Grizzlies star Ja Morant to debut Nike Ja 1’s in Christmas game

Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant will debut his first signature shoe with Nike as his team plays in the first-ever Christmas Day game in franchise history.

“Not many people have achieved that just by being able to own a Nike signature shoe,” Morant said. is.”

The Grizzlies will take on the Golden State Warriors on ABC and ESPN at 8 PM ET. Morant will be the first to lace his namesake sneakers in a vibrant blue color scheme with gold, pink, lime green and red accents.

On Christmas Eve, he hinted at his debut by posting a gift from his daughter Kari on social media, wrapping it in a repeating pattern featuring his new signature logo. His daughter’s name is also engraved on the inside of the shoe.

🎄🎁👀 pic.twitter.com/vRpFRqyD91

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 25, 2022

While the design and development process for a signature shoe typically takes about 18 to 24 months, Morant debuted the Nike Ja 1 early and expects the shoe not to hit retail until late 2023. Retailer launch calendar. The shoes are expected to cost $110.

“I think the most important thing is telling a story,” Morant said. “Obviously, it’s about finding a way to get my fans and people who support me to access Ja and find out what’s going on in my life and what I’m doing. Combined with Nike, it was crazy to put them all in a shoe.

Morant became the 23rd NBA athlete in league history to receive his own signature sneaker from Nike. Paul his George in 2017 and Kylie his Irving in 2014 are the last two of him to launch their own shoes. The brand touts Morant as “Nike’s first generation Z signature his athlete in basketball,” and recently featured the Grizzlies star in a 50th anniversary campaign while looking ahead to the company’s future. .

“[Ja Morant] Scott Manson, Nike’s vice president of global men’s basketball, said: He’s very special – on and off the court. We’re thrilled to add Morant to our signature roster and can’t wait for everyone to learn more about his first shoe, the Nike Ja 1. ”

This sneaker features a low-top silhouette with a mesh and leather upper and reinforced support panels along the forefoot. His signature ‘JA’ logo can be seen along the tongue tab. A stylized font is placed over a chevron to represent the rise of the 23-year-old South Carolina native as an overlooked player and the mantra of the Morantz family.

“When I was a kid, whenever I wondered if I was good enough, my parents would say, ‘You’re second to none,'” he said of the motto he tattooed on his left arm. , and I want everyone to feel that way when they wear the Ja 1. It means you’re not below anyone.”