Nike and Ja Morant are joining forces to ignite creativity and self-expression among athletes worldwide through the launch of the Make Them Watch Tour — a four-country journey designed to further introduce the Memphis star to the global basketball community.
In his first international tour as a Nike signature athlete, Morant will connect with hoopers across the United States, China, Japan, and the Philippines. His mission: to inspire the next generation to shape the game within their communities while embracing their unique style and voice on the court.
“Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style,” says Morant. “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 Make Them Watch Tour represents a shared commitment between Morant and Nike to give back to the game — championing athletes, inspiring future stars, and fueling the global basketball culture.
It embodies the belief that basketball has the power to build bridges between countries, challenge young athletes to chase their dreams, and create a lasting impact on players and fans alike.
The tour will also celebrate everything hoopers around the world admire about Morant: his electrifying style of play, relentless work ethic, creativity, and dedication to powering the future of the sport.
Morant will tip off the Make Them Watch Tour in Augusta, Georgia, by inspiring young athletes at Nike Peach Jam, the brand’s premier Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) tournament. He will then head to New York during NY vs NY, Nike’s annual celebration of summer hoops in the city.
From there, the tour moves to China, where Morant will host clinics and training sessions as part of Mission Rise 2025, a program aimed at helping young local talents become world-class players. In Tokyo, he’ll connect with athletes and fans while immersing himself in Japanese culture.
The final leg of the tour will take Morant to Manila, a global hotbed of basketball passion. There, he will uplift the next generation of Filipino hoopers by inviting local high school players to observe his workout and participate in a Make Them Watch exhibition game.
Through these events, he aims to create meaningful new experiences for athletes while learning more about the Philippines’ rich basketball heritage.
Beyond the court, Morant’s connection to the game and its global culture will shine at every stop. From visiting Nike stores and meeting fans to exploring each city’s art, food, and music scenes, the Make Them Watch Tour promises to be a powerful celebration of hoops, creativity, and global unity.
