Ja Morant

 Ja Morant: From Underrated Prospect to NBA Superstar

​Early Life and Family Background

Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, to Tee and Jamie Morant. His mother, Jamie, was a point guard in high school and a college softball player, while his father, Tee, played basketball at Claflin University and was a high school teammate of NBA legend Ray Allen. Upon learning of Jamie's pregnancy, Tee chose to forgo his professional basketball aspirations to become a barber and focus on raising Ja .​

Ja's basketball journey began in his backyard, where his father trained him rigorously, including using tractor tires to enhance his jumping ability. He played for the South Carolina Hornets in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), sharing the court with future NBA star Zion Williamson for a season .​

High School Career at Crestwood

Attending Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, Morant quickly made a name for himself. Over his high school career, he amassed 1,679 points, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer. In his junior and senior years, he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, earning South Carolina Class 3A All-State honors .

Despite his impressive stats, Morant was not ranked by major recruiting services and received limited college offers. His break came when James Kane, an assistant coach from Murray State University, discovered him during a camp while scouting another player. Impressed by Morant's performance in a three-on-three game, Kane recommended him to head coach Matt McMahon, leading to a scholarship offer .​

Collegiate Success at Murray State

Morant played two seasons (2017–2019) for the Murray State Racers, appearing in 65 games. In his sophomore year, he led the NCAA with 10.0 assists per game and averaged 24.5 points and 5.7 rebounds, becoming the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season .​

During the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Morant recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists against Marquette, marking only the eighth triple-double in tournament history . His outstanding performance earned him the Bob Cousy Award and Consensus First-Team All-American honors .​

NBA Career with the Memphis Grizzlies

Declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant was selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. He made an immediate impact, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in his rookie season, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award .​

In the 2021–2022 season, Morant's performance soared, averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. He was named to the All-NBA Second Team, selected as an NBA All-Star, and received the NBA Most Improved Player award .​

As of the 2024–2025 season, Morant continues to be a cornerstone for the Grizzlies, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game .​

Personal Life and Off-Court Activities

Morant has a daughter, Kaari Jaidyn Morant, born on August 7, 2019, with ex-girlfriend KK Dixon. Kaari often attends Grizzlies games and has a significant social media presence, with over 190,000 followers on Instagram .​

Off the court, Morant faced challenges in 2023, including two suspensions for displaying firearms on social media, resulting in a combined 33-game suspension . Despite these setbacks, he has expressed a commitment to personal growth and maintaining a positive image.​

Morant's diet includes home-cooked meals from his parents, favoring his mother's spaghetti and his father's barbecue ribs. He utilizes Hyperice equipment, massages, and stretching routines for recovery, emphasizing the importance of physical maintenance in his performance .​