Suspended Ja Morant’s Nike Sneaker Sells Out

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant’s controversial Nike sneaker quickly sold out Thursday on the brand’s popular app.

Despite being suspended by his team earlier this month for allegedly brandishing a gun in a video circulated on Instagram, the point guard’s latest “Ja 1” shoe went on sale Thursday morning. The new “Hunger” colorway sold out in 20 minutes on SNKRS, the mobile app where consumers try to get their hands on the latest releases.

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The blue and red sneakers feature opposing color ways on the uppers and soles. The outsole features Air Zoom technology, which aims to gives the shoe “fast-off-the-mark responsiveness” and increased ground feel and control on both sports fields and basketball courts. Nike said the colors, and the shoe’s moniker, were an ode to Morant’s on-the-court persona. “Contrasting colors on the Ja 1 ‘Hunger’ represent the endless determination and stroke of luck that, combined, led to Ja’s big break”—being discovered at a basketball camp by former Murray State Racers coach James Kane during his senior year of high school.

Media reported that Nike pulled the product page for the Hunger colorway, and earlier iterations, from its app and website following the May 14 firearm display. The NBA’s ongoing investigation into the incident could result in a long-term suspension that some sports pundits believe could last through next season. In March, the athlete was suspended for eight games after flashing a gun at a Denver nightclub.

After quickly selling out, Morant’s “Hunger” shoe was back on Nike’s SNKRS and remained there on Friday, though it was marked “sold out.” The brand has not indicated that it plans to alter its relationship with the Grizzlies high-flying scorer, unlike how it handled the Kyrie Irving controversy.

Sneaker stores in Memphis including Foot Locker, Finish Line, Ten Toes Memphis, Hibbett Sports and City Gear told Sourcing Journal they did not receive the widely anticipated shoe. Ten Toes and Foot Locker said several pairs of the Ja 1 sneaker in the blue, green and orange Sundial color way, released May 8, were still in stock. The Wall Street Journal reported that Hibbett Sports and Finish Line both pulled the sneaker from planned online releases last week. Associates at both retailers’ Memphis stores told Sourcing Journal that the shoe was never slated for sale in their locations.

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