Latest news with #Ja2
Forbes
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Nike And Ja Morant Unveil ‘Ja 3' Sneakers That Are Just As Explosive As Him
Ja 3 Ja Morant's name may be ubiquitous in sports headlines, but he's now drawing similar attention in the sneaker world with the release of his latest Nike collaboration. The Nike "Ja 3" marks the third installment in his signature line, following the success of the Ja 1 and Ja 2 silhouettes. Morant and Nike unveiled the Ja 3 on April 20, 2025, during the NBA playoffs—when all eyes are on the court and the shoes helping him shine. With the unveiling of the Ja 3, Nike and Ja Morant aren't just releasing another basketball shoe—they're crafting a feeling with Morant mentioning that he wants consumers to feel "fearless." Building on the uniform of the 'Scratch' motif from his first two signature models, the Ja 3 arrives as a developed design that feels both intensely personal and just as unapologetic as Morant. A newly sculpted outsole, inspired by Morant's bulldog crossover, brings a tactical edge to the silhouette, while a full-length ZoomX foam midsole ensures the kind of spring-loaded responsiveness that is needed for Morant's signature dunk. But beyond performance, there's symbolism. The Ja 3 is a reflection of Morant himself—fiery, explosive, impossible to ignore. Think: his controversial grenade celly during a game. Nike puts it briefly: 'The Ja 3 was engineered to showcase Ja's standard of bold, energetic design, channeling his hands-on creative approach into a silhouette that speaks to his ongoing contributions to sneaker culture.' Morant chimes in: 'I told the Nike design team I needed something that talks before I even lace it up,' says Ja. 'I wanted my third signature shoe to feel like my game and my personality. I told them, 'Don't be scared. Push it. Make it rugged, make it different.' And they ran with it.' Ja 3 The Ja 3 introduces a newly engineered micro-traction outsole—The design quite literally bites into the hardwood, gripping with tenacity as he shifts direction, creating the kind of ground control that's not only needed when playing basketball, but when climbing, hiking, and any other movement based activities where you rely on traction. 'I'm reading the game way better now — slowing it down when I need to, attacking when I see the opening,' says Ja. "The Ja 3 matches that. It's got that balance: Speed when I need it, control when I need to switch gears." Just as he's a visible force on the court, Ja Morant's presence is deeply felt in his latest signature sneaker. The Ja 3 features his monogram pattern across the electric pink upper, making a bold visual statement. According to Nike, the design is detailed "from top to bottom," including a vertical Swoosh that forms a 'JA' inscription on the lateral side of the shoe. Each outsole carries one of Morant's signature quotes: 'A happy Ja is a scary Ja' on the right, and 'I'm not even worried about proving them wrong' on the left. His jersey number, 12, is also subtly incorporated, with a '1' centered on the left outsole and a '2' on the right. Although he happened to debut them during the infamous Grizzlies loss eliminating them from the playoffs, the fiery pink sneaker with advanced micro-traction outsoles and comfortability will most likely live on to see another win.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
First look: Grizzlies' Ja Morant debuts new Nike Ja 3 signature shoe in NBA playoffs vs OKC
First look: Grizzlies' Ja Morant debuts new Nike Ja 3 signature shoe in NBA playoffs vs OKC OKLAHOMA CITY ― Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant walked into the Paycom Center on Sunday morning with a new Nike shoebox in his right hand. Inside the box was Morant's new Ja 3 signature sneaker. A day after unveiling his third shoe model, Morant is wearing his new Ja 3s for the first time during Game 1 of a playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Morant told Nike that he wanted his third sneaker to be "rugged" and "different." He walked into the arena on Sunday wearing a hoodie that stated, "block out the noise." The "Max Volume" Ja 3s are mostly a dark pink and purple colorway. Morant first debuted the Nike Ja 1 on Christmas in 2022. Then came the Ja 2 in July 2024. A release date has not been set for the public for the Ja 3, but Morant will likely continue to unveil colorways during the Grizzlies' playoff run. Memphis opens its playoff action against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday (12 p.m., ABC). Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies' Ja Morant debuts Nike Ja 3 in NBA playoffs vs OKC Thunder
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Exciting Ja Morant News Revealed Amid NBA Playoffs
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies are set to begin their first-round playoff series on Sunday, facing the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in a best-of-seven matchup. Morant was impressive in Friday night's play-in victory over the Dallas Mavericks, posting 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds to help secure Memphis' spot in the postseason. Advertisement Despite missing 32 games in the regular season, Morant contributed significantly to the Grizzlies finishing with a 48-34 record. On Saturday night, the eve of Game 1, Morant made headlines with some exciting news for the NBA community. Nick DePaula from Boardroom helped share the news for Morant: "Ja Morant will debut his 3rd Nike signature shoe to begin the Playoffs." Morant spoke more with Boardroom's DePaula about the new sneakers, offering insight into his creative vision for the design: "I told them, 'Don't be scared. Push it. Make it rugged, make it different.' And they ran with it,'. Advertisement The star guard has already released multiple basketball shoe models under his Nike partnership, including the Ja 2 "Black Label" edition, which dropped during NBA All-Star Weekend. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Morant has been a cornerstone of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise since being selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Since then, the electrifying guard has earned two NBA All-Star selections and was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020. This season, Morant averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game, despite a shortened campaign due to injury and suspension. The Grizzlies are aiming to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Advertisement Related: Luka Doncic's Message on Anthony Davis After Lakers Game Related: LeBron James Sends Three-Word Message to Austin Reaves About Lakers Game
