The Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” is officially set to release next week, bringing a highly anticipated Ray Allen-inspired colorway to retail. Officially known as the Air Jordan 12 “Idols Become Rivals,” the upcoming sneaker takes inspiration from the Milwaukee Bucks PE worn by Allen during his NBA career.
Originally expected later in September, the release has been moved up to September 12, 2026, giving Jordan fans an early look at one of the standout Air Jordan 12 releases of the fall.
Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” Release Date
The Air Jordan 12 “Idols Become Rivals” releases September 12, 2026, through Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers.
The men’s pair carries a $215 retail price, while the shoe will also release in family sizing.
Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” Release Details
- Sneaker: Air Jordan 12 “Idols Become Rivals”
- Nickname: “Bucks”
- Style Code: CT8013-103
- Colorway: Summit White/Gorge Green/Black/Fierce Purple
- Release Date: September 12, 2026
- Retail Price: $215
- Available At: Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers
- Inspiration: Ray Allen’s Milwaukee Bucks Air Jordan 12 PE
Ray Allen’s Bucks Air Jordan 12 PE Gets a Retail-Inspired Version
The new Air Jordan 12 is closely connected to Ray Allen’s Milwaukee Bucks Player Exclusive (PE) from the early 2000s.
Allen was one of the most recognizable Jordan Brand athletes of his era, and his Bucks PE became particularly memorable among collectors. The original pair featured the unmistakable Milwaukee color palette and was rarely seen outside of on-court appearances and early sneaker photography.
The 2026 release isn’t marketed as a direct retro of Allen’s PE. Instead, Jordan Brand has created a retail version that takes clear inspiration from the player-exclusive design.
That connection also explains the official “Idols Become Rivals” name. Allen grew up idolizing Michael Jordan before eventually facing Jordan as an NBA player.
Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” Design
The sneaker keeps the classic Air Jordan 12 construction but gives it a strong Milwaukee-inspired makeover.
A Summit White leather upper forms the foundation, while a deep Gorge Green shade covers the textured mudguard around the lower portion of the shoe.
Purple accents provide contrast throughout the design, appearing around the tongue branding, heel details and other hardware. The overall combination of white, green and purple immediately recalls the Bucks-inspired PE that influenced the release.
Nike also gives the shoe premium leather construction and the familiar Air Zoom cushioning associated with the Air Jordan 12.
How Is It Different From Ray Allen’s Original PE?
While the inspiration is obvious, sneaker collectors shouldn’t expect an exact one-to-one reproduction.
The most noticeable difference comes at the heel.
Allen’s original PE featured personalized lettering, while the 2026 retail release uses standard Jordan branding. The new pair also updates certain hardware and color details while maintaining the overall white-and-green Bucks-inspired aesthetic.
That makes the upcoming sneaker more of a Ray Allen PE-inspired Air Jordan 12 than an official retro of Allen’s exact player-exclusive pair.
Air Jordan 12 “Idols Become Rivals” Price
The men’s Air Jordan 12 “Idols Become Rivals” will retail for $215.
The release is also expected in multiple family sizes:
- Men’s: $215
- Grade School: $155
- Preschool: $95
- Toddler: $80
Nike Canada’s listing currently shows the men’s version at C$270, although regional pricing can vary.
Where to Buy the Air Jordan 12 “Bucks”
The Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” releases September 12, 2026, with availability expected through Nike SNKRS and select Jordan Brand retailers.
Nike has already listed the sneaker with style code CT8013-103, while retailers including Hibbett have also confirmed the September 12 launch.
For the best chance of securing a pair, sneakerheads should check SNKRS and retailer launch calendars ahead of release day.
Is the Air Jordan 12 “Bucks” Worth Buying?
For fans of Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks history and early-2000s Jordan PEs, this is one of the more interesting Air Jordan 12 releases of 2026.
The sneaker doesn’t exactly reproduce Allen’s original PE, but that’s arguably part of its appeal. It brings a previously difficult-to-own player-exclusive-inspired colorway to a much wider audience while keeping the iconic Air Jordan 12 silhouette intact.
The combination of white leather, Bucks green and purple accents also makes the sneaker relatively easy to style, giving it appeal beyond basketball and Jordan collectors.
Final Thoughts
The Air Jordan 12 “Bucks”, officially called “Idols Become Rivals,” is shaping up to be a major September 2026 Jordan release.
Inspired by Ray Allen’s Milwaukee Bucks Air Jordan 12 PE, the sneaker combines a white leather upper with green textured paneling and purple accents. Although it makes several changes to the original player-exclusive, the connection is unmistakable.
With a September 12, 2026 release date and a $215 retail price, the Ray Allen-inspired Air Jordan 12 should be on the radar of both Jordan collectors and basketball sneaker fans.
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