Acknowledge basketball culture. ANYONE can engage with basketball, be it performance, fanatic, lifestyle etc. The Throwback brand provides a one-stop-shop for everyone.

It’s all about the experience. 

In late 2011 Throwback was created by Michael Lazaris with some pocket change and a vision.

Michael drew inspiration from his upbringing in basketball, due largely in part to his Father's (Andrew Lazaris OAM) involvement in the sport. Andrew had also been involved with basketball since he was a kid and was a co-founder and part owner of the Sydney Kings through the 1990’s (considered by many as basketball's “peak” period) - a time when Michael Jordan headlined the sport, making key inroads globally.

It was indeed the 90’s that influenced Michael through his childhood and this is primarily where the inspiration for “Throwback” (a common basketball term for retro) came from... hence the name.

The original Throwback concept store (est. 11/11/11), opened its doors at Alexandria Basketball Stadium in the Sydney Metro area. Michael’s initial vision was a “pro-shop” for the members of the stadium that would trade during game times on weeknights and weekends. And so, Michael transformed an old, rundown, unused storeroom into a thriving business that grew over the years.

Michael would re-invest every cent earned along the way, back into Throwback allowing for larger buying, bigger ranges, store upgrades and additional staff to support him.

In 2013, Throwback expanded to a second store (a concept store in the fashion precinct of Bondi Beach) fulfilling a successful two year stint leading to the store’s relocation to a much larger space in Darlinghurst in late 2015. In less than two years though, and with a newly acquired partnership with Nike Australia, the Darlinghurst store dubbed “Hoops Central” had outgrown itself and resulted in the launch of Throwback's huge 200sqm Flagship store launching just a few doors down on its 6th Birthday.

The Flagship features everything from an interactive sneaker wall with a “Test Your Shoes” hardwood floor, one of Australia’s largest in-store NBA apparel assortments, a Hall of Fame room that showcases 70’s, 80’s, 90’s & 00’s inspired jerseys & threads, a huge assortment of kids footwear & apparel, and finally... the ultimate unveiling of Sydney’s first ever full-scale “DYO Uniforms Lab” dedicated to basketball, allowing players and teams to create and order their own uniforms in store. The store even features its own Café for those looking for a quick eat or drink during live NBA games streaming on the big screen.

The Flagship's fit-out is as authentic as Throwback’s history with a recycled 1950’s hardwood basketball court that was recycled and restored as the store’s foundation, and a distinct 'split-personality’ of store themes segments the performance and lifestyle assortments to allow for the consumer’s experience to max out. The surround sound of live NBA games make you feel like you have walked in one of the leagues' largest arenas and the vintage locker wall in the Hall of Fame room overwhelms you with its impact.

With the sport’s resurgence back to its pinnacle, Throwback has thrived in the basketball world and continues to turn heads… If you aren’t already, it's time to get on board.

Throwback
“Changing the Game"