Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant wears the Nike Ja 3. Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Nike and Ja Morant Could Have the Best Back-to-School Shoe of 2025

Originally posted on Sneakers on SI | By Pat Benson | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 10:15 AM ET

Monoculture is a thing of the past, but here are still moments where society can gather around a popular idea. While we have given up waiting on a song of the summer in 2025, it is not too late for a definitive best back-to-school shoe this year.

Earlier this spring, Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant debuted his third signature Nike basketball shoe during the NBA Playoffs. The Nike Ja 3 "Max Volume" was so exciting that Morant had to tease it on social media the night before.

The bold "scratch" design (nodding to Morant's first two signature sneakers) and downward Swoosh logo make it the freshest silhouette Nike Basketball has produced in a long time. The exciting design makes the $130 price tag more palatable for shoppers.

FIRST LOOK NIKE JA 3 pic.twitter.com/RMI06AsWuQ
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) April 20, 2025

The Nike Ja 3 is going to launch in three colorways to wrap up the summer: Neon Yellow (July 22), Max Volume (August 15), and Hustle & Flow (September 5).

Nike could play the launch one of two ways: a limited launch to build hype (like the launch of Devin Booker and A'ja Wilson's debut hoop shoes) or a wide release and make it easily available for everyone.

Anything other than a massive release would be a strategic miscalculation. Morant has a loyal legion of young fans who will soon go back-to-school shopping for a fresh pair of kicks. They should be met with a massive supply.

The Nike Ja 3 has the rare opportunity to not only be a modern performance basketball shoe cool enough to wear casually (an extreme rarity) but generate a cultural moment where young sports fans show up to the first day of school in the highly anticipated model.

FIRST LOOK: Nike Ja 3 "Hustle & Flow"
️ Releasing Fall 2025 pic.twitter.com/6kIjVyypdd
— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) June 22, 2025

Make no mistake, Nike will eventually flood the zone with colorways, most of which will be popular. However, prices will get discounted as the hype dies down as time goes down.

Nike cannot afford to run back the same playbook of artificial scarcity, which only frustrates loyal sneakerheads. It must capitalize on this fleeting breakthrough moment.

Later this month, Morant will kick off his first-ever global tour to promote the Nike Ja 3. Everything is coming together for Nike and Morant to take over schools and define an era, much like adidas and Yeezy did during the last decade.

The sneaker community will soon find out Nike's plan. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NBA and beyond.