Air Jordan 17 Doernbecher Unveiled as Teen Designer Brings Personal Story to 2026 Release
Nike has unveiled official images of the Air Jordan 17 Doernbecher, a standout addition to the long-running Doernbecher Freestyle program – a collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University that empowers young patients to design their own Nike footwear.
The latest entry comes from 18-year-old Zach Rumbaugh, who lives with a rare heart condition. His Air Jordan 17 has already captured widespread attention online, thanks to a design that blends strong storytelling with a highly wearable aesthetic. The release marks a milestone for the charity series: it is the first-ever Doernbecher edition of the Air Jordan 17, and the first return of the model’s high-top form in nearly ten years.
Zach’s creation draws heavily from his love of cars and motorcycles – an interest he shares with Michael Jordan himself. Chrome details and bolt-inspired eyelets echo the look of high-performance bikes, while carbon fibre textures line the side panels. The collar and quilted interior take cues from luxury car seating, and a colour-shifting purple shell mirrors custom automotive wraps. The shoe features a removable black forefoot cover and elephant-print leather on the inner tongue, while the outsole glows in the dark.
The design also carries deeply personal touches. A cat graphic appears on the toe box to represent Zach’s fondness for cats, while the number 38 – stitched onto accessories including the lace lock and hangtag – honours the 38 days he spent in the hospital after his heart stopped. Custom insoles and dubraes add further nods to his interests, rounding out a pair already being tipped as a future favourite among Doernbecher collectors.
The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” will launch in Spring 2026 for $230 as part of the annual Doernbecher Freestyle collection.
