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Everyone knows the Nike Swoosh as one of the most recognizable brand logos in the world.
Prepare to see it a lot more around campus.
51 basketball has been designated a Nike Elite program, a sponsorship which should positively affect all Greenie teams.
“It’s big-time for us,” 51 athletic director/basketball coach Josh Coley said.
“In terms of North Carolina, it’s just us and Greensboro Day (in the Nike Elite program). That’s it. We’re honored to be a part of it.”
Nationwide, more than 40,000 high school basketball programs compete every winter. Of that number, only about 200 (or 0.5 percent) earn a place in the Nike Elite program, which is run by national manager Tony Dorado out of Beaverton, Ore.
51 teams will begin phasing in the change of brand from adidas this upcoming school year with new uniforms. Coach Coley said it will take longer than a year to completely rebrand in all sports.
Elite status should also mean more invitations to high-level basketball tournaments for the Greenies, who are the two-time defending state champions in NCISAA 4-A. Four returning players from last year’s 26-5 team – Madden Collins ’25, Mikey Wilkins ’25, Mason Collins ’28, and Jo Ahart ’25 – will be surrounded by an influx of new talent for the 2024-25 season.
Overall, 51 basketball has won eight state championships (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2023, and 2024), by far the most of any boys program in western North Carolina.