Jordan Brand Unveils Luka Doncic's Third Signature Sneaker

The Jordan Luka 3 is scheduled to launch on July 5 for $130.

The Jordan Luka 3 in the 'Photo Finish' colorway. / Jordan Brand

One step-back at a time, one no-look pass at a time, and one unbelievable shot at a time, Luka Doncic has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA. Jordan Brand spotted that talent early and signed him to a signature sneaker deal. Jumpman doubled down on that investment by extending Doncic with a long-term deal last summer.

With the Dallas Mavericks about to begin their march through the swampy Western Conference Playoffs, Jordan Brand and Doncic have teamed up to unveil the Jordan Luka 3. Doncic's third signature sneaker is tuned to create maximum separation from defenders while providing balance to his stop-on-a-dime gameplay.

The Luka 3 is a meticulously designed sneaker that builds off the performance benefits of the Luka 2 and raises the floor for sustainability throughout the Luka franchise. The sneaker itself features a full-length cushion 3.0 foam material, which provides a lightweight, responsive ride and helps propel the player for a smooth heel-to-toe transition.

The Jordan Luka 3 in the 'Midnight Racer' colorway. / Jordan Brand

The overarching inspiration behind the Luka 3 shoe was drawn from Doncic's love for high-performance sports cars, and just as his inspiration, the Luka 3 is engineered to handle deceptive speed without compromising control - as the midsole system is designed for the durability and fast-paced movement needed to attack any basket.

Through a highly collaborative process, Doncic and the Jordan Design Team held numerous meetings and went through many iterations of the Luka 3 to analyze Doncic's needs on court and his moments of solitude in the car. Through the process, Doncic didn't just see a shoe. He saw his car as well – a vehicle for him on the court.

Everything from the design elements of the upper, down to the outsole pattern takes cues from high performance car design and philosophies, as well as Doncic's drive and extraordinary control of deceleration and acceleration during a game.

A detailed look at the Jordan Luka 3. / Jordan Brand

The Jordan Luka 3 will cost $130 in adult sizes (the same price as its predecessor) and is already scheduled to drop in five colorways throughout this summer:

• "Midnight Racer" (July 5) - Fueled by some of his favorite moments, "Midnight Racer" draws inspiration from Doncic's late-night drive home after a game. With his foot on the gas and an open road, his mind is clear as his imagination soars. Emblematic of those late nights, this colorway features swirls of pink and purple, plus a pop of mint with the IsoPlate.

• "Photo Finish" (July 11; Early Access July 16) -Influenced by Doncic's love for cars and masterful pace on the court to deceive his defenders, "Photo Finish" is a nod to the freeze frame image taken at the finish line when multiple racers cross at nearly the same exact time - yet there's a clear winner. This primarily white colorway features a mint IsoPlate with shades of pink and green.

• "Blurred Vision" (July 30) - Paying homage to his remarkable speed, "Blurred Vision" features shades of orange that represent Luka burning things up on the court. His array of swift movements leaves the vision of his rivals in a blur.

• "Fundamental" (August 13) - With references to one of DoncicLuka's favorite retro models, the Air Jordan 4 Black/Red, the "Fundamental" colorway features the iconic black, white, red, and a speckle of paint across the IsoPlate.

• "Motorsport" (September 3) - With influence drawn from Jordan Motorsports and Michael's bikes, this racing inspired colorway has a true classic white and black look featuring the Elephant Print, a splash of red, and a metallic gold Jumpman logo.

The Jordan Luka 3 outsoles. / Jordan Brand

Late-night drives are a sanctuary for Doncic and a time for introspection and to envision his future.
Inspired by Doncic's love for cars, the Luka 3 is engineered for Luka’s deceptive speed without compromising control. As his game evolves, so does his shoe. From focusing on his stepback with the Luka 1 and isolation with the Luka 2, the Luka 3 hones in on his orchestrated speed.

In addition to the car theme, the Jordan Luka 3 also pays homage to Doncic's home country. The number "77" is featured on the medial side of each shoe. "Sedeminsedemdeset" means 77 in Slovenian, which is on the shoe. Also as a nod to Slovenia's sustainability, every Luka 3 colorway is made with at least 20% recycled material by weight.

Athletes and fans do not need any extra reasons to be excited about the NBA Playoffs, but Jordan Brand and Doncic just stepped on the accelerator with another hoop shoe guaranteed to be a classic. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's FanNation Kicks for all your footwear news from the sports world and beyond.

Interview: Nikola Jokic discusses travel etiquette, aliases, and shoes in hotel rooms.