The 2019 NBA champions and sportswear brand Nike have collaborated to release the first-ever team-branded Nike Pro Hijab to promote Muslim women in sports.

Inspired by local community group based in Toronto, The Hijabi Ballers and the NBA champions teamed up with Nike to design hijabs for Muslim women in the sport. The hijabs feature the Raptor’s clawed basketball logo on one side and the signature swoosh emblazoned on the other.  

Toronto Raptors unveiled their partnership with Nike on Twitter with the statement, “inspired by those brave enough to change the game.” Nike also released a campaign video promoting the sportswear item and showcasing a group of Muslim women playing basketball.

In the campaign, one athlete says, “It’s about Muslim women not having to give up their identity or feeling like they have to sacrifice some portion of their identity, but also still play whatever sport they want.”

After officially launching the Nike Pro Hijab in late 2017, the sportswear brand continues to create history by working towards inclusivity with the help of a host of Muslim female athletes including Olympic fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Community group, Hijabi Ballers expressed their excitement on Instagram commenting that the team-branded hijab celebrates and increases “opportunities for Muslim girls and women in sport.” They further added that “Basketball is integral to our growing community in this cultural mosaic of a city.”