An adventure 53 years in the making.
When the Nike Basketball vertical launched in 1972 with the Nike Blazer and the Nike Bruin, a whole new world was unlocked for the swoosh.
In the years since, Nike Basketball signed the greatest player to grace the game of basketball, carved a huge lane in the casual sneaker space, and, most importantly, constantly found a way to evolve throughout generations of basketball players. This almost extinct ability to constantly adapt has been why the line has been successful. Whether it is identifying talent early or developing the latest technology in basketball performance sneakers, Nike Basketball has always been on the cutting edge.
Nike signed Ja Morant before the Murray State Point Guard even entered the league. By the time his name was called second overall at the 2019 NBA Draft, Nike Basketball fans were dying of curiosity to see what Nike could develop with Morant.
How could they not be? Morant’s explosive game was a guaranteed highlight reel. Morant had star-making performances during the 2019 NCAA Tournament that solidified his stock as a future superstar. Fans cashed in on those stocks almost immediately, and Morant ended his rookie campaign with the Grizzlies winning the 2019-2020 NBA Rookie of the Year award.
Morant’s signature shoe line soon followed and cemented Morant’s spot as not only a star but an influential figure in the NBA. Now, as the era of Morant’s third signature sneaker rolls on, the line truly feels like it is channeling the best of Morant’s game and the legacy of Nike Basketball.
The collaborative pack with Jurassic Pack is finally releasing this week. The collection, affectionately dubbed the Ja-Rassic Park, is a collision of worlds that epitomizes the best of Nike Basketball.
During its explosion of popularity in casual wear during the 2010s, Nike Basketball channeled the personality of its athletes. Through personal stories and nostalgia, Nike Basketball hit the mainstream. That same ethos, that same hit of nostalgia, is why the Ja-Rassic Park pack feels like such a hit.
Further than that, the Ja 3 feels like the perfect canvas for this epic of a collaboration. The rugged aesthetic of the shoe, the scratch marks on the upper, and the vibrancy of the sneakers feel just like any classic Jurassic Park memorabilia you could think of. Nike Basketball collaborations always seem to hit the nail on the head in terms of storytelling delivery. This is no exception.
The Ja-Rassic Park collection, for all intents and purposes, is a slam dunk. It not only commemorates a beloved 1990s franchise through what feels like an organic design, but it also serves as a reminder of Morant’s explosive game, from his ability to cut to the basket and slash through defenders.
The Ja 3 “Ja-Rassic Park” collection drops on SNKRS and participating Nike Retailers, like Foot Locker, tomorrow- April 10th.
