Quick Facts
- Ja Morant's Twelve Time AAU team gets its own Ja 3 colorway
- The tongue features a purple Twelve Time logo, and there’s another purple Twelve hit on the heel
- The Nike Ja 3 Twelve Time will be released January 20, 2026
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Ja Morant is all about giving back to the youth. The Grizzlies’ star guard has had his trouble with the law and the league in the past, but don’t let that overshadow his commitment to the community. Last year, Morant launched the Twelve Time AAU program out of his home state of South Carolina to support middle school-aged hoopers on their journey through the competitive circuit.
The latest colorway of the Nike Ja 3 is dedicated to the Twelve Time squad, and unlike the Ja 2’s tribute, this version uses the team’s teal color across the entire shoe. The monochrome teal colorway (not too far from Jalen Brunson’s upcoming Kobe 6 PE) covers the engineered mesh upper and the TPU monogram JA support overlays, keeping the AAU team color theme down to the sole and laces. The only sections with hits of contrast are the branding, with an orange vertical Swoosh on the lateral side outlined in purple and a pure purple horizontal Swoosh on the medial side. The tongue features a purple Twelve Time logo, and there’s another purple Twelve hit on the heel, with “Bucket in the backyard or bucket in the league,” on the back of the left tongue and “a bucket is a bucket” behind the right tongue.
Obviously, Ja has a lot going on in the league right now, but he still finds as much time as possible to hit the sidelines on the AAU circuit and coach up the youth. As always, Morant brings his competitive edge with him wherever he goes, even with the kids. “We plan on running the whole AAU circuit from now until I’m done,” Morant told kids during the inaugural try-outs for the team last year.
The Nike Ja 3 Twelve Time will be released January 20, 2026 through Nike and select retailers in-store and online. Available in adult and grade school sizing, the retail prices are set at $135 and $102, respectively. For all the latest NBA signature sneaker news, don’t forget to download the Sole Retriever mobile app.
Images via prm.cotd
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
