Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant has established himself as one of the league’s most dynamic point guards and a cornerstone of the Grizzlies’ franchise. His career has been highlighted by rapid ascension, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 and NBA Most Improved Player recognition in 2022. Known for his explosive athleticism, playmaking ability, and electrifying style of play, Morant has become one of the most exciting players in professional basketball.
Ja Morant Bio
Temetrius Jamel Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, to Tee and Jamie Morant. He attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, where he developed into a highly productive player despite limited recruiting attention from major college programs. Morant grew from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet during his first three years of high school and graduated as the all-time leading scorer at Crestwood with 1,679 points. He averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game in his final two seasons, earning South Carolina Class 3A All-State honors both years and leaving as a three-time All-Region MVP. Despite these accomplishments, major recruiting services did not rank him in the class of 2017, and he received only one high-major Division I offer from South Carolina.
Morant was discovered by Murray State assistant coach James Kane in July 2016 at a camp, where Kane noticed him playing three-on-three in an auxiliary gym. Kane contacted head coach Matt McMahon, who offered Morant a scholarship. Morant committed to Murray State on September 3, 2016, choosing the Ohio Valley Conference program over other Division I offers that included Duquesne, Maryland Eastern Shore, South Carolina State, and Wofford.
Path to Basketball
Morant made an immediate impact at Murray State University, debuting on November 10, 2017, with 11 assists in a victory over Brescia University. He earned first-team All-OVC honors as a freshman, averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while leading the Racers to an OVC championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. His freshman season included a memorable triple-double against Eastern Illinois with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, setting a school record for assists in a CFSB Center game.
His sophomore season in 2018-19 became historic. Morant became the first player in NCAA history to average more than 20 points and 10 assists per game for a single season, finishing with averages of 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.8 steals. He won OVC Player of the Year, led the NCAA in assists, and earned consensus first-team All-American honors while winning the Lute Olson Award and Bob Cousy Award. In the 2019 NCAA Tournament, he recorded a triple-double against Marquette with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists, becoming the eighth player in tournament history to achieve the feat. After Murray State’s season ended, he declared for the 2019 NBA Draft.
Ja Morant Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Morant was drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $39.6 million and made his debut on October 23, 2019, recording 14 points in a loss to the Miami Heat. On November 13, he recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 11 assists, including a game-winning layup against the Charlotte Hornets. On February 9, 2020, he recorded his first career triple-double against the Washington Wizards. Morant led all rookies in assists with 7.1 per game and total points with 1,138, earning NBA Rookie of the Year and NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
Memphis Grizzlies Breakthrough (2020-2022)
The 2020-21 season saw Morant emerge as an elite point guard. He scored a then-career-high 44 points against the San Antonio Spurs on December 23, 2020. In the play-in tournament on May 21, 2021, he recorded 35 points to lead Memphis to an overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, securing the team’s first playoff berth in four seasons. In his playoff debut two days later, he scored 26 points in an upset victory over the top-seeded Utah Jazz. He followed with 47 points in Game 2, though Memphis was eliminated in five games.
The 2021-22 season marked Morant’s breakout as an NBA superstar. He scored 40 or more points four times during the regular season, including a career-high 52 points against the San Antonio Spurs on February 28, 2022, setting the Grizzlies franchise record. He earned his first All-Star selection and was named NBA Most Improved Player and All-NBA Second Team. Memphis won the Southwest Division title with 56 wins despite Morant missing 25 games due to injury. In the playoffs, he recorded the first triple-double in Grizzlies franchise history and scored a playoff career-high 47 points against the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the second round.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2022-Present)
On July 6, 2022, Morant signed a five-year contract extension worth $193 million, potentially worth up to $231 million with All-NBA incentives. He continued his high-level play, becoming the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in triple-doubles with 10 career triple-doubles by February 2023. He earned his second All-Star selection in 2023. However, the 2022-23 season was also marked by controversy. In March 2023, Morant was suspended for eight games after an Instagram Live video showed him displaying a gun at a Colorado nightclub. He later entered a counseling program and was suspended for an additional 25 games in June 2023 following a second incident.
Morant returned from suspension on December 19, 2023, scoring 34 points including a game-winning shot against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, on January 8, 2024, he underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery after sustaining a subluxation during practice, playing only nine games. The 2024-25 season brought further challenges. Morant suffered a knee injury in November 2024 attempting a dunk and announced he would no longer attempt dunks to avoid injury risk. On March 28, 2025, the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with nine games remaining. Morant expressed frustration over his decreased touches throughout the season. The 2025-26 season saw Morant limited to 20 games due to a left elbow UCL sprain suffered on January 21, 2026, announced as season-ending on March 24.
Driving Style and Strengths
Morant is renowned for his exceptional first-step quickness, vertical explosiveness, and ability to finish through contact at the rim. His speed in transition and court vision make him one of the best playmakers in the NBA. He combines elite athleticism with improved shooting touch, particularly in the mid-range and at the free-throw line. His competitive drive and fearlessness in high-pressure moments define his competitive nature.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Morant’s most memorable moments are his 52-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in February 2022, his 47-point playoff games against the Golden State Warriors in both 2021 and 2022, and his game-winning layup in the 2021 play-in tournament. He became Murray State’s all-time leader in career assists and had his number 12 retired by the university.
Ja Morant Career Wins
Morant has accumulated numerous achievements across his college and professional career, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished young players in basketball.
NBA Highlights
In the NBA, Morant has earned NBA Rookie of the Year (2020), NBA Most Improved Player (2022), All-NBA Second Team (2022), and has been a two-time All-Star in 2022 and 2023. He has recorded multiple 40-point games, including a career-high 52 points, and owns the Grizzlies franchise record for most points in a game. His 10 career triple-doubles make him the franchise’s all-time leader in that category.
Other Wins and Performances
In college, Morant was a consensus first-team All-American, won the Lute Olson Award and Bob Cousy Award, and was the NCAA assists leader as a sophomore. He won OVC Player of the Year and led Murray State to an OVC Tournament championship and NCAA Tournament run that included a triple-double in the Big Dance.
Ja Morant Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Morant was raised by his parents Tee and Jamie Morant in Dalzell, South Carolina. His mother played point guard in high school and softball in college, while his father played basketball for Claflin University and was a high school teammate of NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen. Tee played semi-professionally and considered pursuing a professional career overseas but chose to stay home and become a barber when Jamie became pregnant with Ja. Morant trained in his backyard with his father, who taught him step-back jump shots and used creative training methods to develop his jumping ability.
Personal Life
Morant has a younger sister, Teniya, who played basketball with him growing up and now competes at Mississippi Valley State. He has the words “beneath no one” tattooed on his left arm, advice his mother gave him. He has a daughter who was born on August 7, 2019. Morant’s explosive athleticism and playing style draw comparisons to Russell Westbrook, whom he has cited as his favorite player because both were often overlooked. In 2021, he released a six-episode documentary titled Promiseland chronicling his rookie NBA season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season represented a challenging chapter for Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. After missing most of the previous season due to shoulder surgery, Morant returned and suffered another injury in November 2024 when he attempted a dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers, forcing him to miss 10 games. He subsequently announced he would no longer attempt dunks to protect his body from further injury. The season took another dramatic turn when the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins on March 28, 2025, with nine games remaining. Morant had expressed frustration throughout the season about his decreased touches, points, and efficiency compared to previous years. The team finished with a 44-29 record, nearly securing a playoff berth. The 2025-26 season began with Morant limited to just 20 games due to a left elbow UCL sprain in January 2026, ultimately ending his season in March. Despite these setbacks, Morant averaged 19.5 points per game in his abbreviated season, demonstrating his ability to contribute when healthy. As he enters the 2026-27 season, Morant aims to stay healthy and lead the Grizzlies back to championship contention under new circumstances while continuing to showcase his unique blend of speed, playmaking, and scoring ability.