Ja Morant, the NBA’s latest superstar on the court and in the sneaker game. As his new signature shoe, the Ja 3 officially launched and it’s making waves. Morant is Nike Basketball’s first Gen Z signature shoe athlete. Today, he inspires and relates to a younger generation of fans and athletes, not just on the court, but more importantly off of it. The Ja 3 made its NBA debut during the first round of the NBA playoffs on April 20th. The idea has caught fire almost overnight and budding young ballers are already calling it “one of them ones.”
The Ja 3, now in the show-stopping “Price of AdmissionJA” colorway, is already taking market by storm. In its first full month, the shoe is at a 10% higher sell through than the Ja 2. It happens to be an amazing 421% higher than the Ja 1. Marked at $125, it’s the reselling king, averaging a $45 per pair resale premium, selling for an average of $170 per pair.
Morant’s brand received an additional jolt as the Ja 2 became a commercial success. This shoe turned out to be the fifth most popular shoe in the WNBA during the 2025 season. With 24 female athletes in contention, the shoe’s widespread gender neutrality was on display. The Ja 2 was used by 46 unique players league-wide. This remarkable accomplishment makes it the all time tenth most popular basketball shoe.
The iterative design process behind the Ja 3 embodies Morant’s artistic mastery and influence. His design team, led by Nethongkome, aimed to create a shoe that conveyed Morant’s energy even before it was worn. Nethongkome documented his design process on Instagram where he noted, “Even the typeface we used was Ja.”
During the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Murray State University, Nike surprised Morant with a special edition of his Ja 2 model. Nike’s commitment to Morant became apparent during that momentous occasion of his career.
“A happy Ja is a scary Ja.” – Ja Morant
The Ja 3 features one special detail that nods to classic designs from all throughout Nike’s storied past. You’ll notice the same big and bold “AIR” lettering on the lateral sides, just like its 1996 predecessor—the Nike Air More Uptempo. This reference to the past makes Morant’s shoes a perfect bridge between old-school fans and new-school fans.
Beyond its beauty, the Ja 3 has received multiple awards for its performance. And no one was more impressed than Chris Chase, @NightWing2303, who rated the shoe a phenomenal 9 out of 10. He even had the boldness to label it his “shoe of the year.”
Morant has struggled this NBA season due to injury. He displays remarkable poise and composure both on and off the court. On the field, he has redefined himself as one of the best pass defenders in the game. He’s a fashion icon—one that continues to shape the culture surrounding the sport.
The ethos behind Morant’s designs is encapsulated in his own words:
“I told them, ‘Don’t be scared. Push it. Make it rugged, make it different.’ And they ran with it.” – Ja Morant
This philosophy lead the creative process for both Ja 2 and Ja 3 model. Beyond the floor, the shoes represent Morant’s path of faith and purpose, which moves him toward success on and off the court.
Morant is growing up as a player and a person, and perhaps as an influencer. His trademark phrase will surely continue to lead the way in making early trends with later iterations in Nike basketball shoe history. The Ja 3 is a testament to his astounding creativity. It appeals to a millennial and Gen Z demographic that values authenticity in sports apparel.
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