Appropriately deemed “The X-Factor” by ESPN Magazine as the sole pro-skater who will
change the course of the sport over the next decade, pro streetskating phenom and
newest addition to the Nike SB team, NYJAH HUSTON has monopolized the world of action
sports. Bringing home six X-Games gold medals and winning the “Best Male Action Sports
Athlete” award at the 2013 and 2014 ESPY Awards consecutively, he aptly remains the
face of skateboarding worldwide.
Well on his way to eclipsing the iconic careers of his predecessors, 21-year-old
Huston stands supported by no accomplishments but his own. The record youngest X-Games
competitor since the age of 11 has collected back-to-back Street League championships
(the inaugural crown included), and remains the coveted Trans-world title holder
for “Best Street,” “Reader’s Choice,” and “Best Video Part” for “Rise & Shine”—only
the second time in the 14-year history of the awards that a skater has won three
categories.
A household name to any fan of action sports, Huston has utilized his fan base and
social following of nearly 2M to ride the money rails straight into a branded empire,
joining the Nike SB team in December 2015. Huston’s success has seen no shortage
in sponsorships either, as his list of past and present partners reads more like
a teenage boy’s Christmas list than a brand resume (Nike SB, Monster, DC, Element
Skateboards, Monster, Asphalt Yacht Club, Diamond Supply Co., Ricta, Mob Grip, Stance,
and Adapt Technology).
Born “Nyjah Imani Huston” in Davis, CA in 1994, the now near-six-foot Huston began
skateboarding at the ripe age of five, under the scholarship and discipline of his
father. While other 5-year-olds were eating pizza and coloring outside the lines,
the goofy-footed, middle of four siblings (two older brothers, younger brother and
sister) was maintaining a strict vegan diet and learning how to land a kick flip—eating
habits he credits for having never broken a bone in his life. By seven years old,
he was skating with his first sponsor (Element Skateboards) and distinguishing himself
as the “One to Watch.” Accolades poured in while public interest in Huston peaked
until 2008, when his father, and then manager, forced an abrupt uproot, moving Nyjah
and his family to Puerto Rico. This new island location ultimately proved detrimental
to Nyjah’s career as his isolation from the industry caused him to fall off the face
of skateboarding Earth. His mother’s attempts to move the family back to California
were unsuccessful, which resulted in the family getting separated for two years during
a rigorous legal battle. While his father’s motives are unclear to this day, Nyjah’s
story ends happily. Huston’s mother won back custody of her children in 2010, and
committed to helping Huston reclaim skateboarding notoriety.
