The Nike Ja 3 is bold, fearless and built for flight, furthering Ja Morant’s signature footwear lineage with a new look that both advances his game and fuels the style and performance of the next generation of playmakers.
Building off the success of Ja’s first two signature silhouettes, Nike designers created a third-generation style that maximizes comfort and support, helping Ja and players like him rise above the rigors of a full season of takeoffs, landings and lateral movement.
The Ja 3 was also engineered to showcase Ja’s standard of bold, energetic design, channelling his hands-on creative approach into a silhouette that speaks to his ongoing contributions at the leading edge of sneaker culture.
“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.”
The new silhouette builds on the “scratch” design from Ja’s previous two signature models, with purpose-built perforations throughout the lightweight mesh upper providing enhanced breathability that serves Ja and all hoopers when the game heats up.
The upper transitions seamlessly into a translucent rubber cup sole that provides a glimpse of the innovative midsole: a full-length combination of ZoomX foam layered over ZoomX scrap materials, providing responsiveness and comfort for Ja’s trademark explosiveness.
Further, a new micro-traction outsole pattern is inspired by Ja’s signature bulldog crossover, biting into the court when he changes direction.
“I’m reading the game way better now — slowing it down when I need to, attacking when I see the opening,” said Ja. “The Ja 3 matches that. It’s got that balance: Speed when I need it, control when I need to switch gears.”
Ja’s Nike signature logo takes form in a monogram pattern that overwhelms the shoe from top to bottom, pairing with a vertical Swoosh that creates a “JA” inscription on the lateral side of the shoe. A timeless Ja quote adorns each outsole: “A happy Ja is a scary Ja” on the right; “I’m not even worried about proving them wrong” on the left. His jersey number (12) is also referenced on the outsole, with a “1” centred on the left outsole and a “2” on the right.
These design elements draw out Ja’s bold personality, building on the creativity of the Ja 1 and Ja 2 silhouettes to create a bold on-court style and fresh contribution to sneaker culture.
“When you put on the Ja 3, I want you to feel fearless,” said Ja. “Like you can go create your own story — on the court, off it. Just be you, loud and proud. That’s what I’m about. No limits, no second guessing. Just go.”
Ja unveiled the Ja 3 on April 20 during the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The silhouette will be available globally this fall.
