WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards just unveiled their City Edition uniforms for the 2023-2024 NBA season. The new look has a distinctly D.C. inspiration.
The new jersey is inspired by the District's oldest monuments: The Boundary Stones. If you're unfamiliar, here's a little history lesson for you.
In 1790, the Resident Act allowed President George Washington to locate a 10 x 10-mile diamond plat of land donated from Maryland and Virginia along the Potomac River to form the new Nation’s Capital. Beginning in 1791, Andrew Ellicott and a team of surveyors, including African American mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker, placed 40 stone markers to line the original boundary of Washington, D.C. The boundary stones were the first monuments purchased by the United States government.
“We are proud to bring what we think is an under told story of our great city’s history into the forefront,” said Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chief Marketing Officer Hunter Lochmann. “Not many NBA jerseys can claim inspiration from the father of our country, George Washington, as well as highlight the work of a historic figure in Benjamin Banneker whose name adorns many D.C. institutions. These boundary stones defined the District that is displayed on our jersey and gives our city its nickname. We are looking forward to seeing these on the court and helping to educate our fanbase on part of our city’s history, ultimately the goal of these NBA City Edition jerseys.”
There's a story behind the colors, too.
"The copper, teal, and red colorway signify both the old and new. The copper and teal patinaed pattern symbolize the oxidized metal fencing that now protects the stones as well as the natural flora that surround many of the stones. The District of Columbia written across the chest is featured from the Old English Blackletter font family to illustrate the typeface used on 18th century maps of the 1800s. On the buckle of the shorts, “DMV” is highlighted in the same font style, continuing the Wizards tradition of being the first local franchise to incorporate DMV on a jersey," the team said in a press release.
And that red piping? It's a nod to the original 10x10-mile diamond boundary around D.C.
The Wizards will debut the new uniforms on Friday, Nov. 10, when the team plays its first home In-Season Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. Coincidentally, that's the day after Benjamin Banneker's birthday.
Fans will be able to purchase the Boundary Stone jersey at shop.monumentalnetwork.com and at the Capital One Arena Team Store starting on Nov. 2. In addition, fans can also stock up on all their City Edition merchandise needs with new Boundary Stone-inspired hoodies, t-shirts, and hats.
And you thought you couldn't get any more D.C. than the Wizards' cherry blossom look.