A professional US basketball player has seen his Christian faith step into the spotlight once again, this time through his basketball shoe.

The Judah 1, designed by Orlando Magic's forward Jonathan Isaac for his faith-based clothing company Unitus, has been added to the “Impact of the Bible” exhibition at Washington’s Museum of the Bible.

The shoe carries Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion."

Speaking at the unveiling, the NBA player 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."

The Judah 1 features lion-inspired imagery, linking to the biblical Lion of Judah, and has been described by the museum as the first NBA shoe ever manufactured with scripture visibly printed on it.

Isaac, who launched Unitus in 2023 with his pastor, Bishop Durone Hepburn, said the brand is about helping Christians stay connected to their faith. The clothing line has since expanded to include apparel.

Museum officials said the shoe will eventually join a dedicated sports-focused exhibition.

"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, in an interview with Religion News Service.

For Isaac, the moment was deeply personal: "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."