3 Nike Basketball Shoes That Are Sitting on Shelves

Three NBA players' signature sneaker lines appear to be losing popularity in online sales.

Author:
Pat Benson
Publish date:
Aug 6, 2023 11:22 AM EDT

The past year was a pivotal time for signature sneaker lines among NBA players. Hoops fans saw the launch of several new basketball shoes while other players watched their signature lines go up in smoke.

Overall, it was a net positive for the sneaker community. During Nike's Q4 earnings call in July, Nike President & CEO John Donahoe cited the growth of new performance models as a positive sign for the company's future.

While that still holds true, some highly anticipated signature lines appear to be losing steam. Below are three signature sneakers that are surprisingly sitting on shelves in the stores and on Nike's website.

Nike Ja 1

Side view of Ja Morant's red, blue, and white Nike shoes. — Nike

After debuting his first signature sneaker on Christmas Day, it seemed as though Ja Morant was poised to have one of the best basketball shoes of the year. Instead, the Nike Ja 1 has endured a turbulent launch due to Morant's two suspensions.

Popular colorways like 'Scratch,' 'Day One,' and 'Family Trivia' all sold out online. However, the Nike Ja 1 'Fuel' is the first colorway to sit on shelves. Athletes and fans should have no problem buying the shoes at or below the retail price on the Nike website.

Jordan Tatum 1

Nike

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum could not have asked for a smoother rollout of his first signature sneaker. Tatum debuted the Jordan Tatum 1 during the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, where he won the MVP trophy.

Colorways like 'Pink Lemonade' and 'St. Louis' sold out almost instantly online. However, the Jordan Tatum 1 has hit a snag with the 'Old School' colorway. It's still too soon to make judgments about the Jordan Tatum 1, but online shoppers can easily purchase the shoes on the Nike website.

Nike Freak 5

Side view of Giannis Antetokounmpo's black, green, and blue Nike shoes. — Nike

Throughout July, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo toured China to promote his newly-launched fifth signature sneaker. Perhaps as a sign of Nike's marketing plan, the Nike Freak 5 did not enjoy the same fanfare or promotion in the United States.

Despite having one of the most-worn sneakers in the NBA, the Nike Freak 5 is still sitting on shelves in its first two launch colorways. Online shoppers should be able to purchase Antetokounmpo's new shoes with ease on the Nike website.

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