Ja Morant had quite a turbulent 2023, reaching new heights with the release of his first signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 1, and facing lows with a 25-game suspension due to controversial Instagram Live incidents. Despite these challenges, Nike has stood by his side, continuing to launch new iterations of the Nike Ja 1, even with Morant sidelined at the start of 2024 due to a shoulder injury. Nearly a year and a half since its debut, the Nike Ja 1 is making way for its successor, the Nike Ja 2, debuting during Nike's Holiday 2024 season. After initial reports of the Black Phantom colorway, we now have our first look at the new silhouette in the Stargazer colorway.
The Nike Ja 2 Stargazer features an outer space-inspired color palette of purple with white accents. The sneaker's construction has been significantly overhauled from its predecessor. The upper showcases a molded synthetic material across the midfoot with a wavy linear pattern, while leather overlays reinforce the toe. The toebox features a ballistic mesh finish. Unlike the original Ja 1, the Swoosh no longer extends from the upper near the heel but ends before the 12 AM branded heel tab. Ankle padding and a waterfall collar lining add comfort to the sneaker, while the medial side of the upper features an engineered textile for added breathability.
Ja Morant's logo is prominently displayed atop the tongue. The midsole, reminiscent of the Kobe 5 design, features an outer space speckle pattern near the toe and heel, with exposed foam in the middle portion. Inside sits a full-length foam cushioning setup, the exact type used not known at the time of this writing, while the forefoot features an Air Zoom unit. Rounding out the look is the grippy rubber outsole that features traction inspired by tractor tire treads near the toe and a cored-out arch in the shape of a Swoosh to reduce the weight of the sneaker.
The Nike Ja 2 Stargazer will release on October 8, 2024, through Nike and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men’s, gradeschool, and preschool sizing, the retail price is set at $120, $92, and $82, respectively. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Nike Ja 2 Stargazer
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In this article
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
