Nike and Kool-Aid are turning up the heat this summer with one of the most unexpected sneaker collaborations yet. Announced Monday, the Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2 brings together the worlds of basketball, nostalgia, and flavor in a collection that’s as vibrant as Ja Morant himself.
Blending Ja’s signature Nike sneaker line with Kool-Aid’s iconic identity, the collab is inspired by Ja’s childhood memories in South Carolina—specifically, the Kool-Aid always waiting in his grandmother’s fridge.
“I remember my grandma always having some Kool-Aid in the fridge, and that’s part of my special childhood memories,” said Morant. “This collab brings all of that to life.”
The first drop, launching May 16, features a performance-ready Ja 2 with a wild, two-tone color gradient pulled straight from Ja’s favorite flavors—Blue Raspberry and Cherry, with Orange and Lemon Lime accents on the sole. Playful details include a glow-in-the-dark outsole, Ja’s signature “12 AM” text, and of course, the Kool-Aid Man busting through a wall with his famous “Ohhh Yeah!” catchphrase.
A second drop, coming in July, will lean even deeper into the Kool-Aid legacy with bold colorways inspired by the brand’s iconic red and all the same high-energy design elements.
To celebrate the partnership, Kool-Aid is also dropping its first new flavor pack in over five years. The limited-edition Mix n’ Kicks combo lets fans mix and match four classic Kool-Aid flavors—channeling the TikTok trend of flavor-blending, which has racked up over 26 million videos. Kool-Aid will also be giving away custom dubraes and laces to let fans personalize their kicks even further.
“Kool-Aid has always stood for creativity, bold flavor, and fun,” said Kristina Hannant, Marketing Director for Ready To Drink Beverages at Kraft Heinz. “This collaboration with Nike and Ja Morant celebrates everything our fans love about both brands—self-expression, color, and culture.”
The Nike x Kool-Aid Ja 2 drops in limited quantities May 16 via the SNKRS app and select retailers nationwide. Fans can register on the SNKRS app starting May 2 and visit koolaid.com/mixnkicks to enter giveaways for the flavor pack and sneaker accessories.
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