Temetrius Jamel Morant (Ja Morant) is one of the most successful NBA players. In his 4-year career, he has been nothing short of remarkable. Additionally, his scoring skill, high-flying dunks, and electric plays on both sides of the floor place him ahead of his peers. Therefore, it's no surprise that the Memphis Grizzlies star has a great shoe collection. So what shoes does Ja Morant wear?
A Breakdown of Ja Morant's Shoe Collection
1) First Signature Shoe: Nike Ja 1
- Nike Men's Basketball Shoe Ja 1
- Color: Phantom/Action-Green
- SKU: DR8785 001
As Nike Basketball's first Gen Z signature athlete, this Ja Morant Nike Ja 1 focuses on three performance areas: dynamic lockdown, responsive ride, and support for landing. Additionally, the upper is built primarily with a breathable mesh with some overlays for aesthetics and stability. Nike's focus on the rest of the shoe features its containment features and remarkable traction, which make sense for a player like Morant.
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In terms of shoe cushioning, the Nike Ja 1 has a reactive cushioning setup that combines a Phylon midsole and a small rectangular zoom unit in the forefoot. This feature is similar to the Nike Kyrie 1. Of course, the shoe sole is the most impressive part of this shoe. It's made from relatively durable and tacky rubber, making it easier to make sharp turns.
While Nike hasn’t officially released any information regarding the tech specs, the Nike Ja 1, complete with its logo, is supposedly made to reduce landing force through lockdown benefits, keep players in control, and maximize hang time. Additionally, this signature sneaker retails for $110, which is reasonable for signature shoes. However, the price point means that the materials are the shoe's weakest areas.
2) Nike Kobe 6 Protro
- The Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” is one of the most popular and desirable colorways of any of Kobe Bryant’s signature performance basketball shoes with Nike
- Originally debuted by Bryant on December 24, 2010 during the Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat showdown, the Nike Kobe 6 Protro “Grinch” was brought back by Nike Basketball a decade later as the...
- The updated version of the design modeled after the grumpy Dr
- Seuss character features the same scaly snake-inspired electric green upper as the OG “Grinch” colorway
- Other details include a molded heel for stability, black Swoosh detailing on either side, and Bryant’s “Sheath” logo in red on the green nylon tongue
The Nike Kobe 6 Protro is one of Ja Morant's most used shoes on the court. Of course, the shoes are one of the most iconic sneakers in basketball history. Ja wore this improved reincarnation with the original snakeskin scales, Nike Torch tongue, and an insole that forms to your feet. This pair of shoes is a great combination of responsiveness, bounciness, and impact protection.
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The cushioning is comfortable, and a better upgrade from the Kobe 5 Protro. Additionally, the Zoom Turbo unit in the forefoot is a welcome change. Of course, the materials on the upper of Ja Morant's shoes haven't veered off the original since it still sports a combination of mesh and scales made with textiles that complement each other.
3) Nike Kobe 9 Elite
- Nike Lunarlon Technology
- Nike Flywire Technology
- Signature Series for Kobe Bryant
- Nike Flyknit Technology
Made solely with on-court performance in mind, these Nike Kobe 9 Elite elevate Morant's sneaker game. This shoe features three key technologies: Nike Flyknit, Flywire, and Lunarlon, giving the shoe superior lightweight performance. Therefore, it makes sense that the traction combines the pattern itself and the thin rubber for a natural feeling when maneuvering.
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Additionally, the full-length Lunarlon midsole ensures you have all the benefits of natural motion when you need it most, even during training. Additionally, these Ja Morant shoes feature a knit collar for the proprioceptive feel of a low-top with the support of a mid-top. The Nike Flyknit technology creates a one-piece engineered upper made from single strands of yarns, making the upper lightweight yet strong. When it comes to the fit, there is some dead space within the toe box. However, we would still recommend going true to size if you prefer a snug fit. The shoes fit well, accommodate different routines, and are excellent for basketball courts.
4) Nike Zoom KD IV
An investment in a Nike X Kevin Durant basketball pair of shoes ensures you have both style and performance ability. When it comes to traction, the KD IV is made for a perfectly clean court floor, where it has awesome traction or on a rough outdoor surface. If the court floor, is even slightly dusty, you will keep slipping.
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As expected, the forefoot Zoom unit is not as noticeable as it has been in the previous 3 models. Of course, this is due to the firm Phylon and dense rubber put in the shoe. As far as the Phylon technology is concerned, Nike always has options for a cushioned midsole. Additionally, we think that the best part of these shoes is the fuse-based uppers. Not only are they durable, they ensure the shoes retain their shape and allow air to flow throughout the sneakers.
The shoe also has an external midfoot shank which keeps the foot in its natural shape. This prevents painful flexing of the arch. Furthermore, the shoes forefoot’s lateral outrigger offers additional support and prevents pronation so you don't roll your ankles.
5) Nike Adapt BB
The traction patterns on the Nike Adapt BB shoe are the reason why each of the Adapt models grips the court well. While the tread pattern doesn't run along the entire length of the shoe, it does what it's supposed to do. However, there are some inconsistencies in the grip ability of these shoes, especially on a court, due to the rubber compound material.
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For cushioning, these shoes utilize Cushlon midsoles and Zoom Turbo due to their low profile, springy and ultra responsive. Additionally, the cushioning unit sits just under the forefoot compared to being encased in firm foam. Normally, a firm foam restricts the feel and movement of your feet.
Of course, the shoe materials use a mix of raw materials (heel and tongue pull tab) along with Nike mesh textiles and TPU. These materials reduce the weight of the shoe, especially since they are some of the heaviest basketball shoes.
6) Nike Kobe 1
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If you are after a reliable pair of basketball sneakers, then this is it. These Nike Zoom Kobe 1 sneakers have excellent traction for better maneuverability, and the comfort gets better with each wear. Additionally, the cushioning used on these sneakers is a lower volume compared to the original Kobe 1. These sneakers are fitted with a Zoom Air unit along with a large volume met bag in the forefoot for better responsiveness, effective runs, and workouts. The midsole rests directly under your foot, so you only feel full-length springy goodness.
7) Nike Kobe 9 EM
When you compare the EM series to the Elite sneakers series, there is an obvious difference. The premium knit technology on this shoe ensures it doesn't rip since it's more durable, even with its minimal fuse backing. Additionally, the increased thickness of the mesh prevents any ripping. Furthermore, the Nylon reinforcement running throughout the interior of the shoe also adds to the shoe's durability.
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The traction on these sneakers is also great for indoor courts for the best performance. Additionally, each pair has a geometric fade pattern on the premium full-engineered mesh uppers. Furthermore, the speckled midsoles, silver accents, and Kobe's signature can be seen on the injected nylon heel clip with a Lunarlon midsole finish for each pair. Speaking of pairs, they come in either 'Game Royal,' 'Gym Red' or 'Gorge Green' colorways.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ja Morant's Shoes
i) What shoes does Ja Morant wear?
He has been wearing all the shoes listed above. Additionally, with all eyes on him, Morant used the opportunity to debut an unreleased pair of his first signature basketball shoe with Nike. He wore the Nike Ja 1 during games since officially debuting the shoes in December 2022.
ii) How expensive are the Ja Morant shoes?
Luckily for sneakerheads, the sneakers were released on Nike's SNKRS app. Of course, quick-acting fans were able to purchase them for $110 before they sold out. It makes sense, given the small supply of sneakers.
iii) What are Ja Morant's favorite shoes?
In 2022, his favorite shoes were primarily Nike X Kobes, but he wore different models as well, including Nike Kobe 6 Protro, Nike KD IV, Nike Kyrie Low 4, Nike Kyrie 1, Nike Kobe 5 Protro, Nike Kobe 8, Nike Kobe 11 Elite, Nike Air Zoom GT Run, Air Jordan 11, Louis Vuitton, and Burberry.
The Bottom Line
By his fourth NBA season, Ja Morant is the 23rd player in NBA history to receive his signature sneaker with Nike. Throughout his career, he wore multiple shoes, each with its pros. Of course, Morant is nothing short of spectacular, and with the best shoes to provide support, he is no doubt on his way to another successful season.
