Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant (born August 10, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is known for his dynamic and acrobatic plays, making him one of the NBA’s leading point guards.
Early Life and Education
Ja Morant was born in Dalzell, South Carolina. His father, Tee Morant, was a high school teammate of Ray Allen and played basketball for Claflin University. His mother, Jamie Morant, was a point guard in high school and a softball player in college. Ja trained in his backyard with his father, who taught him step-back jump shots and bought tractor tires for him to practice jumping with a soft landing.
College Career
Morant played college basketball for the Murray State Racers. Despite being lightly recruited by NCAA Division I programs, he made an immediate impact at Murray State University. As a sophomore, he became the first player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game for a single season. He was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Bob Cousy Award and Lute Olson Award in 2019.
Professional Career
Ja Morant was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He quickly became the team’s starting point guard and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020. In 2022, he was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award. Morant has been a key player for the Grizzlies, known for his court vision, agility, and leaping ability.
Personal Life
Ja Morant has a daughter named Kaari Jaidyn Morant, born on August 7, 2019. He has faced some controversies, including suspensions for brandishing guns on social media in 2023. Despite these challenges, Morant continues to be a prominent figure in the NBA.
Recent News
Ja Morant is currently dealing with a right shoulder injury and is considered week-to-week. He suffered the injury during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans and will be re-evaluated weekly by the Memphis Grizzlies’ medical staff.
