“It’s the funniest thing – we can’t put a marker or a pen down for a minute or we will end up with smiley faces everywhere,” said Laci Swann, Justice Swann’s mother and wife of legendary MoCo and Florida State basketball player Isaiah Swann. Their son, Justice Swann, a child on the autism spectrum, has a penchant for drawing smiley faces and now the smiley faces have found their way onto a new Nike shoe – the Jewell Loyd Player Edition of the G.T. Cut 3.
Florida newspaper, The Tallahassee Democrat, recently highlighted the story of how Justice’s smiley faces have made it all the way to a Nike shoe. Nike approached Olympic gold medalist and two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm for her Player Edition shoe, who drew inspiration from Justice, the 6-year-old son of her best friend. Loyd admired Justice’s creativity, beaming smile, and his sheer joy for drawing, which served as the driving force behind her shoe’s design direction.
Last year, Nike emailed the Swanns, informing them that Loyd wished for Justice and his sister to assist in designing her new shoe. Providing blank mockups of G.T. Cut 3, the company enlisted Justice and his 9-year-old sister, Sloan, to contribute. Nike integrated their concepts, which encompassed Justice’s beloved motifs (smiley faces, flames, and lightning bolts) and Sloan’s preferred color palettes, patterns, and handwriting, which showcased phrases frequently uttered by the Swann family, such as “Got You!” and “Go Be Great.”
More on the new Jewell Loyd Player Edition of the G.T. Cut 3, which will be made available to purchase in May 15, can be seen here.
Isaiah Swann, Justice’s father, is a Montgomery County native. During his freshman year at Magruder High School, Isaiah led his team to an undefeated championship season, marking Magruder’s inaugural undefeated campaign and clinching the school’s first 4A state championship.
Per his website, “Summers from 2001 to 2003 saw Isaiah donning the jersey of the nationally-renowned D.C. Blue Devils. Under the tutelage of seasoned coaches, Isaiah honed his skills alongside esteemed teammates like Roy Hibbert, James Gist, Travis Garrison, and Chris McCray, among others.
Transitioning to Oak Hill Academy for his junior year propelled Isaiah onto a national stage. His televised debut in the Oak Hill versus St. Vincent-St. Mary game, led by none other than LeBron James, garnered widespread attention, marking a significant milestone in his basketball journey.
Attending Nike Camp from 2001 to 2004 alongside luminaries such as Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker, Luol Deng, and others further solidified Isaiah’s place among basketball’s elite. Notably, his participation in the Jordan Capital Classic in 2004 showcased his prowess alongside future NBA stars like Jason Rich, Dwight Howard, and Rajon Rondo.
Isaiah’s high school career culminated in a triumphant victory at Hargrave Military Academy, leading his team to the prep school national championship with an impressive record of 25-1. Amidst offers from over 200 colleges, Isaiah’s eventual commitment to Florida State University marked the beginning of a new chapter.
During his time at FSU, Isaiah not only excelled on the court but also imbibed invaluable life lessons. Despite facing adversity, including a debilitating ACL injury during his senior year, Isaiah’s determination saw him through, ultimately leading to his first professional contract with Aget Imola in Italy.
Isaiah’s professional career soared to new heights, with highlights including clinching the 2009-2010 Israeli championship against Maccabi Tel Aviv and leading teams in Germany, Turkey, France, Italy, Argentina, and Venezuela. His accolades are numerous, from MVP awards to record-breaking performances. Swann currently plays for Juvecastera in Italy. Isaiah remains steadfast in his commitment to both his basketball career and his family. Married to his college sweetheart, Laci, and blessed with three children, Isaiah’s journey serves as an inspiration to many, rooted in his deep-seated belief in the guiding hand of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”