Ja Morant

Who Is Ja Morant?

Temetrius Jamel Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina. He later became known simply as “Ja” — pronounced “Jah.”

He is fast. He is fearless. He is one of the most explosive point guards the NBA has ever seen.

Morant was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He quickly made an impression on fans with his dynamic and high-flying acrobatic plays. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2020.

However, his story is not without complexity. That early promise was later derailed in 2023, when he received two suspensions for brandishing guns on social media. Morant’s performance subsequently declined amid a series of injuries and further controversies. In 2026, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Today, Ja Morant stands at a crossroads. He is wildly talented. Most importantly, he is ready for a fresh start.

Early Life: A Small Town, a Big Dream

Dalzell, South Carolina — Where It All Began

Dalzell is a quaint, rural town of 2,260 on the outskirts of Sumter, South Carolina. It is largely made up of miles of farmland. There are few restaurants and no grocery stores — just a couple of Dollar General stores scattered among some gas stations.

This is where Ja Morant grew up. This is where his dream was born.

He grew up in a very close-knit, supportive family that has been integral to his success as an NBA player. He frequently attributes his humble beginnings to keeping him rooted amid superstardom.

A Family Built for Basketball

The Morant family’s reputation as athletes didn’t begin with Ja. His grandfather and his uncle were both drafted into the MLB. His mother, Jamie, was a two-sport athlete — excelling in both softball and basketball.

His father, Tee, played DII basketball at Claflin University and came just short of fulfilling his own NBA dreams. Furthermore, Tee Morant was a high school teammate of future NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen, and their team won the state championship in the 1992–93 season.

Morant’s name itself pays tribute to both parents. Temetrius is in honor of his father Tee, while Jamel is a nod to his mother Jamie.

The Backyard Coach

Tee Morant considered playing professionally overseas. However, when Jamie became pregnant with Ja, he gave up those plans to support his family. He became a barber.

He never stopped coaching, though. Tee Morant then channeled all his basketball knowledge into training his two kids — Ja and younger sister Teniya — daily in their backyard.

As a middle schooler, Morant was relatively undersized and lacked elite-level speed and quickness. So Tee Morant drilled his son on footwork, jumping, and other skills. A growth spurt eventually helped Ja reach 6 feet 2 inches — and a strong work ethic was instilled that would define his entire career.

Ja himself reflected on those early days: “At a young age, jumping those tires wasn’t fun. I used to be kind of mad. But honestly, it all paid off.”

He also carries his mother’s words with him permanently. Morant tattooed his mother’s advice of “beneath no one” on his left arm.

High School: Crestwood’s All-Time Leading Scorer

Ja Morant attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina.

He dominated from the start. He left Crestwood as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,679 career points. He also set a career-high of 47 points in a single game. Throughout his junior and senior years, he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. He was the three-time All-Region MVP.

Despite all of this, the major college programs never came calling. Coming out of high school, Morant was not ranked by any recruiting services. His best offer came from South Carolina. Other offers included Duquesne, Maryland Eastern Shore, South Carolina State, Wofford, and Murray State.

He chose Murray State. It would prove to be the best decision of his life.

College Career: The Accidental Discovery at Murray State

Found by Chance

Ja Morant was discovered by accident. Murray State coach James Kane was at a concession stand in a high school gym when his assistant noticed Ja during a practice session. One accidental glance changed the trajectory of an entire career.

A Historic Sophomore Season

In his sophomore year, Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, earning national attention and the interest of NBA scouts.

This was not just impressive. It was historic. Morant became the first player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game for a single season.

His breakout moment came during the 2019 NCAA Tournament, where he recorded a triple-double in the first round. Additionally, he earned the Bob Cousy Award, the Lute Olson Award, the OVC Player of the Year, and Consensus First-Team All-American honors.

Murray State has since retired his No. 12 jersey — an honor that speaks to just how much he meant to the program.

After two brilliant seasons, Morant declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. The basketball world was ready for him.

NBA Career: Memphis, Milestones, and a Messy Exit

2019 Draft and Rookie Season

Morant was selected by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft — right behind Zion Williamson. He was also the first member of the 2019 Draft class to sign a deal with Nike.

His debut season was breathtaking. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and earned the NBA All-Rookie First Team honor.

Becoming a Superstar (2021–2022)

Morant’s ascent was unstoppable in the 2021–22 season. He was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter in 2022. He won the NBA Most Improved Player Award and was selected to his first All-NBA Second Team.

He led the franchise to back-to-back Southwest Division titles in 2022 and 2023, though the team failed to advance beyond the Western Conference semifinals.

With his court vision, agility, and leaping ability, Morant was compared to stars like Russell Westbrook, Allen Iverson, and Chris Paul.

The $197 Million Extension

Morant signed a five-year maximum rookie extension worth $197 million ahead of the 2022–23 season. He was one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. The future seemed limitless.

Then came the controversies.

Controversies: The Suspensions That Changed Everything

First Gun Incident — March 2023 (8-Game Suspension)

In March 2023, a video surfaced of Morant displaying a firearm while in an intoxicated state at a Denver-area nightclub during an Instagram Live stream. He was suspended eight games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.

Morant checked himself into a clinic for stress management after the Denver incident. He issued apologies. He promised to change. However, he did not stop.

Second Gun Incident — May 2023 (25-Game Suspension)

On May 13, 2023, less than two months after his first suspension, Morant appeared on Instagram Live again — this time displaying a firearm while in a car with several friends leaving a social gathering in Memphis.

The NBA suspended him for 25 games without pay. Conditions for his return were also included. Morant issued a statement taking full accountability for his actions.

His father, Tee Morant, was candid about the situation, publicly stating that his son got suspended “because of his decisions.”

Struggles to Return and Further Issues (2023–2026)

Morant returned to action in December 2023 after serving his suspension but was only active for nine games before needing season-ending shoulder surgery in early January.

The 2024–25 season brought further issues. He played in just 50 games and averaged 23.2 points and 7.3 assists per game. In the 2025–26 season, he missed significant time because of a ligament sprain in his left elbow.

He only played in 20 games during the 2025–26 season due to injuries to his calf and ankle. He also served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team following a heated confrontation with Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Trade to Portland: A Fresh Start

The Blockbuster Deal

The Memphis Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It ended Morant’s seven-year tenure in Memphis.

Morant has two years and around $87 million left on his maximum rookie extension.

Morant Speaks Out

Ja Morant said that his offseason trade to Portland would give him the chance to “start fresh” and prove that his “bad guy” image is a misconception. In his first public comments since the trade, he said: “What would I like cleared up? I think you know the answer to that. My image. That I’m a bad guy. I’m Ja. I’ve done what I’ve done in the past, but it’s been addressed and handled already. I don’t see why, years later, that’s still the topic when nothing’s happened since. If I was that guy, y’all wouldn’t be talking to me now. I wouldn’t be here.”

Portland’s New Backcourt

The backcourt in Portland is already crowded with veterans, including Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard — who returned to the franchise on a three-year deal after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe round out the depth chart at guard.

Morant envisions a high-octane small-ball lineup alongside Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday to spark wins.

Elbow Injury Clouds 2025–26

The Grizzlies — before the trade — announced on March 24, 2026, that Morant would miss the remainder of the 2025–26 season while recovering from a UCL sprain in his left elbow. He recently received a platelet-rich plasma injection. The injury raises questions about his readiness. However, at 26, his best basketball could still be ahead of him.

Personal Life: Fatherhood, Family, and Faith

Daughter Kaari Jaidyn Morant

Ja Morant and his former longtime girlfriend Kadre “KK” Dixon share a daughter named Kaari Jaidyn Morant, born on August 7, 2019. Kaari was born prematurely but has grown into a healthy and vibrant child who is frequently seen at games, often sharing heartwarming moments with her father on the court.

Although Morant and Dixon are no longer together, they co-parent their daughter. As of 2026, Morant remains focused on fatherhood and his career.

Faith, Tattoos, and Values

Morant is a devout Christian and has several tattoos that reflect his faith. Beyond the “beneath no one” tattoo inspired by his mother, his body art tells the story of a man defined by love of family and belief in purpose.

In a 2024 NBA Media Day interview, Morant declared: “Basketball is my passion and my job. I am my happiest version on the court, and a happy Ja is unstoppable.”

Career Statistics Summary

Season	Team	Games	PPG	RPG	APG
2019–20	Memphis Grizzlies	67	17.8	3.9	7.3
2020–21	Memphis Grizzlies	63	19.1	4.0	7.4
2021–22	Memphis Grizzlies	57	27.4	5.7	6.7
2022–23	Memphis Grizzlies	61	26.2	5.9	8.1
2023–24	Memphis Grizzlies	9	25.1	5.6	8.0
2024–25	Memphis Grizzlies	50	23.2	4.1	7.3
2025–26	Memphis Grizzlies	20	19.5	3.3	8.1
Career	—	—	22.4	4.6	7.4

Career Honours and Awards

Award	Year
NBA Rookie of the Year	2020
NBA All-Rookie First Team	2020
2× NBA All-Star	2022, 2023
All-NBA Second Team	2022
NBA Most Improved Player	2022
Consensus First-Team All-American	2019
Bob Cousy Award	2019
Lute Olson Award	2019
OVC Player of the Year	2019
OVC Tournament MVP	2019
2× First-Team All-OVC	2018, 2019
#12 Retired by Murray State	—