Ja Morant to visit the Philippines in August as part of his Make Them Watch tour

The Philippines has emerged as a top destination in Southeast Asia for National Basketball Association (NBA) stars, thanks to the immense popularity and love for the sport among the majority of the population.

The capital city, Manila, is set to welcome another NBA superstar — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant — who will visit the country for the first time on August 2 as part of his “Make Them Watch” tour.

Sportswear giant Nike announced in a statement that Morant will stop in Manila to engage with young Filipino basketball aspirants and immerse himself in the local culture. The visit also marks his first international tour as a Nike signature athlete.

“The Make Them Watch Tour represents Ja and Nike’s commitment to giving back to the game: championing athletes, inspiring the next generation, and fueling global basketball culture. The tour also reflects a shared belief in the power of basketball to build bridges between countries, challenge young athletes to chase their dreams, and create lasting impact among athletes and fans,” Nike said in a statement.

Morant’s international tour begins in Augusta, Georgia. He will also visit China and Japan, with Manila as his final stop.

Ja Morant is going on tour!

Today, Nike announced the “Make Them Watch” 2025 tour kicking off at EYBL Peach Jam in South Carolina @JaMorant and Nike will then travel to NYC followed by a trip abroad to China, Tokyo, and Manila https://t.co/ugsJdkB1Ck pic.twitter.com/ToOv14qBp7

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) July 2, 2025

“Basketball is all about work and creativity — putting in that grind but also playing with your own style. I’m excited to pull up and share a piece of my journey with the next generation of hoopers around the world. I also want to see how basketball is played in their communities,” Morant said.

“Getting to learn new cultures through hoops is a unique opportunity, and I’m hyped about that,” he added.

Widely regarded as one of the most exciting players in the NBA, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in the 2024–25 season, helping lead the Grizzlies to the playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Drafted second overall in 2019, Morant has spent his entire career with Memphis. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020, Most Improved Player in 2022, and is a two-time NBA All-Star, among other accolades.

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