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While many past and current NBA players are under contract with a large athletic footwear and sports clothing conglomerate, Jonathan Isaac carries his own brand as he steps on the basketball court.
Orlando Magic Forward founded Unitus, a trophy -eyed clothing brand. According to the company’s official site, the brand goes beyond producing premium Christian clothing and footwear, it is “a global movement for positive change.”
“We believe that Jesus offers our world a better way and we are brave to our beliefs in him. Our mission is to inspire and strengthen people to live in greater unity, freedom, strength and purpose.”
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Jonathan Isaac from the magic during a game against Boston Celtics at the Amway Center on January 23, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“From the start it has just been a vision of connecting people to Christ and each other … for it to be a real point of touch for believers. Having something we are sure of (and) feeling good about.”
Isaac warned that the company is always trying to avoid forcing its values and beliefs on others.
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“We don’t push on other people, it’s more an internal thing,” he told Pakinomist Digital. “A great deal about us is … You have on you the writing on your shoes, on your clothes for you, to remind you of the bigger picture. And then to take it out (in) the world. To be able to take God’s word with me on the field when I wear my basketball -sneakers, it is the same … It’s for me internal and at the same time, I need it as a witness in everyone else, it’s just a medium to do it, it’s just a medium to do it, it’s just a medium to make it, it. “
Magic tip Jonathan Isaac warms up before the game against Charlotte Hornets in the Kia Center in Orlando, February 12, 2025. (Mike Watters Preferred Pictures)
Isaac admitted that he ended up being “forced” to launch his own sneaker line.
“I was signed to Nike back in 2020 and unfortunately I was injured … I tore my ACL,” Isaac told Pakinomist Digital. “Nike had made the decision not to resign. While I am undergoing my rehabilitation process … I actually went and talked to my priest … and he said to me ‘why don’t you just make your own sneaker?'”
Isaac’s Pastor then challenged him to be at the forefront of active NBA players in the independent sneaker line. The 27-year-old said that creating his own brand gave him creative autonomy.
Jonathan Isaac of Magic Watches under the Atlanta Hawks game in Kia Center on April 8, 2025 in Orlando. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)
“With that freedom to make my own sneaker, I could make it truly unique to myself. (I would do) into a shoe that demonstrates faith demonstrates what is important to me. My middle name is Judah, so we (call it) Judah 1.
Isaac has not thrown himself away from talking about his faith. However, it can often result in setbacks. Isaac said he is doing his best to filter the negativity.
“The biggest thing for me is spending as little time as I can on social media, especially on X. It gets crazy over there. But it’s tough (because) sports and a few other professions, no one else in their ordinary lives has as much feedback as we do because we play live and now you’ve got parlays and now you’ve got all the other things going on.
“When you play, you have 50 (direct messages) of people saying ‘oh, you messed this’ or ‘you did well’ or ‘you didn’t do well.’ It’s hard to deal with just like an ordinary person.
Isaac showed up in 71 games in the NBA season 2024-25.
From the beginning of June, customers will be able to buy Unitus’ new ActiveWear line.
