Ja Morant is more than just a highlight machine. The Memphis Grizzlies star is a flag-bearer for a new generation of rising NBA stars with equally exciting signature sneaker lines. His first signature sneaker with Nike Basketball — the Ja 1 , a versatile low-top silhouette — dropped in 2023, and quickly found an audience thanks to a wide array of exciting colorways and a palatable $110 USD price point, making it Nike’s least expensive signature hoop shoe.
Now, older, wiser and with much more experience under his belt, he’s ready to present the Ja 2.
In our conversation with Ja, he noted that he didn’t feel pressure to create his next shoe after having set the bar high with his first pair. “My goal was to improve the foundation of the Ja 1. I wasn’t worried about the colorway offerings either because it’s all about storytelling and my life journey,” he said. Between the new shoes and his in-full return to the court after an abridged 2023-24 season, the electric guard is ready for a new chapter.
Jarrett Mann, the head of design for Nike’s men’s basketball footwear team, walked us through what technical details to expect from the Ja 2, emphasizing two key points — bounce and control. The former is backed by Cushlon foam and a forefoot Air Zoom unit, elements that hoopers loved with the Ja 1. As for control, a new molded midfoot panel offers lockdown that supports transitional movement, strengthening one’s ability to start and stop. Beyond that, it will serve as a canvas for storytelling, evolving with each unique take on the shoe. That’s not the only part of the shoe that is narrative driven: the outsole traction pattern, designed for cutting, is inspired by the semi-trailer tires that Ja used to train with in his childhood backyard. “Athletes are normally looking for comfort and providing that was my goal with the Ja 2. Beyond that, I want them to feel grounded and safe in the shoe, with it supporting them in every way possible, whether you’re making sharp turns or leaping to the rim,” notes Ja.
As for its colorways, while he favored the Swarovski-covered pair of Ja 1s before, the Ja 2 is more personal. The “In the Woods” version, pictured on the far right in the five-shoe group image below, is his early favorite this time around. “It tells the story of where I’m from and is a reference to my grandma’s porch, where my family and I used to hang out at — playing cards, listening to music, everything else. That colorway describes all of that in a special way,” Ja remarks.
Elsewere in the inital range of colorways, a “Purple Sky” pair serves as the launch design and is inspired by Ja’s mesmerizing flow across the court. The black and gray “Foundation” colorway is backed behind his mentality of continuing to put in work when no one is watching. The Halloween-esque “Nightmare” pair is “inspired by the reality that facing Ja on the court is a nightmare for most opponents. The fourth iteration sticks to holiday inspiration, nodding to Christmas as the “Tree Topper” colorway. It arrives in silver and gold, comparing Ja’s ability to soar on the court to the shining stars placed atop trees for the holiday. Lastly, the aforementioned “In the Woods” take on the shoe sports white, purple and brown while serving as a tribute to his family.
“Seeing people play in my shoes or even just wear them around makes my day.”
For Ja, seeing athletes of all types rocking his shoes, “It’s big time — something to be proud of and is something that always puts a smile on my face. Seeing people play in my shoes or even just wear them around makes my day. Me and my people, when we watch basketball and see anybody with them, we are always quick to share about it in our group chat.”
Release for the Nike Ja 2 begins on September 26 via Nike SNKRS in select markets at a price of $120 USD. From there, the sneaker and an accompanying apparel collection will launch globally on October 1.
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