The Nike Ja 1 “Reverse Scratch”

It was a rocky year for Ja Morant, to say the least. Controversy and injury made his NBA season basically nonexistent. His first signature sneaker, the Nike Ja 1, was overshadowed by Morant’s misfortune. However, the Nike Ja 1 “Reverse Scratch” has been anticipated since Morant wore them on the court in February of 2023. The Nike Ja 1 “Reverse Scratch” drops at Shoe Palace this July 1.

Reverse Scratch

Sneakerheads have been hoping and waiting for the “Reverse Scratch” to release. The shoe has a simple base, with the upper in pure white leather and synthetic mesh. There is a black Swoosh, sock-liner, and graphic claw marks across the lateral side. There is a teal stripe on the midsole, magenta near the heel and brown on the tongue. The shoe is partly inspired by the retro Grizzlies jersey.

Nike Ja 1

Nike is entering a new age of superstar endorsers. Nike’s top basketball athletes, Lebron James and Kevin Durant, are elder statesmen in the league today. Ja Morant represents the next generation of superstars for Nike. The first colorway for Ja and Nike to get an official wide launch was the Ja 1 “Day One.” The Day One is tied to Ja’s underdog persona and the mentality he has regarding proving his critics wrong. The light blue color pays homage to the young star’s blue collar mentality. The official color scheme of the Day One is Cobalt Bliss, Citron Tint, Hot Punch, Medium Soft Pink, and Diffused Blue. The upper of the shoe is light blue and the silhouette has gradient Swoosh logos across the sides. There is a “I Am 12” graphic on the heel. A yellow midsole and pink outsole are utilized. The shoe is constructed and designed to fit Ja’s game. The shoe features an ideal fit for quick directional changes and explosions off the ground.

The Future

Ja Morant has achieved a lot in his short career. Largely because of Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies are currently a team on the rise. It would not be a stretch to believe that Morant could be the best player in the league within the next 5 years. The Nike and Ja partnership is just getting started and it will be exciting to see what they create as a pair in the future.

Shoe Palace

The Nike Ja 1 “Reverse Scratch” will be available at Shoe Palace stores and on shoepalace.com this July 1.

- Adam C. Better