V.J. Edgecombe selected No. 3 by the Philadelphia 76ers
Bryan Kalbrosky breaks down the game of newly drafted NBA player out of Baylor, V.J. Edgecombe
Sports Pulse
The Philadelphia 76ers are back in black.
After years of rumors, the Sixers revealed on Sept. 24 that the team will bring back the “Hardwood Classic” black jerseys worn by Allen Iverson and the 2001 NBA Finals team for the 25th anniversary of the Eastern Conference champions.
In a video posted on social media, the Sixers showed off the retro uniforms with current players Tyrese Maxey, Kelly Oubre Jr., Adem Bona and Jared McCain, Just Edwards and V.J. Edgecombe giving them a look.
“I’m ready to ball, let’s go,” Maxey said while grabbing his No. 0 jersey.
“This jersey is ridiculous,” Maxey said. “Gotta cherish this.”
“I’m ready to rage in this one right here,” Oubre said. “This is what I grew up watching, AI hoopin. These were historic jerseys in their time.
“It’s 2025-2026, so I’m ready to rock it man.”
“I’m going to start doing the (Dikembe) Mutombo now,” Sixers backup center Bona said. “It means a lot, honoring the guys before us.”
“I’m going to look so good in this jersey,” McCain.
When did the Sixers wear the black jerseys?
The 76ers moved away from their classic red, white and blue colors with a primary black jersey with white, red and gold letters in 1997 soon after Iverson was drafted in 1996.
The new jerseys helped signify a change in the franchise’s culture after the team was purchased by Comcast Spectacor with Pat Croce as president following years of losing basketball.
The height of those years came during the 2000-2001 season, when Iverson and coach Larry Brown led a group of unlikely players to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and a trip to the finals — losing 4-1 to the Los Angeles Lakers.
While that team was no match for Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers, the team became one of the most memorable and loved in Philadelphia sports history because of their tenacity and hardnosed-play.
The iconic season was capped by Iverson’s 48-point performance in Game 1, when hit stepped over Lakers guard Tyronn Lue after draining a 3-pointer in his face during overtime. It was the only game LA lost in the playoffs that season.
To get to the finals, the Sixers knocked off the Indiana Pacers in Round 1 before beating the Toronto Raptors and then the Milwaukee Bucks in back-to-back Game 7 series wins.
During that era, the Sixers also were a white version and an alternate blue style of the jersey before retiring the black unis after the 2008-2009 season.
Rumors of the black jersey returning come true
The Sixers have been dropping hints for several months that the fan-favorite black jerseys would soon make a return.
The franchise wasn’t very subtle about the possible return of the black unis when a short video dropped recently of fans requesting their return.
Earlier this month, the franchise also revealed a new alternative court nearly identical to the one used in 2001 that the team will play on at Xfinity Mobile Arena this season.
When will the Sixers wear black jerseys this year?
The Sixers will wear the retro black jerseys during 25th Anniversary Celebration Nights at Xfinity Mobile Arena during the 2025-2026 NBA season. Those nights will include the themed court, in-game programming and tributes featuring alumni, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Sixers will wear the black jerseys during 14 home games and six road matches. Here’s when they’ll wear them in Philly:
Nov. 8: Toronto RaptorsNov. 9: Detroit PistonsNov. 23: Miami HeatDec. 4: Golden State WarriorsDec. 7: Los Angeles LakersDec. 20: Dallas MavericksDec. 23: Brooklyn NetsJan. 24: New York KnicksJan. 31: New Orleans PelicansFeb. 11: New York KnicksMarch 3: San Antonio SpursMarch 4: Utah JazzMarch 23: Oklahoma City ThunderApril 12: Milwaukee BucksWhen does NBA season start?
Will start of the 2025-2026 NBA season will begin Tuesday, Oct. 21 with the reigning NBA-champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Houston Rockets at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET
The 76ers’ first game will be Wednesday, Oct. 22 on the road against the Boston Celtics. The Sixers first home game is set for Saturday, Oct. 25 against the Charlotte Hornets. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.