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Why Pacers' T.J. McConnell has worn Ja Morant's Ja 1 sneaker more than any NBA player has
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- Why Pacers' T.J. McConnell has worn Ja Morant's Ja 1 sneaker more than any NBA player has
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell had a message for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant on Sunday afternoon as soon as the two crossed paths at FedExForum.
"You see my feet?" Morant recalled McConnell saying.
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On McConnell's feet were a pair of Ja 1 sneakers . And no NBA player has worn more Ja 1's than he has since the start of last season.
Morant notices which players around the league have worn his shoes, and he has taken note of McConnell's support.
"It's love there, always," Morant said after the Grizzlies' 136-121 win against the Pacers . "That's big-time. Definitely a blessing. I appreciate him for continuing to rock them. Like I said, it's love there, man."
Nic Claxton , Jaden Ivey and McConnell are among the non-Grizzlies players who have worn Ja 1 sneakers the most since the start of the 2023 season. Claxton is a South Carolina native who once played AAU basketball with Morant, and Ivey's mother, Niele, was a former assistant coach on the Grizzlies staff earlier in Morant's career.
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But with McConnell, there is no obvious pairing that led to the Pacers guard becoming a fan of the Ja 1's .
McConnell, 32, is a guy who doesn't like to switch up his shoes often, even though he is a sneaker free agent. He grew accustomed to wearing Kyrie Irving 's Nike sneakers earlier in his career until the Dallas Mavericks star and the brand parted ways.
With those shoes no longer an option, a Pacers equipment manager suggested that McConnell try Morant's Ja 1 sneaker.
"I tried them out and instantly fell in love with them," McConnell said. "Honestly, like I love shoes that are comfortable and they support your feet. When I put them on, they were extremely comfortable, and I just like the way they look. It's a great shoe and I love playing in them."
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McConnell now owns at least six pairs of Ja 1's that he rotates through the season. He also wore Ja 1's each time the Grizzlies played Indiana last season.
He's aware that Morant's second signature shoe is out, but McConnell is loving his rotation of Ja 1's. When he runs through those, he said he'll give the Ja 2's a try.
"I've been in this league and I'm a fan of great basketball," McConnell said. "He's a really great player. Every time I cross paths with him, he's been good to me. It's fitting that he has a great shoe."
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com . Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How T.J. McConnell fell in love with Grizzlies' Ja Morant Ja 1 sneaker
