Ja Morant Takes Us Back Behind the Nike Ja 2 Design

Where do you go when you get the gold? Is the move satisfying enough? Or is there another depth you can find? Want more, greatness, covers everything, from hardwood to design studios and testing labs in Beaverton, OR.

Ja Morant’s first signature sneaker set the bar high. Clean colors and a comfortable ride have sealed the low-top sneaker’s wide acceptance from the high school circuit to college and NBA arenas. The debut is built on a clear cut foundation that screamed success from its inception, and in the next one, Jarrett Mann, Head of Nike Men’s World Soccer Footwear Design, and Ja find more places to explore.

“Ja 2 builds on a lot of the basics of Ja 1 and his style of play,” Mann said. “We know that Ja is the best player, and we know that he is changing the way he wants to control. Therefore, the icons of this shoe were about jump and control. ”

Ja reinforced the checklist in his signature series throughout the 1 process. Comfort, stability, respect for his family and a number of other things appear in Ja 2 through a modified lens.

To support high-flying rabbits at L, the Ja 2 doubles down on the front Air Zoom unit by incorporating a full-length Cushlon cushioning system. Other comfort enhancements include a more prominent ankle collar system, a smooth waterfall inner lining and a ballistic mesh vamp. But the sneaker’s signature remains on the ribbed midfoot panel. The molded beauty is more than just for show, it provides functional support as a basic lid system for the 25-year-old who often escapes the laws of gravity. Pair that with a raised side guardrail and a stitched center panel, and the checklist is almost complete.

“Definitely the level of comfort is the first thing I notice when I put on a shoe. It’s the first thing everyone looks at,” said Ja. “When I got into those shoes, I felt comfortable in them. After that, it was downhill and straight. To make sure I can do everything I normally do on the pitch when you see me play, and I’ve been able to do that at a very good level. And that was the whole goal with Ja 2, to make sure I was the best Ja out there. “

Progress has been made, but “the important things remain the same,” said Ja. “My checklist, it’s locked in stone. We know that every time we go into a room to talk about Ja [line]. So what other stories am I free to tell about my shoes?”

The Nike Ja 1 served as a testament to his rise. Those images of sun-stained cones, flip tires–which inspired the 2s traction pattern–and 12 am workouts, now emblazoned on the heel, are still there. The Nike Ja 2 amplifies that experience and demands more by delving into the power of the palette and the richness of his stories.

On top of the personal memories there is a collection of shades and tones that aim to evoke the same feelings we all have when looking at the number 12. The color “Purple Sky paints that court energy in a galactic collection of plums, neon Swooshes inappropriate. and the midsoles are painted with paint that echoes the night sky.

The bold red, gold and black colorway of “Nightmare” captures the nighttime reality of Ja’s opponents: an unstoppable display of speed, hops and a will you can’t shake. Light gray, blue and metallic gold hits watch his journey to the top in the “Tree Topper” colorway. But in all future releases, the one Ja is most excited about represents those closest to him.

“‘In the Woods’ is probably one of my favorites and a big one for anyone who knows me or my family and how we get along,” said Ja. “We call where I’m from home ‘The Woods.’ And it’s great sitting in the kitchen and all of us just being together, listening to music, playing cards. Very sweet.”

When asked how the color choices relate to those South Carolina memories, Ja points to the light brown highlights, royal blue Swooshes and evergreen collar stripe. “You’ll see dirt,” laughed Ja. “Then there is the grandmother’s porch and the color of the house. Everything is there.”

And as Mann explains, using different textures and finishes enhances the end result.

“The way of doing it is very important, and the whole team is watching the work. “Something as simple as ‘In the Woods,’ you have a fabric that feels strong and tactile,” says Mann, as she floats a Ja 2-colored heel in front of the camera.

“And when you look at the color “Purple Sky”, you get this glow and sparkle with star patterns. So, this shoe as you see it, you’ll see a ton of colors, a ton of talk about everything that’s lived through those things. [There’s] there’s more to come, but definitely, we’re looking at how we translate the things we hear from Ja and put them into the shoe.”

Turns out, Ja and the Swoosh hit another gold mine.

Images via Nike and SLAM KICKS.