Nike Ja 3 ‘NY vs. NY’

The Nike Ja 3 ‘NY vs. NY’ (IM0464-001) is a special edition release that pays homage to the legendary New York City streetball tournament series, an annual event that showcases top high school talent and captures the raw, competitive spirit of playground basketball. The story of the Ja 3 line is rooted in Ja Morant’s personal demand for a shoe that reflects his explosive, must-watch, “Make ‘Em Watch” style of play, focused on “freedom, more bounce, more energy, more movement” compared to the lockdown feel of previous models. This ‘NY vs. NY’ colorway specifically ties into Morant’s growing presence in the streetball culture and was released as part of a three-pack honoring his world tour, celebrating the concrete jungle’s contribution to the game.

This model features a dynamic, street-ready colorway of Black/Neon Yellow/Total Orange/Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Anthracite, with a stealthy black upper forming the foundation. The material construction utilizes a lightweight, durable mesh base overlayed with tonal, monogram-patterned textures composed of Morant’s personal logo, providing both grip and resilience for the high-intensity demands of outdoor courts. The design’s striking, urban flair comes from the spray-painted graphics that cleverly spell out Ja’s name: a metallic gold Swoosh slants vertically to form the letter ‘J,’ while a bold, Bright Crimson, graffiti-style ‘A’ is placed near the heel, inspired by Ja’s hands-on art session with Nike designers. Further branding, including the light blue ‘NY vs NY’ logo, proudly adorns the tongue tag, directly celebrating the iconic streetball tournament.

In terms of performance technology, the Ja 3 is engineered to maximize Morant’s unpredictable acceleration. The shoe features full-length Hybrid ZoomX foam cushioning, which Morant affectionately calls “jet fuel” because it offers Nike’s highest energy return, ensuring the shoe is bouncy, light, and capable of handling rapid take-offs and quick cuts. This ultra-responsive foam sits within a matching black rubber cupsole, providing a low-to-the-ground feel for optimal court awareness. The outsole is equipped with a tuned, zoned traction pattern made up of miniature Ja logos, designed to bite the court for superior grip during quick changes of direction, allowing players to execute the shifty, unpredictable moves needed to “break defenders off any time I want” on any surface, including the rougher outdoor courts of NYC. The durable, lightweight construction is built tough to provide the necessary stability for players to feel confident and explosive.