NBA Star Ja Morant to Visit Manila in August for Nike Tour
Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is set to visit Manila in the first week of August for Nike’s “Make Them Watch Tour,” the global apparel brand has officially announced.
Manila will be the last destination in a trip that will also include visits to EYBL Peach Jam in South Carolina, New York, China, and Tokyo.
“Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style,” Morant said via a press release. “I’m excited to pull up and share a piece of my journey with the next generation of hoopers around the world, and I also want to check how basketball is played in their own communities. Getting to learn new cultures through hoops is a unique opportunity, and I’m hyped about that.”
The same release indicated the agenda of Morant’s upcoming leg in Manila:
“The Make Them Watch Tour will conclude in Manila, where Ja will continue to lift up the next generation, create new experiences for athletes, learn local culture and grow the game. He’ll invite local high school players to watch his workout and inspire Filipino hoopers of all levels at a Make Them Watch exhibition game while in Manila, a hotbed of basketball culture.”
Another premiere Nike athlete, reigning WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu, also played in an exhibition game back in March when she stopped by Manila for her own Asia Tour. You can view our coverage of that trip here.
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In the video announcement posted by Nike, the character is seen wearing the Nike Ja 2 Kool-Aid Tropical Punch, although Morant’s visit to the basketball-crazy nation in Southeast Asia could be in line for the upcoming release of the Ja 3.
The Ja 2, officially launched in late 2024 and has quickly become a standout in his line. Building on the success of the original Ja 1, the Ja 2 features advanced performance enhancements such as a responsive forefoot Air Zoom unit, a molded midfoot panel for lockdown support, and a traction pattern inspired by semitrailer tires — reflecting Morant’s childhood training methods.
Since its release, the Ja 2 has seen a variety of vibrant and creative colorways, including the Kool-Aid collaboration “Tropical Punch,” the “Scratch Watermelon,” the “Out My Body” inspired by Kevin Durant’s KD 6, and the Murray State tribute edition honoring Morant’s college.
Fans can expect the upcoming first Ja 3, anticipated for release in August 2025, with the “Max Volume” colorway generating early buzz. While release dates may vary regionally, these models are generally available through international retailers like Nike.com and Foot Locker, with local sneaker boutiques and online platforms in the Philippines also stocking select editions.
The Ja 3 “Hustle & Flow” is set to drop on September 5, 2025, retailing at $125. This striking release pays tribute to the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, celebrating Memphis’ rich hip-hop culture and Morant’s roots. The shoe features a bold mismatched design with a golden-orange and red right shoe paired against a slate blue and lavender left, both branded with Morant’s signature “1MT” logo. Performance-wise, the Ja 3 delivers cutting-edge innovation with a full-length ZoomX foam midsole for responsive cushioning and a micro-traction outsole inspired by Morant’s “bulldog crossover” move, ensuring excellent grip on the court.
“Can we get Twelve on the line? We got pigeon problems again,” says the narrator in Nike’s promotional clip.
Morant’s use of the term “pigeon” in basketball slang refers to a weak or ineffective defender. This expression likens a vulnerable defender to a clay pigeon used in shooting practice — easy to target and not challenging to defeat. Morant’s use of this term gained attention during a postgame interview following a game-winning shot over Miami Heat rookie Kel’el Ware. When asked about his performance, Morant remarked, “A pigeon was guarding me,” implying that Ware was an easy defensive assignment .
In his recent season with the Grizzlies, who were eliminated by eventual NBA champions OKC in the first round, Morant registered 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
This is an updated version of this article.
For local news on Nike’s moves, check out their recruitment of Jared Bahay and JD Cagulangan.
