Sports

Ja Morant and Nike release Ja 2 and pay tribute to his college team

Published

2 months ago

September 27, 2024

IAM

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant’s next signature sneaker is prepared for its official debut. The first colorway honors Murray State University, the college that helped him turn into one among the NBA’s top players.

The Nike Ja 2, Morant’s second collaboration with the brand, releases on Thursday in an “Induction” colorway. Nike surprised Morant within the sneaker at his alma mater’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony in July. Available in dark gray and cobalt blue with a touch of gold, the brand new silhouette builds on what made Morant’s first model successful.

The Nike Ja 2 “Induction” is a colorway that pays homage to the Memphis Grizzlies guard Morant’s alma mater, Murray State University.

Nike

“When entering Ja 2, I wanted the shoes to be even more comfortable. I wanted to change direction faster and still have enough spring to be able to jump,” Morant said .

Nike designed the newest Memphis point guards to be lighter on the feet, provide greater durability, provide adequate ankle support and higher respond to sudden movements. They incorporate his life story into the combo beyond aesthetics, because the traction pattern underfoot mimics the trailer tires Morant used to train in his backyard when he was younger.

The personal narratives that began with Me 1 proceed within the sequel. The “Purple Sky” color scheme was inspired by the thought of watching Morant’s quick ball-handling moves and high-flying dunks, and is comparable to the experience of viewing a purple night sky. The model also includes personal inscriptions, corresponding to the names of the daughter, sister, mother and father, carved into the central arch. “(It’s about) introducing my fans to a different story that they may not be familiar with,” Morant said. “We tell these stories through the colors of my shoe.”

“At Nike Basketball, we will work with the most effective athletes on the earth, help them be even higher on the court and create a canvas for storytelling. We’re excited for the world to wear Ja 2 and proceed to be inspired by his development and electric kind of play,” said Josh Wachtel, vp/general manager, Nike Global Men’s Basketball.

The Nike Ja 2 Men’s Shoe features waterfall-inspired collar padding and ankle padding.

The side rail of the Nike Ja 2 is designed to protect and stabilize.

The Nike Ja 2’s underfoot traction pattern is inspired by the trailer tires that Memphis Grizzlies defenseman Ja Morant used as a baby while training in his backyard.

“The Ja 2 gives hoopers everything they need – it’s flexible, fast, stable, looks great and comes in kid sizes to serve the next generation,” Wachtel said.

The 25-year-old, whose 2023-2024 season was cut short due to suspension and injury, can even see his Nike line grow. The Nike Ja 2 will probably be accompanied by an apparel collection consisting of a fleece hoodie and pants. The shoe will probably be released in kid’s sizes for the primary time.

The Nike Ja 2 “Induction” will probably be available starting Thursday on the SNKRs app and in select markets for $120. “Purple Sky” will release on October eighth on Nike.com and will probably be available at select retailers.

Marcus Shorter is a communications specialist and author. When he is not writing ideas for Consequence, Cageside Seats, or Bloody Disgusting, he gets extremely nerdy about rap lyrics, politics, poetry, and comics.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com

Sports

Long-time NBA assistant Phil Handy coaches the Unrivaled team

Published

5 mins ago

November 16, 2024

IAM

Longtime NBA assistant coach Phil Handy will develop into the head coach of an as-yet-unnamed team for the first time in the first season of the latest Unrivaled women’s skilled basketball league in 2025, sources tell Andscape.

The 3v3 league will debut in Miami in January 2025, and 36 basketball players will play in six teams. Unrivaled’s co-founders are WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the first season of Unrivaled with some amazing coaches and athletes,” Handy told Andscape on Friday. “Supporting women in sport has been a long-standing passion of mine and I actually appreciate the opportunity to proceed to contribute to their development and success.

“I have always seen basketball as more than gender – it is about the skill, dedication and heart that athletes bring to the game. Exploring this deeper this off-season before the (WNBA) season starts in April feels like a meaningful and exciting way to stay connected to my roots. I love training athletes.”

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right) with Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy (left) before their game against the Denver Nuggets on March 2 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles.

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Handy, 53, won three NBA championships as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, the Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. The former University of Hawaii guard was an assistant coach with the Lakers from 2019-2024 . , Raptors from 2018-2019 and Cavaliers from 2013-2018, after serving as player development coach for the Lakers from 2011-2013. The San Leandro, California native is widely known for running improvement camps around the world and training elite players in the offseason, including the late Kobe Bryant, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and USC women’s basketball goaltender JuJu Watkins.

The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025. Team assignments, rosters and schedules might be announced on November 20.

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been in a position to do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com

Sports

LeBron James admits he “won’t play that long” in the NBA

Published

13 hours ago

November 15, 2024

IAM

LeBron James has the stats of somebody who has a few years of playing left in him. In his twenty second season, he even has his son as a teammate. The talented footballer hinted that he was nearing the end of his storied profession when he admitted to reporters that he “won’t be playing for long.”

After one other great game on November 13, the future NBA star didn’t give a precise timeline, but he did hint that it might be one other yr or two before he left the club.

According to , after 11 games and the team’s balance 7-4, the player is nearly 40 years old averaging 24.3 points, 9.4 assists and eight.1 rebounds, shooting 52% from the floor.

As he sat at his locker after a recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies, in which he recorded one other triple-double with 35 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, he was asked how long he would give you the option to proceed playing.

He replied, “It’s obviously not me; that is the mind. Wherever my thoughts are, that’s where the remainder of my body will go, or whatever happens. I do not know, I do not know. I’m not going to play any longer, to be completely honest. I do not know the way a few years it’s going to be, whether it’s going to be a yr or two, as the case could also be. One night I said I would not play until the wheels fell off. I won’t be that guy. I’m not going to be a man who disrespects the game because I just need to be on the court. It won’t be me.”

“Honestly, I’m not going to play anymore… I’m not going to play until the wheels fall off.”

Bron says he only has perhaps 1-2 years left 💔 pic.twitter.com/Z2gbimHnB6

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 14, 2024

The next game on the Lakers’ schedule is November 15 against the San Antonio Spurs. Regardless of what number of years James has left in the game and his record-breaking achievements in each season, he can only contribute to a legendary profession if he steps on the pitch and offers his all.

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com

Sports

Andscape Roundtable: Should Colorado’s Deion Sanders apologize?

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2024

IAM

Andscape digital leader Erik Horne, columnist William C. Rhoden and JJT Media Group president Jean-Jacques Taylor come together to debate Colorado’s successful football season, what’s modified since last yr, whether the Buffaloes have College Football Playoff hopes and whether or not they deserve it. apology.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com