Nike Ja basketball runners

Ja Morant basketball shoes

Ja Morant signed with Nike in 2019 after a hugely successful college career. Known for his fearless attitude and stunning athleticism, Morant had an instant impact, winning Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player, helping the Memphis Grizzlies return to the Playoffs and earning his All-Star debut all in his first three seasons. By his fourth, he was preparing for the release of his signature basketball shoe, the Nike Ja 1.

The Ja 1 was designed to support Morant’s dynamic movement and powerful jumping abilities. Its ballistic mesh upper featured cushioned guardrails, lateral reinforcements and reliable lockdown, while its herringbone-style tread delivered the traction required for his fast-paced game. A lightweight Phylon midsole with responsive forefoot Zoom Air offered propulsion and impact protection, with bold aesthetic touches and storytelling details making his first signature silhouette a captivating lifestyle option as well. He showcased its performance capabilities in a strong performance during the 2022 holiday season ahead of the release of the ‘Day One’ colourway, whose suave blue upper and vibrant highlights set the standard for the Ja line’s fashion-forward future.

Morant thrived in the Nike Ja 1, setting franchise records and making the All-Star team for a second consecutive season. Injuries and off-court controversies restricted him to just nine games in 2023-24, but his popularity remained high, so when the Ja 2 came out in September 2024, it was another sought-after shoe. Featuring upgraded Cushlon foam and plush upper padding alongside sidewall guardrails and moulded midfoot panels, it offered greater comfort, responsiveness, impact protection and stability, while its grippy new tread pattern was inspired by the lorry tyres Morant trained with as a youth, thus expanding the series’ storytelling details.

Morant’s next signature shoe put the Grizzlies front and centre through striking, scratch-themed slash marks formed of repeating ‘Ja’ logos. These added durable support along the sidewalls before extending into the midsole to create lateral stability while protecting its soft, energy-returning ZoomX foam. Ja’s famous bulldog crossover informed the multidirectional traction, and the dramatically angled Swoosh combined with the monogram panelling to spell out ‘Ja’ on the flank. He debuted the colourful Ja 3 ‘Max Volume’ edition in April 2025, having once again led his team to the Playoffs.

Despite continued injury setbacks, Morant continued to champion the next generation through his youth basketball program, Twelve Time. At an event for Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League in July 2026, he revealed the all-new Ja 4 to an audience of up-and-coming players, demonstrating its durable haptic upper, energising Cushlon 3.0 midsole and supercritical foam sockliner. Its innovative Ja-Frame provides excellent stability for fast, dynamic movements and produces a stunning aesthetic that marks Morant’s new chapter with the Portland Trail Blazers, making it the perfect representation of his ever-evolving journey.

The Nike Ja is a charismatic basketball shoe franchise built around explosive cushioning, firm lateral support, exceptional traction and distinctive aesthetics for an eye-catching effect both on and off the court.