Ja Morant debuts his first signature shoe with Nike

Nike and Grizzlies G Ja Morant revealed an early look at Morant's "first signature sneaker" on Christmas Day during the team's away game against the Warriors, according to Damichael Cole of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Morant is the fifth active player among "Nike athletes with a signature shoe," joining Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lakers F LeBron James, Nets F Kevin Durant and Clippers F Paul George. He is the "first point guard to join the Nike signature shoe ranks since 2014," and the "23rd overall player to get a signature shoe" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/25). Cole in a separate piece noted the Ja 1 is "expected to release globally in April of 2023." Morant and the Nike design team "had been working more than two years on the sneaker and marketing plans around it." Morant's logo "features the letters JA above a chevron." The Ja 1 has a similar low-cut model, but the "performative goals mimic those that you would expect of a sneaker from Morant." He wanted the shoe to "support his ability to cut, jump, dunk and perform crossovers" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 12/25). ESPN’s Nick DePaula wrote the Ja 1 has a “bright blue colorway, with gold, pink, lime green and red accents.” Morant’s daughter Kaari’s name “is also stamped on the inner half of the shoe.” Several colorways "are slated for spring and summer 2023 on retailer launch calendars." The shoe is "expected to be priced at $110" (ESPN.com, 12/25).