The Pokémon Companyis teaming up with Overtime for a unique collaboration that mixes basketball and Pokémon together. In recent years, The Pokémon Company has teamed up with a variety of franchises and brands for unique cross-collaborations.From Levi’s to Converse, many of these collaborations are focused on fashion, which allows Pokémon fans to rep their favorite Pokémon while remaining stylish.Pokémon’s latest collaboration might be one of the most unique yet, as the brand is now teaming up with a sports league to launch a full line of jerseys and lifestyle clothing.
Pokémon has announced a new partnership with Overtime that featuresall eight Overtime Elite basketball teams wearing Pokémon-themed, custom-designed jerseys over the course of the league’s annual playoffs. The collaboration will feature Pokémon like Pikachu, Charizard, and Venusaur, with each team repping a different Pokémon. The jerseys will debut at the launch of the playoffs, dubbed the Pokémon Playoffs, on February 18, with the full collection going on sale via the officialOvertimewebsite at 9am ET on February 27. In addition to the jerseys, the collaboration will also include shorts, hoodies, activewear, and pajamas.
The Pokémon Playoffs, Explained
OTE & Pokémon Are Teaming Up To Sponsor OTE’s Annual Playoffs
Overtime Elite (or OTE for short) is a basketball league for 16-20-year-olds that serves as a developmental league. The league consists of eight teams, which play against each other and against prep schools and high schools over the course of the season. All eight teams compete in a playoff at the end of their basketball season, which starts later this month.Several OTE alumni have gone on to play in the NCAA and were drafted into the NBA, including twins Amen and Ausen Thompson and Rob Dillingham.
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This year’s OTE playoffs have been dubbed the Pokémon Playoffs. In addition to the teams wearing custom jerseys, OTE Arena (the venue where the league plays) will have customized LEDs and Pokémon-inspired uniforms. Additionally,on Pokémon Day 2025, both Pikachu and Gengar will appear at OTE Arena for live appearances. The playoffs will start on February 18 and run into March.
The Perfect Pokémon Picks
Jerseys Include Pikachu, Charizard, Venusaur
Each OTE team will represent a different Pokémon on their jersey, with a matching color scheme. Some of the jerseys also feature extra effects to help bring the Pokémon to life. For instance, YNG Dreamerz has Pikachu on their jersey, with electric bolts running back and forth over the jersey. Likewise, the Blue Checks sport a windy design with leavesto represent Venusaurand its Razor Leaf attack. In addition to the jerseys and basketball shorts, each team will also have a set of warmup shirts and hooded sweatshirts.
The full list of teams and their respective Pokémon can be found below:
