The Brooklyn Nets have cultivated a distinctive visual identity over the past decade, moving beyond their New Jersey roots to embrace a more dynamic and creative approach to their on-court style. This evolution in their NBA jerseys reflects a journey from a relatively consistent look to bold, modern designs that pay homage to their rich Nets history while defining a new era of sports fashion within the league. The recent announcement of the “Brooklyn Camo” uniforms returning for the 2025-26 season, after a hiatus since 2019, has sparked a nostalgic look back at the team’s most memorable basketball uniforms from the last ten seasons in Brooklyn.
Before their relocation to Brooklyn, the Nets began their journey in the ABA in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans, primarily sporting white and red. As they transitioned to the New York Nets, this color scheme largely persisted. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that subtle blue stripes and stars were introduced, a design element that continued through their move back to New Jersey, forming a consistent thread in their team apparel for decades.
The pivotal shift occurred with the franchise’s relocation to Brooklyn in 2012, ushering in a complete uniform rebrand. This era marked a conscious effort to blend respect for the classic designs of their past with an innovative spirit. Many of the most iconic and fashion-forward Brooklyn Nets jerseys have emerged from this period, signaling a new chapter in the team’s aesthetic narrative.
Among these contemporary designs, Brooklyn’s experimental use of the “BKLYN” lettering on their statement uniforms stands out. This artistic journey began in 2017 with a dark grey primary color, complemented by white stripes and traditional stars. A more recent iteration saw a switch to a lighter grey, enhanced by sleek black stripes and abstract stars, creating a superior visual balance and a unique flair that continues to captivate fans and influence sports fashion trends.
Another notable design paid tribute to the New Jersey era with its distinct red, white, and blue stripes and stars. While uniform design can sometimes veer into excess, this particular rendition masterfully achieved a tasteful graffiti-style aesthetic. It successfully evoked memories of significant seasons, demonstrating how thoughtful design can connect a team’s past with its present through iconic team apparel.
The Nets’ most recent City Edition jersey, a refined version of a previous year’s design, adopted a darker color scheme, subtly integrating flashes of red and blue. The standout feature of these basketball uniforms was the vibrant, colorful outline around the “Brooklyn” lettering, a creation by celebrated Brooklyn street artist KAWS. This design remarkably balanced artistic complexity with wearability, with the unique camouflage pattern surrounding the graffiti-style font securing its place among the top NBA jerseys.
The BED-STUY uniforms stand as a powerful homage to the legendary Notorious B.I.G., with the phrase displayed across the front referencing the hip-hop icon’s childhood neighborhood. Despite its subtle design, the uniform’s accent marks, seamlessly extending from the jersey to the shorts, created one of the cleanest and most impactful looks of the 2010s, cementing its cultural significance within the Nets history of team apparel. These City Edition jerseys truly highlight the local communities that define NBA teams.
Furthering the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. tribute, the black version of the “Biggie Smalls” uniform offered a smoother on-court presence. The black colorway beautifully complemented the outline of the Coogi sweater, elevating the overall aesthetic. These jerseys weren’t just a testament to their exceptional design; they were donned by one of the most memorable Brooklyn Nets rosters of the past decade, including D’Angelo Russell during his lone NBA All-Star season, adding to their enduring appeal and significance in Nets history.
Claiming the top spot is a redesigned throwback uniform that masterfully blends nostalgia with modern elegance. The navy blue base with striking red accents and stars harks back to the Nets’ early 2000s style, while the distinctive lettering ties the entire design together. Witnessing stars like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden in these striking basketball uniforms underscored their impact. The Brooklyn design team deserves commendation for their successful balance of creativity and nostalgia, consistently producing NBA jerseys that celebrate the culturally rich city and its enduring connection to its New Jersey roots.
