In light of all the controversy surrounding Ja Morant, Nike has continued to stand by the star. The Swoosh has placed a lot of faith in Morant and his signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 1, with colorways still releasing after the news that he would be serving a 25-game suspension to start the current NBA season. With this suspension concluding on December 19, Nike and Morant will be celebrating with the release of a new Christmas-themed rendition of the Ja 1. Previously, Morant sported this colorway himself, though with slightly different features.
The Nike Ja 1 Christmas is a vibrant blend of holiday themes and basketball performance. It features a rich purple mesh base, setting the stage for a visually striking smokey graphic in an emerald hue adorning the mudguard. This festive pair follows in the footsteps of the Ja 1 Smoke as the lateral heels feature Ja’s signature “TMT” instead of the phrase “We ain't ducking no smoke. We run up the chimney.” The phrase was visible when Ja was rocking the sneaker at the end of 2022.
Atop the tongue, Morant's logo is split into different colors, while the Nike Swoosh maintains a classic black finish. The holiday spirit continues on the heel tab, which sports a unique brick graphic and “12” embroidered in split colors. Inside, the sneaker pays homage to both Christmas and Morant's bold statement, "We run up the chimney," with an icy chimney graphic alongside Morant's logo. The design is completed by an emerald rise foam midsole and a purple rubber outsole, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and functional excellence on the court.
Originally slated to release on December 26, the Nike Ja 1 Christmas will now release on December 19, 2023, through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $110. Keep up with the latest sneaker releases, raffles, and news by downloading the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Nike Ja 1 Christmas
Images via Nike
