I have to admit, 6 months ago, I had no idea what to expect from the LEGO-NIKE collaboration. It could have been all about producing replica life-size sneaker models, as well as LEGO-branded sneakers and other apparel, as we saw with Adidas a few years ago. However, we are also seeing some sets going in directions that we might not have expected. Branko took a look at the 43008 NIKE Dunk x LEGO set a little while ago, and today I will take a look at one of its younger brothers, the 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot. These sets are all aimed at builders over 10 years, and this set brings an interesting mixture of replica shoe, basketball court, graffiti and minigame. Along the way, I explore my inner street artist…

Let’s take a closer look.

As I set about putting this set together, the Knoller-in-Chief was away traveling. So, I have bravely taken on the mantle of Knoller’s Apprentice. Hopefully I have done justice to the role.

We have a collection of red and white bricks, plates, arches and tiles. perfect for taking on the shape of the shoe. The basket ball key comes together in a mixture of bright pale blue, dark and medium stone grey and vibrant coral. We have seen a significant amount of elements rolled out in this lighter blue this year, and I find the combination of the pastel blue with the vibrant coral to contrast nicely. Especially with the addition of some dark blue elements – mainly tiles, along with 3×3 circular tiles in coral. I have not encountered many of the 1×3 rounded plates, but we get a small collection in dark blue here. Finally we get a couple of 6×6 round tiles – both printed – one with a basketball showing the Nike logo, while a spring yellowish green circle looks like a piece of stenciled graffiti showing the LEGO/Nike collab logo.

The minifigure.

As a clothing brand, NIKE produce both sportswear, and street apparel. The solitary minifigure leans very heavily towards the latter. The figure has track pants and a red hoodie. Under the hoodie, is a cap featuring a black Nike Swoosh. The figure comes with two heads: one male, one female. The basketball accessory is an unprinted version of the one used for Mr BBall’s head in the Nike Dunk set, and can be held on the minifigure’s hand. It also has a pin hole on top, if you wish to attach a pair of sunglasses or a hair bow on top.

The torso printing features a dripping silver outline to the Nike-LEGO logo, while black ink outlines the stitchwork on the front and back. The silver ink is a nice touch, and highlights the attention to detail being demonstrated with this collaboration.

Let’s take a look at the build.

There are several distinct phases of the build. the shoe, the basketball key and backboard and finally, dynamic graffiti.

We start with the shoe. We build up the lower half of the shoe, using the curved plates and bricks on offer. The bars running through the shoe are used to attached the subbuild containing the the tongue and laces.

Unlike the 43008 Dunk, this set is dependent on stickers to achieve the characteristic ‘swoosh’ colout blocking that helps to identify the shoe. This is one of those occasions where I would place the second sticker (on the red tile) after placing the element, to improve the lineup of the stitch pattern. The Nike logotype at the top of the tongue, as well as the rear of the shoe, is achieved using stickers.

I love the rotational trick used to place the red tiles on the sides of the shoe – Its a variation of this one that we looked at many years ago.

A dynamic collection of pale and dark blue lines are introduced, supporting the minifigure, with the ankle on the left leg attached to a stud both below and behind, ensuring a secure connection.

The final shoe is 6 studs wide, 15 studs long and 7 bricks high (not including the minifigure).

Moving onto the court:

We set up pale blue arches, which are then connected using a most ingenious technique: studs with a vertical bar mounting into the top of flower elements, nearby brackets oriented at 90º to these are then braced to hold them together. The pale blue is oulined by vibrant coral plates and then framed in dark gray.

We also start on a Technic frame that will support the shoe, by inserting a tab into the sole of the shoe.

The remainder of the key is relatively simple, taking a couple of panels and placing large stickers on them. The coral isn’t quite the same, and doesn’t fluoresce like the brick-based equivalent. I love the way that it appears to have been freshly painted by our player. If only he had a spray can.

We add a further technical beam assembly, which acts to flick the shoe support upwards, when pressed.

The final aspect of the court is the backboard, built using a tried and true combination of snot tricks to inlay the inner and outer rectangles on the backboard. The tried-and-true basketball net element is then used to do what it says on the tin./i

Our final step is to put together what I think must be a graffiti wall: action stripes, bright splashes of colour, and the great big big NIKE x LEGO logo and basketball. This is essentially put together by layering plates and tiles

Putting the whole set together, and it looks like this, before you add the shoe

I love the bright use of colour throughout this set. I particularly appreciate the contrast between the red and white shoe, and the court, along with the graffitied wall. No, I am probably not the target demographic of this set. Sportsball, of any persuasion, and I suffer from a lack of mutual understanding. However, I suspect that if I loved my basketball gear and was particularly fond of Nike as my preferred sports-themed apparel brand, I would really want this set on my shelf! The shoe is interesting to put together, and if I was revisiting it, I would take more time with the sticker alignment.

The construction of the top and bottom parts of the show, and joining them together is pretty clever. I was also intrigued by the technique used to fasten the two halves of the basketball key together.

Not only but also

And then I discovered the minigame. I almost missed it, tucked away in the back of the second instruction book: remove the shoe, and carefully place the ball between the forks: after a little practice, you can get the basketball to drop through the hoop.

In conclusion

If I had been the kind of kid who enjoyed basketball and craved NIKE apparel, I suspect I might have really enjoyed having this set back in the day. Even today, I find the nature of this set: part display set, part fidget toy was fun to put together, fun to play with and even more fun to photograph.

As I mentioned when these sets were announced, there is something about these sets that reminds me of the era of big basketball posters in the window of every shoe and sports shop, showing shoes from no end of interesting angles, and wide angle photography demonstrating the span of those athletes who had reached the upper echelons of their game. While a minifigure cannot stretch out in the same way as Michael Jordan, the inspiration is there.

A bit of coloured card and spray paint felt like a necessity at this point!

I happily give this set 4 out of 5 Arbitrary praise units – but depending on you feeling about the subject matter, you might go higher or lower. Ultimately, I think this set represents reasonable value for what you get, but

So far, the Nike sets that we have seen are bringing something new to the LEGO Lineup, even though I might express some reservations about sets existing in a way that essentially advertises another brand in LEGO Form. I guess this is just like the posters of old.

The 43021 Nike Dunk Trickshot goes on sale on September 1 2025. It has 1 minfigure, 484 pieces and has a recommended retail price of for $AUD 59.99 / €39.99 / $USD29.99/ £34.99. It is now available for preorder, in some markets.

What do you think about this set? More appearing than expected? Just the thing your kids will want? Why not leave your thoughts and comments below.

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!