Jonathan Isaac, a 6-foot-10 forward and 2017 first-round pick of the Orlando Magic, gained new recognition last week when his sneaker — the first product of his Christian apparel brand, Unitus — was unveiled at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.

The signed shoe features a verse from Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” 

Known as the Judah 1, the sneaker references the Lion of Judah, a biblical theme that first appears in Genesis. The shoe is imprinted with the shape of a lion’s mane, and its sole features a lion and a pair of crossed keys. Isaac said he has turned to the verse during times of anxiety. 

At the Aug. 19 ceremony attended by Isaac’s family and supporters, he said, “There were moments in my life where I placed ultimate value on what was ultimately valueless, while not focused on what was truly valuable, which was my relationship with Christ. … And when I look at this moment to me, it’s like, this is my MVP, this is my hall of fame. Only what you do for Christ will last.” 

Isaac created the sneaker shortly after founding Unitus (pronounced unite-us) in 2023 with Bishop Durone Hepburn, pastor of his church in Orlando, Florida. According to the brand’s website, the company is “a Christian footwear and apparel brand designed to help believers stay connected to Christ.” The clothing line launched earlier this year. 

In 2020, Isaac, who is Black, chose to remain standing in his uniform during the national anthem as his teammates knelt wearing Black Lives Matter shirts. 

At the ceremony, Isaac told Matthius Walther, the museum’s chief marketing officer, about his decision. 

“That moment was really just this little scared boy that is trying his best to do what he feels like God was calling him to do and to, at the same time, not step on or hurt anybody else’s feelings in the process,” he said. 

While NBA players have sometimes inscribed their gear with Scripture verses, the exhibit notes the Judah 1 as “the first NBA shoe to be worn with Scripture manufactured visibly on it.” The display includes a photo of Isaac playing the Golden State Warriors in 2024. 

Isaac’s basketball shoe is part of the museum’s “Impact of the Bible” exhibit, which highlights how Scripture has influenced cultures worldwide — from education and literature to art and architecture. Past items have included a Bible owned by Elvis Presley and mannequins featuring designs by fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, which incorporated icons of Mary into their collections. 

“Who would have thought an NBA player and the Museum of the Bible have something in common? But they do,” Walther said. He added the shoe will be part of a forthcoming exhibit focused on sports. 

Isaac said the exhibit could endure for generations. “If Jesus doesn’t come back, our kids’ kids’ kids’ kids’ will be able to come to the Museum of the Bible” and see their forebear’s basketball shoe, he said.