Surfaces: adidas DON Issue 5 Scott's Tots Sample
A sample colorway of the adidas DON Issue 5 tied to The Office's infamous "Scott's Tots" episode has emerged on eBay for the first time since being featured on social media two years ago. The never-released design, created for Donovan Mitchell, layers cultural references and design details that tie the show's plot directly to the Cavaliers guard's real-world philanthropy.
By Ava Rodriguez
The Sample That Never Dropped
Rare player samples occupy a unique tier in sneaker culture—existing in the space between art and commerce, seen but never distributed. The adidas DON Issue 5 Scott's Tots sample represents that liminal category with particular precision: a design that bridges television comedy, NBA player identity, and charitable work, rendered as a shoe that the public was never meant to own.
The pair surfaced this week on the secondary market in size 11, asking $2,000. Its emergence marks the first time it has been available for purchase since Jenna Fischer, the actress who played Pam Beesly on The Office, posted an image of the sample alongside a matching hoodie to Instagram approximately two years prior.
Design Details
The colorway translates the "Scott's Tots" episode into sneaker language with deliberate restraint. A white upper anchors the design, accented in black throughout the collar, heel, and accent paneling. The execution avoids overwrought theming—instead, specific details carry the reference.
The lateral toe features a battery icon, a callback to Michael Scott's notion that his true talent lay in creating motivational energy rather than following through on commitments. The insoles double as narrative devices: one bears the newspaper headline "Local businessman pledges college tuition to third graders," while the other reproduces the opening lyrics of the song performed by the disappointed students—"Whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do!? Make our dreams come true!" The medial side panel includes that same "dreams come true" phrase alongside a Don's Tots logo, completing the reference architecture.
The Charity Layer
What elevates this sample beyond fan service is the ironic alignment with Mitchell's real life. While Michael Scott's promise to fund education for a group of children devolved into one of the show's most cringeworthy moments, Mitchell operates SPIDACARES, an actual charitable foundation serving families and youth. The sample becomes a kind of visual joke about the gap between good intentions and execution—except Mitchell's organization actually delivers on what Scott could not.
The adidas DON Issue 5 has served as Mitchell's signature line since 2021, evolving through colorways that balance performance footwear requirements with collaborative storytelling. This sample sits firmly in the PE (player exclusive) category reserved for athlete experimentation and celebration.
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Release Info
There is no public release planned for this colorway. The adidas DON Issue 5 Scott's Tots sample remains a one-off, housed in either Mitchell's personal collection or now, potentially, in a collector's hands via the secondary market listing.
FAQs
Is the adidas DON Issue 5 Scott's Tots sample releasing to the public?
No. This remains a never-released player sample. The pair currently available on eBay is the secondary market exception, not the rule.
How much is the sample selling for?
The size 11 listed on eBay is asking $2,000. Secondary market pricing for rare player exclusives fluctuates based on condition, size, and cultural relevance.
Where can I buy the adidas DON Issue 5 Scott's Tots sample?
The sample is listed on eBay in size 11. Availability is limited to whatever single pairs emerge on the secondary market; no retail release occurred.
Release Info
Status: Secondary market only (eBay)
Retail Price: N/A (sample, never released)
Secondary Market Ask: $2,000 (size 11)
Availability: eBay (limited quantity)
