Helena Frye
Ja Morant, the star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been a prominent figure in the NBA. The son of a basketball player, Morant displayed exceptional athleticism and a natural talent for the game from a young age. However, in recent years, Morant has faced injuries and legal issues that have impacted his career trajectory. In 2024, he missed games due to a hip injury, and in 2022, he was accused of assaulting a minor during a basketball game. Despite these setbacks, Morant remains a key player for the Grizzlies, and his fans eagerly await his return to the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Temetrius Jamel Morant |
| Birthplace | Dalzell, South Carolina |
| Birthdate | August 10, 1999 |
| Parents | Tee Morant and Jamie Morant |
| Siblings | Teniya Morant |
| Children | 1 daughter |
| Basketball Team | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Position | Guard |
| Injuries | Hip contusion |
| Recent News | Morant was named a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Shelby County, Tennessee, in September 2022, accused of punching a 17-year-old during a basketball game. |
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What You'll Learn
Ja Morant's early life and basketball beginnings
Temetrius Jamel Morant, popularly known as Ja Morant, was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, to Tee and Jamie Morant. Jamie Morant, Ja's mother, was a point guard in high school and a softball player in college. His father, Tee Morant, was a high school teammate of Ray Allen and later played basketball for Claflin University. Tee even considered playing professional basketball overseas but abandoned his career plans when Jamie became pregnant with Ja. Instead, he became a barber and trained his son rigorously in basketball in their backyard.
Ja Morant played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with the South Carolina Hornets, a small grassroots team based in Columbia, South Carolina. Morant often faced older opponents, telling his mother, "I'm not worried about the big kids." However, despite his father's training, Morant struggled to attract the attention of scouts during his high school years. He was considered too short to play for his high school team and was hardly ranked among the top high school basketball talents.
Morant's big break came when Murray State University assistant coach James Kane accidentally discovered him at a camp while observing another player. Murray State offered him a chance to play college basketball, and Morant grabbed the opportunity. He started all 32 games as a freshman, averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in the 2017-18 season. Morant's performance continued to soar as a sophomore, averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. He broke several records and became the first NCAA player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season.
Following Murray State's loss in the 2019 NCAA tournament, Morant announced his intention to declare for the 2019 NBA draft, forgoing his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility. The Memphis Grizzlies selected him as the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, marking the beginning of his NBA career.
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Morant's college basketball career
Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant, born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Morant's parents, Tee and Jamie Morant, both had a background in basketball. He trained with his father in his backyard and often played against older opponents. Morant played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with the South Carolina Hornets before his college basketball career.
Morant played college basketball for the Murray State Racers. Despite his impressive high school career, he was only lightly recruited by NCAA Division I programs and went unranked by recruiting services. However, he made an immediate impact at Murray State University, earning first-team all-conference honours in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) as a freshman. Morant had a breakout sophomore season, winning OVC Player of the Year and leading the NCAA in assists. On February 2, he collected 28 points and 7 assists in a 67–63 win over Tennessee Tech, breaking the school's single-season assist record. He became the 46th Murray State player with 1,000 career points and broke the OVC record for single-season assists. At the end of the regular season, he was named OVC Player of the Year and first-team All-OVC, also earning first and second-team All-American honours.
In the 2019 NCAA tournament, Morant posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists in a win over Marquette, becoming the eighth player to record a triple-double in the tournament's history. He averaged 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in his sophomore campaign, becoming the first NCAA player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season. Following Murray State's loss in the 2019 NCAA tournament, Morant decided to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declared for the 2019 NBA draft.
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Morant's NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies
Temetrius Jamel Morant, better known as Ja Morant, has not quit basketball. He currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA, where he is a star point guard. Morant was born in Dalzell, South Carolina, on August 10, 1999. His mother, Jamie, was a point guard in high school and a softball player in college, while his father played basketball for Claflin University.
Morant had a successful college basketball career at Murray State, where he became the first NCAA player ever to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season. He then declared for the 2019 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick.
In his first season with the Grizzlies, Morant had a solid rookie year, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game. He helped lead the Grizzlies to a 38-34 record, their first winning season in four years, and secured a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament. However, the Grizzlies fell short of making the playoffs, losing in the first round of the tournament to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Morant's second season with the Grizzlies was even more impressive. On December 29, 2021, he put up a season-high 41 points to lead the Grizzlies to a victory over the Lakers. He was selected to his first All-Star Game as a West Starter and broke the franchise record for most points in a game by a Grizzlies player with a 46-point performance against the Chicago Bulls. Morant helped the Grizzlies to a 56-26 record, their best season in franchise history, and this time they secured a spot in the NBA playoffs. In the first round, Morant led the Grizzlies to a series victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 23.3 points, 10.3 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. In the second round, the Grizzlies faced the Golden State Warriors and lost the series in six games, despite Morant's impressive performances, including a playoff career-high 47 points in Game 2.
Morant has continued to be a key player for the Grizzlies, and his athleticism often draws comparisons to Russell Westbrook, his favourite player. However, he has also dealt with several injuries throughout the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, including a hip injury that caused him to miss Game 4 of the Grizzlies' first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025. Despite this setback, Morant finished the 2024-25 campaign with impressive averages of 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 30.4 minutes per game in 50 regular-season appearances.
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Morant's injuries and impact on his career
Temetrius Jamel Morant, better known as Ja Morant, is an NBA superstar who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant's athleticism often draws comparisons to Russell Westbrook, who is his favourite player. Despite his talent, Morant has had an unfortunate history of injuries throughout his career, which has impacted his ability to play.
One of Morant's most notable injuries was a labral tear, or a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which required surgery and caused him to miss 47 games during one season. He has also suffered various knee injuries, including a sprained left knee that forced him to sit out 12 consecutive games. Morant has also missed games due to a grade two ankle sprain, back injuries, hamstring injuries, and a hand injury. In addition, he has dealt with soreness in his right knee, thigh, and back, causing him to miss multiple games at a time.
Morant's injuries have had a significant impact on his career. In the 2023-24 season, he only played nine games, and he has appeared in just 257 games across his first five NBA seasons. This has led to questions about the Grizzlies' future and their ability to be a serious contender in the Western Conference. Morant's injury record has also likely impacted his statistics, as he has never played a full 82-game season schedule.
Despite his injury setbacks, Morant has still managed to achieve impressive feats on the court. He became the first NCAA player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season. He has also earned All-American honours and been named a two-time All-Star. However, his injuries have undoubtedly hindered his potential and impacted the Grizzlies' performance as a team. Morant's health is crucial to the Grizzlies' success, and they will be hoping for a redemption year to prove their worth.
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Morant's off-court ventures, including his Nike shoe line
Temetrius Jamel Morant, popularly known as Ja Morant, is a basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant has had several off-court controversies, including threatening a mall security guard and showing a gun on Instagram. He was also named a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Shelby County, Tennessee, in September 2022, where he was accused of punching a 17-year-old male during a pickup basketball game at his home.
Morant has a number of ventures off the basketball court, including his Nike shoe line. The Nike Ja 2 is Morant's signature silhouette, and it is available in various designs and colours, such as the Scratch and Heart Eyes editions, which are priced between $58.97 and $125. The shoe is designed for basketball and is available in big kids', little kids', and adult sizes. In addition to the Nike Ja 2, Morant also has a clothing line with Nike, which includes hoodies, joggers, t-shirts, shorts, and jerseys. The clothing line features sustainable materials and is priced between $22.97 and $200.
Morant's Nike shoe line has also released a new colourway called "In The Woods", which is set to drop in 2025. The "In The Woods" colourway is a new take on Morant's signature silhouette, the Nike Ja 2. The shoe is designed with a mix of brown and green tones, creating a unique and earthy look.
In addition to his Nike shoe line and clothing collaborations, Morant has also ventured into other areas. He has a daughter, born in August 2019, and a younger sister, Teniya, who plays basketball for Mississippi Valley State. Morant's off-court ventures and personal life have garnered significant attention, with fans and followers interested in his life beyond the basketball court.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Ja Morant did not quit basketball. He is currently playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he has sat out some games due to a hip injury.
No, but Ja Morant's father, Tee, did play semi-professionally. He considered playing professionally overseas but stayed at home to become a barber when his wife, Jamie, became pregnant.
Ja Morant played basketball for Murray State.
In the 2024-25 season, Morant averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 30.4 minutes per game in 50 regular-season appearances.
Ja Morant's net worth is unknown, but he has a signature Nike sneaker line and is the star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies.
