Where do you go when you find gold? Is shipping sufficient? Or are there additional depths to discover? What’s more, the quest for greatness is comprehensive, from hardwood to design studios and test labs in Beaverton, OR.
Ja Morant’s first signature sneaker set the bar high. Clean colors and a smooth, comfortable ride marked the widespread adoption of the low-top sneaker, from the high school circuit to college and NBA arenas. The debut built on a solid foundation that has seen success since its debut, and for the follow-up, Nike Men’s Global Head of Basketball Footwear Design Jarrett Mann and Ja found more territory to explore.
“Ja 2 builds on a lot of the fundamentals of Ja 1 and its playstyle,” says Mann. “We know Jah is a high flyer and we also know he changes direction and requires control. So really, these shoe icons were all about jumping and control.”
Ja reinforced his signature series checklist during the 1st process. Comfort, stability, respect for his family, and a host of other things come through the Ja 2’s evolved lens.
To support the L’s highest-flying bunnies, the Ja 2 doubles down on its front Air Zoom unit, incorporating a full-length Cushlon cushioning system. Other comfort improvements include a more pronounced ankle snake system, sleek waterfall-inspired inner lining and a ballistic mesh vamp. But the sneaker’s signature feature is the ribbed midfoot. The molded aesthetic is more than just for show, bringing functional support as the model’s primary locking system for the 25-year-old, who regularly defies the laws of gravity. Couple that with a raised sidewall guard rail and a stitched mid-panel, and the checklist is pretty much complete.
“Definitely the comfort level is the first thing I notice when I put the shoe on. That’s the first thing everyone looks for,” says Ja. “Once I got into those shoes, I felt really comfortable in them. After that it would connect them and get it right. Making sure I can do everything I normally do on the court when you see me play and I was able to do it at a very good level. And that was the whole point with Ja 2, to make sure I was the best Ja out there on the floor.”
Improvements have been made, but “the fundamentals always remain the same,” Jah says. “My checklist locked in stone. We know that every time we go into a room to talk about the Ja (line). So really, what other stories am I comfortable expressing through my shoes?”
The Nike Ja 1 served as a testament to his rise. Those images of sun-stained cones, flipping tires that inspired the traction model of the 2s, and the 12 a.m. workouts now embroidered on the heel are still there. The Nike Ja 2 amplifies those experiences and the quest for more, delving into the power of the palette and its trove of stories.
On top of the personal memories is a collection of shades and hues that aim to evoke the same emotions we all feel when watching No 12. and paint-spattered partitions that echo scenes of the night sky.
The bright red, gold and black “Nightmare” composition depicts the nocturnal reality of Ja’s opponents; an unstoppable display of speed, leaping and will that you can’t put down. Hits of light grey, icy blues and metallic gold depict her journeys to the top in the Tree Topper colorway. But of all the upcoming releases, the one Ja is most excited about is introducing the people closest to him.
“In the Woods is probably one of my favorites and pretty much the biggest for anyone who knows me or my family and how we get along,” Ja says. “Where I’m from, we call it ‘The Forest.’ And it’s pretty much sitting around the cook and we’re all there just bonding, listening to music, you play cards. It’s a lot of fun.”
When asked how the chosen colors tie in with memories of South Carolina, Ja points to the light brown accents, royal blue lining and evergreen collar lining. “You’ll see dirt,” laughs Ja. “And then my grandmother’s porch and the color of the house. It’s all there.”
And as Mann explains, using different textures and finishes only enhances the end result.
“Weaving is extremely important and the whole team is passionate about the work. Something simple like In The Woods, you have a textile that feels a little rougher and more tactile,” says Mann as she floats a Ja 2 colorway heel in front of the camera.
“And if you look at the ‘Purple Sky’ color, you get this sparkle and shine with the star graphics. So really, this shoe, as you can see, you’re going to see a ton of colors, a ton of expression brought to life with those materials. (There’s) a lot more to come, but definitely we’re looking at how we interpret the things we’re hearing from Jay and put them into the shoes.”
It turns out Ja and Swoosh have hit another gold mine.
Photos via Nike and SLAM KICKS.
