The basketball world and the church intersected in a striking physical object when Jonathan Isaac’s Judah 1 sneaker was added to the Museum of the Bible’s “Impact of the Bible” exhibition. This is more than a collectible; it is a public declaration that faith can live in everyday items and travel from the court to the museum. The shoe turns a private conviction into a public witness.
The Judah 1, created by Isaac for his faith-based label Unitus, carries a clear biblical message. It bears Proverbs 28:1: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” That verse is printed visibly on the shoe, making scripture itself part of the design language.
Jonathan Isaac spoke plainly at the unveiling, connecting his sport to his Savior with candid reflection. “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.”
Visually the shoe leans into biblical symbolism, with lion-inspired imagery that nods to the Lion of Judah. The museum described the Judah 1 as the first NBA shoe ever manufactured with scripture visibly printed on it, a line that turns a fashion item into a cultural artifact. That claim frames the sneaker not just as gear but as an item of faith history.
Isaac launched Unitus in 2023 alongside his pastor, Bishop Durone Hepburn, and the brand’s stated mission is to help Christians stay connected to their faith. What began with footwear has grown into apparel and a wider effort to make belief wearable and conversational. The line speaks to people who want their convictions to be seen in the world, not hidden away.
Museum officials say the Judah 1 will eventually be moved into a sports-focused display where it can sit alongside other cultural artifacts. “Who would have thought an NBA player and the Museum of the Bible have something in common? But they do,” said the museum’s chief marketing officer, Matthius Walther. The comment captures the surprise and the sense of serendipity that happens when worlds that rarely mix collide.
For Isaac the exhibit is personal and generational in its meaning. “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.” The sentence reads like a prophecy of legacy, imagining faith transmitted through family lines and a museum label.
This moment asks a simple question: how will believers use the platforms they have? A professional athlete chose to use his design skills to embed scripture into consumer culture, and a national museum chose to accept that object as worthy of preservation. It’s a vivid reminder that faith shows up in unexpected places and that everyday items can carry eternal messages.