The basketball division of NIKE officially unveils the much anticipated 1st signature shoe of NBA player Temetrius Jamel « Ja » Morant. Under contract with the brand to the Swoosh since 2019, the star of the Memphis Grizzlies thus enters the very closed circle of the basketball players honored by their personal NIKE silhouette.
Ja Morant becomes the 4th NBA player supported by Nike with an active signature shoe. This new silhouette is presented after the Beaverton-based manufacturer ended its partnership with Kyrie Irving.
The Memphis Grizzlies player is the 1st Generation Z athlete to get a Nike signature shoe. Ja Morant plays point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies and was drafted 2nd overall in the 2019 draft. At the end of his 1st professional season, the South Carolina native won the prestigious NBA Rookie of the Year title. He became an All-Star in 2022 and also won the NBA Most Improved Player award. Ja Morant is known for his fearless style of play, which represents the culture of modern basketball and the evolution of the game. With his bold and fearless style, he is also an inspiration to those who seek to assert themselves in sports, and gain confidence in life in general.
Commenting on the creation of this 1st signature shoe, Scott Munson, Vice President of Nike Global Men’s Basketball, said : « Nike, Inc. is honored to partner with Ja Morant to serve the future of athletes and sports. Nike Basketball’s first Generation Z signature athlete, Ja Morant is a revolutionary player who has quickly become a global star with his unmatched athleticism and exciting style of play. His genuine personality, deep love for his community and family, and joy for the game make him very special – on and off the court. We are thrilled to add Morant to our roster of signings and can’t wait for everyone to hear more about his first shoe, the Nike Ja 1. »
In a statement, Ja Morant also spoke on the subject : « This is a shoe for the underdog who has the dog in them, sneakers for anyone who has ever been underestimated or overlooked, told they were too small, or their dreams were too big …. I want everyone to feel, when they wear the Ja 1, that they are not inferior to anyone. »
Accustomed to wearing either Kobe or KD 4s, Ja Morant naturally chose a low mid upper for the shape of his Nike Ja 1.
According to the swoosh brand, this 1st shoe allows the player to better control himself while providing maximum hang time. The Zoom cushioned silhouette reduces landing force with lockdown benefits, which is important for a point guard. The Ja 1 consists of an upper mixing mesh and leather that provide comfort and performance. Morant’s signature logo is a stylized ‘JA’ emblazoned above a chevron, representing his dynamic athleticism in all directions. This exclusive branding adorns the tongue tag. The shoe also features the player’s number ’12’ on the heel.
Nike unveiled the Ja 1 silhouette on December 25, 2022, via an official press release. After the announcement, the NBA star wore the « Chimney » colorway on the playground during the Christmas game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors. This version appears in a gradient of the color purple, giving a faded effect. The base is accompanied by ‘almost’ grey low overlays and a side Swoosh surrounding the back of the foot in black TPU. A two-tone ice blue/purple outsole finalizes the design.
The Nike Ja 1 « Chimney » is expected to be released in the early months of 2023 at select retailers and on nike.com. Other colorways will follow, such as the ‘Day One’ in pastel blue/yellow/pink. On his Instagram account, Ja Morant announced : « On January 12, I will be choosing 12 fans to send a pair of my new shoes to for spring ». More details to come, stay tuned !
