NBA star Ja Morant has unveiled his newest JA 1 Nike releases – the “Midnight” & “Scratch” editions – that has been eagerly anticipated by fans all over the world.
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Installation at Mount 12 In Salt Lake City
During the NBA’s All-Star weekend, brands take advantage of the opportunity to showcase the latest offerings from their basketball collections. Nike, having debuted Ja Morant’s signature shoe less than two months ago, released the silhouette’s first two colourways and created a massive pop-up installation called Mt. 12Skii to commemorate the Utah landscape and Morant’s work ethic. The collaboration between Nike Basketball and SNKRS features a giant, all-white monument in the shape of the Nike Ja 1, an iced-out 12 chain presented to the two-time All-Star, and a Grizzle head.
The installation includes a hyper-realistic block of ice that replicates Morant outside the space, and a decked-out ice museum that is kept at a cool 30 degrees to preserve the frozen artefact walls encasing rims, drill cones, weight plates, and an ice luge that delivers both the “Midnight” and “Scratch” versions of the Ja 1. The Nike Ja 1 was designed for the next generation of playmakers, with forefoot lockdown panels that reduce landing force while maximizing hangtime. Personal handwritten notes from Morant are featured throughout the upcoming slate of colourways, acknowledging his friends, family, and community, known as Team Morant.
The Ja Morant JA 1 Sneakers
The Nike Ja 1 “Scratch” honours the history of the Grizzlies’ roots with a turquoise, red, and brown palette, reminiscent of the team’s early seasons in Vancouver. A claw scratch graphic pays tribute to Morant’s aggressive and above-the-rim style of play, which earned him the title of reigning Most Improved Player. As Nike’s first Gen Z signature athlete, Morant’s shoe is poised to empower the next generation of basketball players.
Earlier this week, the Ja 1 “Midnight” was given a preview and then subsequently released exclusively through a SNRKS drop. This version of the shoe features a Swoosh covered in Swarovski crystals, a hang tag, and a 12AM dubrae, and is dressed in all-black to draw inspiration from Ja’s midnight workouts. The shoe is finished off with an icy blue translucent outsole, and the phrase “ITS 12AM SOMEWHERE” is handwritten in black and red underneath. Additionally, Mt. 12Skii will be open until Sunday, offering exclusive SNKRS drops of other shoes and custom Ja merchandise. Take a look at the official photos below for an exclusive look at both the Nike Ja 1 “Midnight” and Scratch”, as well as the space itself. In other news from the Beaverton-based brand, check out Jayson Tatum’s Jordan JT 1.
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