the first ever NBA game back in 1946. Fast forward to present day and the Air Jordan XXX was set to release a day, later on, February 12. To commemorate this moment, the Jordan Brand looked to bring together the best of the best from the United States and Canada to compete in the inaugural Jordan Brand Invitational.

Elite talent from Canada’s own Father Henry Carr and Orangeville Prep faced off against U.S powerhouses Redondo Union and Oak Hill Academy. As we settled into our seats Carmelo Anthony walked past and took his. 

Welcome to The Vanguard.