Side Kicks Streetwear • Global Release Guide
Updated: 20 September 2026
About the release
The Nike Ja 4 era continues with one of the model's most storytelling-driven colourways yet — the Nike Ja 4 'Jaws', also known as 'Deep Water' (style code JA9742-400). An ocean-themed pair inspired by the iconic 1975 shark thriller's movie poster, following the wordplay-heavy tradition Ja Morant's signature line has built through drops like the 'Ja-Breaker' and the Jurassic Park collab. Note: this is a homage rather than an official film collab — Nike is leaning into the visual language and reference points, not a licensed tie-in.
The upper runs a Diffused Blue, Blackened Blue, Chambray, Glacier Blue, University Red and Cobalt Bliss palette — gradient shades of blue transitioning from darker navy sections through to lighter tones around the toe and midfoot, representing the ocean. The textured surface gives the pair a rougher aesthetic that reads as shark skin without overplaying it. Shark teeth graphics wrap around the tongue, framing Ja's triangle signature logo in University Red at the tongue's centre — a direct nod to the Jaws movie poster composition. Dark blue shimmering hardware cuts through the side panels, working with the oversized Swoosh to sharpen the profile. A translucent light outsole keeps the bottom visually clean. Responsive Cushlon 3.0 foam underfoot delivers the bounce and cushioning Ja's line has become known for.
Nike Ja 4 'Rise'
Another Ja 4 colourway from the current line
Shop Now →TL;DR – Nike Ja 4 'Jaws' / 'Deep Water' JA9742-400 Release Date, Price & Where to Buy
- UK release date: Friday 25 September 2026
- Model: Nike Ja 4
- Colourway: Diffused Blue / Blackened Blue / Chambray / Glacier Blue / University Red / Cobalt Bliss
- Nicknames: 'Jaws' / 'Deep Water'
- Style code: JA9742-400
- UK retail price: £124.99 (adult)
- US retail price: $140 (adult) / $115 (grade school)
- Sizing: Adult and grade school sizing available
- Where to buy: Nike SNKRS and select basketball retailers
- Key details: Gradient ocean-inspired blue tones, textured shark-skin upper aesthetic, shark teeth graphics wrapping the tongue, University Red triangle logo at tongue centre referencing Jaws movie poster, dark shimmering blue hardware, oversized Swoosh, translucent light outsole, responsive Cushlon 3.0 foam midsole, sleek containment system
- Signature line context: Follows the storytelling tradition of past Ja drops (Ja-Breaker, Jurassic Park, Kool-Aid)
Release date and price
The Nike Ja 4 'Jaws' releases in the UK on Friday 25 September 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select basketball retailers. UK retail is £124.99 for the adult pair, US retail $140 (adult) and $115 (grade school). Adult and grade school sizing available.
The Ja 4 launched in mid-August with the 'Nightmare' colourway and this 'Jaws' pair is one of the earliest themed executions of the model's first run. Ja Morant's signature line has proved consistent commercial performance since the debut Ja 1, and story-driven colourways in particular tend to move well thanks to the younger, character-focused audience Nike has built around the model.
Design and details
Ja's signature line has always leaned expressive. The Ja-Breaker, the Jurassic Park collab, the Kool-Aid drop — Ja and Nike have consistently been willing to let their hair down and lean into playful, character-heavy stories rather than staying restrained. 'Jaws' continues that lineage while pushing it into more atmospheric, ocean-toned territory.
The ocean gradient upper
The upper's gradient blue treatment is what does most of the work. Darker navy sections at the heel and midfoot transition to lighter Glacier Blue tones around the toe, giving a proper sense of ocean depth across the shoe. The textured material finish adds a subtle shark-skin roughness without going literal, and shimmering Blackened Blue hardware on the JA-plate and Swoosh catches light differently across the different panels. It's an atmospheric, gradient-driven design rather than a graphic-driven one.
The Jaws poster reference
The most on-the-nose detail. Shark teeth graphics wrap around the tongue, chomping down on Ja's triangle signature logo rendered in University Red at the tongue's centre. It's a direct visual echo of the 1975 Jaws movie poster composition — the swimmer above, the shark rising from below. That single University Red hit against the all-blue palette is the design's sharpest contrast point and it works because everything else stays tonal.
Performance under the story
The Ja 4 is a proper performance basketball shoe under the themed dressing. Responsive Cushlon 3.0 foam delivers explosive lift and cushions landings — the same platform Ja demands from his signature line to match his athletic profile. A sleek containment system pairs with the supportive upper for lockdown, and the translucent light outsole keeps the bottom visually clean while providing the multidirectional traction needed for guard play. This is a real hoops shoe, not just a lifestyle drop with a theme.
Nike Ja 4 'Jaws' images
Credit: Nike
Ja Morant's storytelling signature line
Ja Morant's Nike signature line has quietly become one of the most consistent pop-culture-referencing series in modern basketball footwear. From the Ja-Breaker (a Sneaker Freaker-style wordplay pun), to the Jurassic Park collab, to the Kool-Aid drop — the model has consistently used its colourways to tell atmospheric or character-driven stories rather than lean on straight team colourways. That approach fits Ja's on-court identity: dynamic, unpredictable, entertainment-first. The Ja 4 arrived in August with the 'Nightmare' pair as its lead colourway, and 'Jaws' now becomes one of the model's first properly themed executions. Expect more pop-culture-anchored colourways to continue rolling through the Ja 4's first-year lifecycle.
Where to buy
The Nike Ja 4 'Jaws' / 'Deep Water' releases on Friday 25 September 2026 for £124.99 via Nike SNKRS and select basketball retailers, in both adult and grade school sizing. Browse other Nike Ja 4 colourways and the wider Nike archive on Side Kicks.
FAQ
When is the Nike Ja 4 'Jaws' release date?
Friday 25 September 2026 via Nike SNKRS and select basketball retailers (Foot Locker, Hibbett, DSG in the US). Adult and grade school sizing available.
How much does the Ja 4 Jaws cost?
UK retail is £124.99 for the adult pair. US retail is $140 (adult) and $115 (grade school).
Is this an official Jaws collab?
No — this is inspired by the 1975 film's iconic movie poster rather than being an official licensed collaboration. Ja Morant's signature line has done inspired-by drops before (like the Ja-Breaker), while true licensed collabs like his Jurassic Park pair are separate. The shark-teeth tongue graphic wrapping around the red triangle logo is the closest film-accurate reference.
Why is it also called 'Deep Water'?
'Deep Water' is the pair's official colourway name from Nike, referencing the gradient ocean-inspired blue palette (Diffused Blue, Blackened Blue, Chambray, Glacier Blue, Cobalt Bliss) that transitions across the upper. 'Jaws' is the widely-used nickname because of the shark-themed detailing.
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