Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is the latest NBA player to have his signature given by the Nike brand. He was the first Gen Z player to have his signature sneaker.
Ever since he stepped foot on the NBA court, he has done countless highlight plays in the league. There’s no question why Nike gave him his signature shoe at this early stage of his career.
For other NBA superstars, it took quite a while before they eventually got their signature shoe.
If you’re wondering what shoes Ja Morant wore while playing for Memphis Grizzlies during the early stages of his career, then I’ve got you covered. In this article, I will talk about some of the best Ja Morant shoes that I absolutely love.
Ja Morant Shoes: Through the Years
Before he even got his signature shoe, Ja Morant played in plenty of different basketball shoes during the early stages of his career, especially Nike signature sneakers from NBA players.
However, I think it is without a doubt that Ja Morant is a cut above the rest when it comes to talent and skill, so Nike gave him his signature sneaker early in his career.
Memphis Grizzlies: Year One
Shoes he wore:
- Kyrie Signature Lines [Kyrie 6, Kyrie 5, Kyrie 4]
- Kobe Signature Lines [Kobe 4, Kobe 5 ]
- Paul George Signature Lines [PG 2, PG 4]
- Kevin Durant Signature Lines [KD 12, KD 13, KD 4]
- Nike Adapt [Adapt BB 1.0]
Ja Morant spent most of his rookie year hiding behind the shadows of forward Zion Williamson, a fellow rookie and a fellow signature athlete from the Jordan brand.
While Ja Morant and Zion Williamson were two of the most exciting players in the league, there was no question that Zion was ahead of him as the Jordan brand was quick to sign him.
Despite missing this opportunity early in his career, Ja Morant signed a Nike deal right before getting drafted. He was selected second by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA draft.
The buzz surrounding Zion didn’t affect him, as he went on to win the Rookie of the Year award during the season.
Despite having a 34-39 win-loss record, they secured a play-in spot but fell short, losing to Damian Lillard-led Portland Trail Blazers ending their 2019-2020 season.
Throughout the season, Ja Morant wore a lot of signature sneakers by Nike Signature Athletes.
He was mixing and matching and was greatly fond of throwback models like the Kobe 4s and 5s, as well as the KD 4s as well.
Memphis Grizzlies: Year Two
- Kyrie Signature Lines [Kyrie 6, Kyrie 5, Kyrie 4]
- Kobe Signature Lines [Kobe AD, Kobe 5 and 6 Protros, Kobe 10 and 10 Elite]
- Paul George Signature Lines [PG 2, PG 4]
- Kevin Durant Signature Lines [KD IV, KD VI, KD 4]
- Nike Adapt [Adapt BB 1.0 Adapt BB 2.0]
In his sophomore season, Ja Morant picked up the phase and improved in every major statistical category.
Again, the Memphis Grizzlies were steadily improving game by game, and he could rock different versions and colorways of different signature lines.
For the most part, he mostly wore and has grown a liking of the Nike Kobe 9 Elite. Well, who doesn’t like these shoes? These are performance shoes catered to guards that are speedy and shifty.
It was a different type of shoe because of its ultra-high top design, which is odd, considering Ja Morant has been wearing low-top shoes for most of his basketball career.
However, you can always go right with the Kobes. They are close to the ground, responsive, and have great lateral containment, all important attributes if you are a point guard looking to blow by defenders.
In addition, he loved stopping on a dime, which means a shoe should have amazing traction if he is to wear those.
Fortunately, all his worn shoes were notably known for how crazy the on-court tractions are.
Memphis Grizzlies: Year Three
Ja Morant Wore:
- Kyrie Signature Lines [Kyrie 1]
- Kobe Signature Lines [Kobe 6 Protro, Kobe 8 Protro, Kobe 11 Elite]
- Paul George Signature Lines [PG 2.5, PG 3]
- Kevin Durant Signature Lines [KD 4]
- Nike Adapt [Adapt BB 1.0, Adapt BB 2.0]
During Ja Morant’s third season, he was already an established superstar that helped the Memphis Grizzlies improve their record and capture the second seed in the Western Conference.
Like in previous seasons, he is mixing different signature models and has grown fond of the Kyries, KDs, Kobes, and PGs.
However, it was a breath of fresh air as I was able to rock different kinds of throwback models that were also impressive in their own right.
One notable signature he wore was the Kyrie 1s, Kobe 8s, and Kobe 11 Elites.
These were fired from the start, and they were lucky enough as he was able to play with them up to their full potential.
Over his third year, he was also seen wearing the Nike Air Zoom GT Runs, Kyrie 1, and even a Louis Vuitton and a Burberry, adding to his already impressive and glamorous shoe collection.
Memphis Grizzlies: Year Four
Ja Morant Wore:
During his year four, he was well on his way to becoming an MVP contender improving once again in almost all statistical categories.
Expectations were high that Nike would release his very first signature, and expectations were met.
The Nike Ja 1 officially debuted on December 25th, 2022, making him the first Gen-Z player to have his own signature shoe with Nike.
It was during a Christmas game against their fellow western conference rivals, Golden State Warriors.
One of the best features of his signature shoe is the breathable mesh and synthetic overlays that add up to stability, breathability, and containment.
Also, the traction was a key factor, a testament to how Ja picked his shoes before he had his official signature shoe.
According to Nike, the Nike JA 1 was created to keep players in control, reduce landing force, and maximize hang time with additional lockdown benefits.
The midsole infuses a lightweight Phylon with a top-loaded Zoom Air unit to add impact protection, shock absorption, and comfort.
If you want a shoe with stable cushioning and great on-court response, the Nike JA1 has what it takes to elevate your game to the next level.
Ja Morant – Murray State University
Before he was the player he was today, a little bit was known of Ja Morant during his college days.
He suited up for Murray State University for two years, where he developed and became the eventual player he was in the NBA.
During his first two years with Murray State University, he wore the same models during his collegiate campaign, including Kyrie 4s and 5s, KD 11s, and the Nike Hyperdunk 2017.
During his second year, the boosters were set, and the media was sent into a frenzy for his marvelous play for Murray State.
He doubled his averages during his second year and was ultimately on the radar to be the #1 overall pick in the draft.
Soon after the season ended, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft and was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as the 2nd overall pick.
What Is the Best Basketball Shoe Ja Morant Wore?
The KD IVs were one of his favorite signature shoes to date. During the entirety of his signing with Nike, he has been seen rocking different colorways of this iconic piece that Leo Chang designed for KD.
The KD IV was released in the 2011-2012 NBA season, and ten years later, Ja Morant once again showed why it was one of the best signature shoes from Kevin Durant. It has great traction as well as design.
Its upper strap provided plenty of lateral support and containment while offering superior fit and ventilation. The selling point of this signature shoe is its traction; these were grippy and almost felt like they would hurt your foot once you stopped running.
During the 2021-2022 NBA season, he wore the Nike KD IV in 22 games. That speaks pretty much to how he liked this pair of shoes. It was not only one of his most-played sneakers of the season but also of the previous seasons as well.
On top of KD’s lines, he also liked most of Kyrie’s signature shoes, especially the Kyrie 4, which is a great-performing shoe. From the Kyries down to Kobes, one thing is common regarding his favorite sneakers: they were all in low-top designs.
Conclusion
Ja Morant has been wreaking havoc ever since he stepped foot on the NBA court. He has been among the rising superstars fortunate enough to be given a signature early in his career.
His first JA1 has been met with positive reviews and was notable for its impressive traction and performance on and off the court.
This article of mine should summarize Ja Morant’s basketball shoes throughout his career so far in the NBA. Whilst I couldn’t list everything, it surely has all the shoes he wore, mostly during his more memorable performances.
Feature Image credit: Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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