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Nick DePaulaGAME
Grizzly Memphis All-Star Point Guardian Ja Morant will debut his first signature shoe with Nike when his team appears in the first Christmas Day game in franchise history.
“Just getting a signature shoe with Nike, not many people can get there,” says Morant. “It was definitely an important milestone for me and one that I will never forget.”
Grizzlies facing golden empire warriors on ABC and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. Morant will lace his eponymous sneakers for the first time in a bright blue tone, with gold, pink, lime green and red accents.
On Christmas Eve, he teased his debut by posting on social media a gift from his daughter Kaari, wrapped in a repeat pattern featuring his new signature logo. His daughter’s name is also stamped on the inside half of the shoe.
🎄🎁👀 pic.twitter.com/vRpFRqyD91
– Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 25, 2022
While the process of designing and developing a signature shoe typically takes around 18-24 months, Morant will be releasing the Nike Ja 1 soon, and the shoe is not expected to hit retail until now. through the end of 2023. Several colorways are expected to launch in spring and summer of 2023 on the retailer launch schedule. The shoes are expected to cost $110.
“I feel the most important thing is telling a story,” says Morant. “Obviously finding a way for my fans and supporters to reach out to Ja and see what’s going on in my life and who I am. Working with Nike to bring all of that together. into a crazy pair of shoes.”
Morant will become the 23rd NBA player in league history to receive his own signature sneakers with Nike. Paul George in 2017 and Kyrie Irving 2014 was the last two to launch their own shoes. The brand touted Morant as “Nike Basketball’s First Generation Z Athlete” and recently featured the Grizzlies star in the company’s 50th anniversary and forward-looking campaign. .
“[Ja Morant] “He was a revolutionary player who quickly became a global star with unmatched athleticism and style,” said Scott Munson, Nike’s global vice president of men’s basketball. the way he plays, he’s special — on and off the court. We’re excited to add Morant to our signature roster and can’t wait to find out more about our first shoe. him, Nike Ja 1.”
The sneakers have a low-cut look, with a mesh and leather upper and reinforced midsole along the forefoot. His signature “JA” logo can be found along the reed tab. The stylized font is placed above a V, representing the 23-year-old’s rise as an overlooked player from South Carolina and the Morants family mantra.
“As a kid, whenever I wondered if I was good enough, my parents would say, ‘You’re no less,'” he says of the motto now tattooed on his left arm. “And that’s how I want people to feel when they wear the Ja 1 — that they’re second to none.”
