Matt Varga It may feel like some NBA players are overnight sensations, but now more than ever, the polished games you see on national television are the product of decades and decades of dedication. No doubt that’s why so many pro hoopers aim at fostering those walking the same path they once did, putting the weight of their star power and bank accounts behind AAU teams for the next generation of athletes.
Ja Morant is one of those such benefactors, and the Nike Ja 3 “Twelve Time” is walking proof. Now revealed via official images, the latest do-up of his signature shoe is an ode to his outfit, coated in homages to that jersey number moniker and its associated branding; the jewel badge on the tongue and alternating insole graphics are the most evident. Inside the tongue is where you’ll find some motivating words from the man himself: “Bucket in the backyard or bucket in the league; a bucket is a bucket.”
To our knowledge, the color scheme doesn’t directly tie to the AAU teams’ jerseys, yet the Vancouver-style light blue is a fitting choice overall. Morant’s proclivity for mismatch themes plays out with the orange/purple interplay in the accents, making its greatest impact with the contrasting Swooshes on the lateral and medial sides. As has been the case for plenty of previous public releases, this is a shoe tipped off during one of Mr. Morant’s own “leaks,” revealed in a set that included the Ja 3 “Year of the Horse,” the Ja 3 “Pink Foam,” and the Ja 3 “At Dawn” among others.
As mentioned above, the Nike Ja 3 “Twelve Time” is set to release on January 20th, retailing for $135. We’ll have our “Where To Buy” widget stocked with a store list and direct pick-up links upon arrival, so keep this article and our Sneaker Release Dates page close by if you’re hoping to add these to the collection.
