Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant gets his first Nike Ja 1 signature shoe

Ja Morant, the star of the Memphis Grizzlies, got a gift on Christmas Day, but not just any gift! He received his first signature shoe from Nike: the Nike Ja 1, which should debut in April 2023.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ rising superstar joined the very exclusive list of athlete ambassadors entitled to Nike Basketball’s signature shoes in 2019 for whom, the player is its first Generation Z signature athlete and represents the next generation of basketball players shaping the future of the game.

Nike plans to release several colorways of the Nike Ja 1 whose names are very evocative: “Day One” (Cobalt Bliss), “Phantom”, “White Sundial”, “Game Royal”, “Rapid Teal” and “Midnight”.

The Nike Ja 1 “Day One” – seen from the first looks here – is dressed in a light blue colorway with mesh side panels and a pink and yellow sole. The shoe features a rainbow-colored Swoosh and a signature Morant logo depicting a stylized “JA” sitting atop a chevron – the “JA,” inspired by his dynamic precision and determined approach to the game, represents both a directional nod to verticality, speed and sharpness of Morant’s game, and his ability to rise above all obstacles, while the chevron refers to his “Beneath No One” motto that, when he was overlooked and under-recruited in college, fueled the workouts that helped him become a player who defines the future of basketball.

“Nike is honored to partner with Ja Morant to serve the future of athletes and sport,” says Scott Munson, Nike VP, Global Men’s Basketball. “Morant, Nike Basketball’s first Gen Z signature athlete, is a revolutionary player who quickly became a global star with his unmatched athleticism and exciting style of play. His authentic 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 signature roster and can’t wait for everyone to learn more about his first shoe, the Nike Ja 1.”