Nike release Ja Morant signature ‘Hunger’ colorway sneakers despite NBA gun backlash which sell out in minutes
JA Morant's new Nike sneakers have proved a huge hit with fans - despite his off-court issues.
The 23-year-old Memphis Grizzlies star is currently suspended after branding a gun on Instagram Live earlier this month.
Morant served an eight-game suspension during the NBA regular season for a similar incident.
The 6-foot-2 point guard first penned a deal with Nike before being drafted as the Number 2 overall pick in 2019.
In March, the company stuck by Morant after he live-streamed a video while holding a gun in a nightclub near Denver.
A statement from Nike on March 5 read: "We appreciate Ja’s accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support his prioritization of his well-being."
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Following his second incident on May 13, the sportswear giant removed all his shoes from its site last week and has so far failed to comment.
But on Thursday, Morant's signature Hunger colorways hit Nike's SNKRS app, where quick-thinking fans snapped them up in minutes for $110.
Per TMZ, resellers are already listing the shoes for $200.
Earlier this week, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith revealed figures inside the NBA were left "fearful" after Morant posted cryptic messages to social media.
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The Memphis star uploaded a selection of family pictures to Instagram, captioning the final snap: "Bye."
Speaking on his FanDuel show, Smith said: "I for one can tell you that I called the NBA league office [after Morant's social media posts].
"They had no idea what was going on. They appeared and sounded a little fearful.
"There’s a few players throughout the league that I contacted. They were uncomfortable.
"A couple of ex-teammates of his who used to be on the Memphis Grizzlies that know a thing or two about Ja Morant - his habits, the company he keeps, the pressures that lie on his shoulders.
"They were concerned. And, evidently, so was the police."
Police carried out a welfare check on Morant after the Instagram post went live and was swiftly deleted on Wednesday morning.
Cops informed TMZ the NBA star was fine and had decided to take a break from social media.