Jayson Tatum, an NBA standout, had a good Christmas. Not only did the Boston Celtics defeat the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, but the baller also unveiled his second signature shoe with Jordan Brand, the Tatum 2.

 

“First of all, I still can’t believe I got my first signature shoe, and now that I’m on my second signature shoe, the inner kid in me comes out because I’m living out my dream in real time,” Tatum stated in an e-mail. “I can’t stress how amazing it is to see it come to life after months of meetings and trial and error to get it right. I absolutely love it. “There is no better feeling.”

Tatum 2 “Vortex.”COURTESY OF JORDAN BRAND

Jordan Brand claims that the Tatum 2 was created with his game—which is characterised by his ability to dominate opponents at the rim with his physicality and pick his places on the court with accuracy—in mind. The Tatum franchise’s most recent design, which is among the lightest in the Jordan Brand performance portfolio, was created “for the needs of the next-up athlete who’s inspired to play like him,” the company added.

Regarding the design of the sneaker, Jordan Brand created the Tatum 2 with huge foam and textile pods in the uppers. According to the company, these are positioned thoughtfully around the foot parts that come under a lot of strain when playing hoops. In addition, Jordan Brand stated that by wrapping the foam frame around the pods high, it stabilises the wearer’s foot during multidirectional movement without impairing feel or mobility. 

Regarding the underfoot design, Jordan Brand enhanced the shoe’s outsoles with a modified herringbone traction pattern, stating that this reduces weight while providing increased coverage in the areas where the wearer most needs it. Additionally, a patented Air Strobel is included in the shoe to help absorb impact from explosive movements. According to Jordan Brand, the Air Strobel will offer “a more flexible feel that delivers a sensation built for durability,” a seamless heel-to-toe transition, and improved responsiveness.

The outsole of the Tatum 2.COURTESY OF JORDAN BRAND

“Jayson is one of the best two-way players in the league with a high usage rate, so he needs a long-lasting ride to help keep him fresh for the long season,” Jordan Brand expert footwear designer Bryant Klug said in a statement. “That’s what the Air Strobel does so well. The smooth heel-to-toe transition is also a key feature of the Air Strobel, which fits with Jayson’s priority to wear a shoe that moves as one with his foot.”

Aesthetically, Jordan Brand said the aforementioned pods serve as references the “bold and fun spirit of ’90s hoop shoes.” Also, Tatum’s jersey number (0) and signature are featured on the heels, his “JT” logo is on the front of the tongue and his son, “Deuce,” is on the inside, and the phrases “Find A Way” and “Like Father, Like Son” are included on the shoe.

“For me, this second shoe represents evolution and how much I’ve grown as a player,” Tatum said in a statement. “I’m always building on my skills so I can be better than who I was yesterday. I hope consumers appreciate how much we put into this one.”

Kids’ sizes will also be available for the Tatum 2. Similar to its predecessor, the shoe will include an easy-to-use collapsible injected TPU tailgate system on the heel for children to wear in and out of.

“Whenever a kid sees my shoe on a shelf or online, or slides them on their feet, I want them to feel connected to me. I want them to feel a bond,” Tatum said in a statement. “This is so important to me because I remember getting the shoes of my favorite player that I always used to watch on TV. For me, it bridged that gap from thousands of miles away so that when I put that shoe on, it bonded and connected us. Whether that athlete knew it or not, there was a different energy I had as a kid when I put that on. I hope kids feel something special when they put mine on.”

“Momma’s Boy,” the first Tatum 2 hue to go on sale, will be available in adult sizing on March 5, 2024, via Jordan.com and a few other shops. According to Jordan Brand, the colour scheme pays tribute to Tatum’s close bond with his mother. It has an all-over pattern of her favourite flower, the white calla lily, and her favourite colour, volt.

Jordan Brand will also sell clothing items that are associated with the “Momma’s Boy” colorway, such as two men’s T-shirts priced at $35 and a men’s sweatshirt priced at $75.

Tatum 2 “Momma’s Boy.”COURTESY OF JORDAN BRAND

Following “Momma’s Boy” is “Vortex,” which releases on April 4, 2024, in full family sizing. The colorway, according to Jordan brand, is Tatum “being a focal point of his team and the energy he carries game in and game out” and serves as a reference “to his composed, steady demeanor under pressure, much like the sight of the middle of a vortex.”

The adult size shoes will retail for $125, the grade school size for $95, the pre-school size for $75, and the toddler size for $55.