NIKE HAS dropped the first look at their newest pair of basketball kicks, the Ja 1. Decked in a mesh upper in Grizzlies blue, pastel-colored soles, and a swaggy Swoosh, the Ja 1 “Day One” will drop globally on April 2023.
Take a look at these snazzy new lows in Nike’s Instagram post below.
With “12 AM” printed across the heel, the “Day One” colorway represents Morant’s “dedication to the game and his roots,” explained Nike.
The brand also said that the shoes were designed to "maximize hang time", and reduce the impact from big landings via a locked-down fit.
Giving their shoes their hardcourt binyag was Ja Morant, rocking a purple colorway for his Christmas Day game against the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, GSW spoiled the shoe’s big debut as Jordan Poole and co. outdueled the Grizzlies, 123-109.
Ja 1 set to drop next year
With Nike's PGs and Zoom Freaks now in their fourth edition (and older lines like LeBron already on the 20th), the Ja 1 perhaps represents a generational shift in Nike Basketball's roster of signature shoes. In fact, Nike is already referring to Morant as their first “Gen Z athlete.”
“It’s a shoe for underdogs who have the dawg in them,” said Morant in a statement. “Kicks for anyone who has ever been underrated or overlooked, who’s been told they’re too small, or their dreams too big.”
Of course, the Ja 1 — which has been in the works for two years — is perhaps filling in a big gap in Nike’s hoops selection after Kyrie Irving was dropped by the global shoe brand back last month. Numerous Instagram comments on Nike’s Ja 1 reveal referenced Irving.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph