USA: Uniforms for World University Games have distinct Kansas look

Kansas University basketball uniforms for the 2015 World University Games.

Kansas University’s athletic department and adidas unveiled the Jayhawks’ World University Games uniforms on Monday, a day before today’s 7 p.m., KU-Canada exhibition contest in Kansas City’s Sprint Center.

Red, white and blue, of course, are the colors of choice for the KU/Team USA hybrid uniforms and shorts. Kansas is prominently displayed across the chest with the USA Gwangju 2015 emblem on one shoulder, the adidas logo on the other.

KU and adidas used tradition as the guide in devising a uniform to honor the program’s past and present legacies. KU’s NCAA championship victory in 1952 gave seven Jayhawk players a chance to play on the 1952 U.S. Olympic team in Helsinki, Finland the following summer.

Joined by Phog Allen, who was selected as an assistant coach, they helped the U.S. win the gold medal in basketball.

Using design inspiration from the 1952 Kansas and Olympic basketball teams, the seven stars sublimated on the back of the jersey pay homage to the seven Jayhawks on that team who represented their school and country in the 1952 Games. The stripes on the shorts are a tie on the American flag.

Adidas added its athlete-driven technology as the modern side panels and more breathable mesh were utilized. KU officials indicated the uniforms will not be available at retail. T-shirts and shooting shirts will be sold, KU officials indicated.