Ja Morant
Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant (born August 10, 1999) is an American professional basketball player who serves as the point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1][2] Renowned for his exceptional athleticism, explosive dunks, and elite playmaking ability, Morant was selected second overall in the 2019 NBA draft following a collegiate career at Murray State University where he averaged 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 10.0 assists per game as a junior.[3][2] His rapid rise included winning the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 2020, earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 2022, the Most Improved Player award that same year, and selections to the All-Star Game in 2022 and 2023.[1][2] Morant's tenure with the Grizzlies has also been defined by significant off-court controversies, notably two suspensions in 2023 totaling 33 games for displaying firearms during Instagram Live videos, the second incident prompting a league investigation into repeated conduct detrimental to the NBA.[4][5] These absences tested the team's performance but underscored Morant's central role, as he has since returned to lead the Grizzlies in scoring and assists during regular-season play.[6][2]
Early life
Family background and upbringing
Temetrius Jamel Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, to parents Tee Morant and Jamie Morant.[7][8] He has a younger sister, Teniya Morant, with whom he grew up in the Dalzell area, a small unincorporated community near Sumter characterized by rural surroundings and limited urban infrastructure.[8][9] Both parents were former college athletes who emphasized competition and sports in the household; Jamie Morant played point guard in basketball and also competed in softball, while Tee Morant was a skilled basketball player who later transitioned to barbering after forgoing a prolonged playing career.[10][11] The family maintained a middle-class lifestyle sufficient for comfort without extravagance, including hosting informal pickup basketball games at home that dated back to Morant's childhood and involved local participants.[11][12] Tee Morant served as his son's primary early coach, constructing a modular basketball court in the backyard and pushing him to compete against physically superior older opponents from a young age to build resilience and skill.[13][14] This hands-on guidance, combined with the parents' athletic backgrounds, fostered Morant's early dedication to basketball in a low-profile, community-oriented environment far removed from major scouting hubs or elite youth programs.[10][13]High school career
Morant attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, where he played varsity basketball and developed into a standout player despite initial physical limitations.[15] He experienced notable growth, reaching 6 feet 3 inches by his junior year, which enhanced his athleticism and enabled his first dunks.[16] Over his high school career, Morant set a personal high of 47 points in a game and concluded as Crestwood's all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points.[17][15] In his junior and senior seasons, Morant earned South Carolina Class 3A All-State honors both years, contributing to his three-time All-State selections overall.[15] He also secured All-Region MVP recognition three times.[15] These performances in a Class 3A program highlighted his scoring, playmaking, and rebounding prowess, though specific seasonal averages are reported as approximately 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game in his final two years.[18] Despite his regional accolades, Morant received limited recruitment attention from major Division I programs, garnering only two scholarship offers— from South Carolina State and Maryland-Eastern Shore—prior to his senior year.[16] His profile rose after a strong showing at an AAU combine, leading to interest from mid-major schools like Murray State. In December 2021, Crestwood retired his number 12 jersey in recognition of his contributions.[19]College career
Freshman year
Morant joined the Murray State Racers in the 2017–18 season, playing as a point guard under head coach Matt McMahon.[15] He appeared in all 32 games, starting each one and averaging 34.0 minutes per contest.[20] In his freshman campaign, Morant averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, while shooting 45.9% from the field and ranking among the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) leaders in multiple categories, including being the only freshman in the top 20 for points, rebounds, and assists.[20][21] He recorded his first collegiate triple-double on December 28, 2017, against Eastern Illinois University, contributing to a Racers victory.[22] Morant earned OVC Freshman of the Week honors multiple times, including after strong performances in February 2018 against Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky, where he averaged double-digit points and assists.[22] Morant's play helped propel the Racers to a 26–6 overall record and a 16–2 mark in OVC play, securing the regular-season conference championship.[23] The team advanced through the OVC Tournament, defeating Jacksonville State and Belmont to claim the title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they fell in the first round to West Virginia.[23] For his efforts, Morant was selected to the All-OVC Freshman Team.[20]Sophomore year
In the 2018–19 season, Morant's sophomore year at Murray State University, he emerged as one of the nation's top point guards, averaging 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game while starting all 33 contests.[20] His performance marked him as the first Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a season since the NCAA began officially tracking statistics in 1985–86.[24] These figures propelled the Racers to a 28–5 overall record and a 16–2 mark in Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play, securing a share of the regular-season title.[25] Morant earned OVC Player of the Year honors, consensus first-team All-American recognition, and MVP of the OVC Tournament, where he scored a career-high 36 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the championship victory over Belmont on March 9, 2019.[20][15] He also received the OVC Male Athlete of the Year award in May 2019 for his on-court dominance.[25] The Racers advanced to the NCAA Tournament as an 11 seed but fell 83–64 to Marquette in the first round on March 21, 2019, with Morant recording 17 points and four assists.[20] Following the season, on April 3, 2019, Morant announced his intention to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2019 NBA draft.[26]NBA career
2019–20 season
Morant was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.[27] He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, and started all 67 games he played in the regular season, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 31.0 minutes per game while shooting 47.7% from the field, 33.5% from three-point range, and 77.6% from the free-throw line.[2] Through the pre-suspension portion of the schedule ending March 11, 2020, he led all rookies in scoring (17.6 points per game) and assists (6.9 per game).[28] Morant recorded a league-high 11 double-doubles among rookies and the only triple-double by a rookie that season on February 9, 2020, against the Washington Wizards, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 106–99 victory.[29][30] He earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for October, November, and December 2019, becoming the second Grizzlies player to win the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award after Pau Gasol in 2001–02.[31][29] The Grizzlies compiled a 34–39 record, securing the Western Conference's 8th seed after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 126–122 in the play-in tournament on August 15, 2020, where Morant scored 16 points.[32] In the first round of the playoffs, Memphis was swept 4–0 by the [Los Angeles Lakers](/page/Los Angeles_Lakers); Morant averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.2 assists across the four games despite playing through a fractured thumb and upper leg injury.[33] He was named to the All-Rookie First Team and received the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award on September 3, 2020, with 99 of 100 first-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.[2][29]2020–21 season
In his sophomore NBA season, Ja Morant played 63 games for the Memphis Grizzlies, starting all of them and averaging 19.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 47.6% from the field.[2] His scoring and assist totals marked improvements from his rookie year, reflecting enhanced efficiency and playmaking as the Grizzlies' primary ball-handler.[34] The team finished with a 38–34 record, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference and qualifying for the playoffs via the play-in tournament. Morant encountered injuries that limited his availability, including a Grade 2 left ankle sprain sustained on December 29, 2020, during a game against the Houston Rockets, which sidelined him for approximately four weeks.[35] He also missed time due to back soreness and NBA health and safety protocols related to COVID-19.[36] Despite these setbacks, he posted standout performances, such as 35 points and 10 assists in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers on December 23, 2020. Morant was selected for the 2021 NBA Rising Stars Challenge as part of the U.S. Team, alongside teammates Brandon Clarke on the World Team, highlighting his emergence as a young talent.[37] In the playoffs, marking his postseason debut, the Grizzlies faced the Utah Jazz in the first round and lost the series 2–4. Morant averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across six games, showcasing his ability to elevate in high-stakes matchups despite the team's elimination.[33] His playoff output underscored his athletic explosiveness and decision-making under pressure, though the Grizzlies' relative inexperience contributed to defensive lapses against Utah's veteran core.[38]2021–22 season
In the 2021–22 season, Morant averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game across 57 appearances for the Memphis Grizzlies, who finished with a 56–26 record and the Western Conference's No. 2 seed.[2][39] On October 20, 2021, in the season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he scored 37 points on 17-of-29 shooting, including 30 in the paint, contributing to a 132–109 victory.[40] His performance earned him his first NBA All-Star selection as a Western Conference starter, along with NBA Most Improved Player honors and a spot on the All-NBA Second Team.[3][41] Morant missed 25 regular-season games due to injuries, including issues with his knee, hip, and back, which limited his availability late in the year.[42] Despite these absences, the Grizzlies posted a 36–21 record in games he played.[43] In the playoffs, Morant led Memphis to a first-round victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, recording 17 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists in the clinching Game 6.[44] The Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals but fell to the Golden State Warriors in six games, with Morant scoring a playoff-career-high 47 points in a Game 2 win.[45]2022–23 season
Morant entered the 2022–23 season as the Memphis Grizzlies' franchise cornerstone, following his Most Improved Player award the prior year. He averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game across 61 appearances, shooting 49.9% from the field and earning his second consecutive All-Star selection. The Grizzlies finished with a 51–31 record, securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. On March 4, 2023, Morant livestreamed on Instagram from a Denver-area nightclub, appearing to display a handgun while intoxicated.[46] The NBA investigated the incident, deeming it conduct detrimental to the league, and suspended him for eight games without pay on March 15, 2023.[47] Morant missed the subsequent eight contests, returning on April 9 against the Houston Rockets. In the playoffs, the Grizzlies faced the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Morant sat out Game 1 due to a hand injury sustained in practice, reportedly from punching a teammate.[48] He played the next five games, averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, but the series ended in a 4–2 defeat for Memphis.[49]2023–24 season
Morant began the 2023–24 season serving a 25-game suspension imposed by the NBA on June 16, 2023, for "conduct detrimental to the league," following a May 2023 Instagram Live video in which he displayed a firearm while in a vehicle with others.[50][51] This marked his second such incident, after an eight-game suspension the prior season for a similar gun-related video.[50] The suspension covered the first 25 games, rendering him ineligible until December 19, 2023.[50] Morant returned on December 19, 2023, against the New Orleans Pelicans, scoring 34 points, including 27 in the second half, in a 115–113 loss.[52] In his nine games played, all starts, he averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game, shooting 47.1% from the field, while the Grizzlies posted a 6–3 record in those contests.[2] On January 11, 2024, Morant underwent season-ending surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, sustained during a January 9 game against the Indiana Pacers, limiting him to those nine appearances.[2] The Grizzlies, hampered by injuries including Morant's absence and others like Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., finished with a 27–55 record, placing 13th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs.[53]2024–25 season
Morant appeared in 50 regular-season games for the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from three-point range, and 82.4% from the free-throw line.[2] The Grizzlies finished the regular season with a 48–34 record, securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference.[54] Morant's scoring and playmaking were central to the team's offensive output, though his season was interrupted by multiple injuries, including a hip issue on April 24, an ankle sprain on April 17, a shoulder problem on April 12, and illness on April 5, contributing to him missing 32 games overall.[42][2] In the playoffs, the Grizzlies faced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, where Morant played three games, averaging 18.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds per game on 41.5% field-goal shooting.[2] He suffered a left hip contusion during Game 3 against the Thunder, ruling him out for the remainder of that contest and effectively limiting his series participation.[55] The Grizzlies were eliminated early in the series.[56] Morant earned the AT&T NBA Dunk of the Year fan-voted award for a double-clutched two-handed reverse dunk against the Boston Celtics during the regular season.[57] No All-Star selection or All-NBA honors were reported for the season.[1]2025–26 season
Morant entered the 2025–26 season having recovered from a left ankle sprain sustained during practice on October 5, 2025, which caused him to miss all five preseason games.[58] He was listed as questionable for the season opener due to lingering ankle soreness but was cleared to play.[1] In the Grizzlies' opening game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 22, 2025, Morant scored 35 points, helping Memphis overcome a 15-point deficit for a 128–122 victory.[59] The performance marked a strong start, with Morant contributing significantly to the team's early-season momentum.[60] Morant remained questionable for the subsequent matchup against the Miami Heat on October 24, 2025, but participated, recording 12 points on 4-of-16 field goal shooting (0-of-4 from three-point range), along with 2 rebounds and 6 assists in 22 minutes during a 146–114 loss.[1] [61] Post-game, Morant emphasized moving forward from the defeat, focusing on upcoming contests.[61] As of October 25, 2025, Morant was again listed with left ankle soreness ahead of the game against the Indiana Pacers, though no further updates on his status were confirmed.[62]Playing style
Athletic strengths
Ja Morant's primary athletic strengths lie in his elite explosiveness and leaping ability, enabling him to elevate rapidly for acrobatic finishes above the rim. His reported maximum vertical leap measures 44 inches, surpassing the NBA guard positional average by eight inches, as analyzed by ESPN Sport Science.[63][64] This trait, verified in pre-draft evaluations, allows him to execute dunks from distances and angles that challenge defenders' reach.[65] Complementing his vertical prowess, Morant demonstrates exceptional speed and acceleration, facilitating quick transitions and blow-by drives in open court. Scouting reports highlight his burst as comparable to top explosive guards, with his first-step quickness disrupting defensive setups.[66][67] His agility enables tight ball-handling in confined spaces, maintaining balance through rapid directional changes.[68] While not possessing elite upper-body strength relative to larger NBA players, Morant's functional core and lower-body power support sustained high-intensity play, evidenced by his ability to absorb contact and finish through traffic.[69] His endurance sustains these attributes over full games, contributing to high-volume scoring and playmaking outputs.[70]Skill set and weaknesses
Morant's primary strengths lie in his explosive athleticism, featuring elite speed, quickness, and leaping ability that enable him to dominate in transition, evade defenders on drives, and finish with acrobatic dunks at the rim.[69][71] This physical profile, combined with polished ball-handling—including advanced crossovers, hesitations, and direction changes—allows him to create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates through blow-by attacks and pull-up jumpers in the mid-range.[69] His playmaking stands out due to exceptional court vision and creative passing, evidenced by his college average of 9.3 assists per game and an innate ability to thread passes through tight spaces or deliver lob opportunities off pick-and-rolls.[69][71] Morant also demonstrates solid free-throw shooting (around 80% in college) and potential in spot-up situations, though his overall offensive versatility relies heavily on operating with the ball in his hands.[69] Defensively, he possesses tools like long arms, lateral quickness, and instincts that contribute to steals (1.8 per game in college) and occasional blocks, providing upside in on-ball pressure and transition disruption.[69][72] Key weaknesses include inconsistent perimeter shooting, particularly from three-point range, where his NBA career percentage stands at 31.6%, limiting spacing and forcing reliance on drives that defenses can load up against.[73][69] A thin frame (175 pounds at draft time) hampers his ability to absorb contact, leading to lower-efficiency finishes under pressure and vulnerability to physical guards.[69][71] Turnovers represent another liability, with rates elevated due to ambitious mid-air passes and over-dribbling (5+ turnovers in multiple college games), reflecting a high-risk style that prioritizes flash over security.[72][71] His explosive athleticism, while a core asset, carries long-term risks of injury from awkward landings and relentless intensity, as seen in early NBA close calls and absences totaling over 60 games across seasons due to various ailments.[72] Defensively, his career rating of 113.2 indicates mediocrity, with inconsistencies in effort and positioning off-ball exacerbating team vulnerabilities when he gambles for steals.[74]Career statistics
NBA regular season
Morant's NBA regular season career averages through the 2024–25 season include 23.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game across 307 games played.[2]| Season | Age | Team | GP | GS | MP | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 20 | MEM | 67 | 67 | 31.0 | 6.7 | 14.0 | .477 | 0.9 | 2.7 | .335 | 3.6 | 4.6 | .776 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 17.8 |
| 2020-21 | 21 | MEM | 63 | 63 | 32.6 | 6.8 | 15.2 | .449 | 1.2 | 3.8 | .303 | 4.3 | 5.9 | .728 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 7.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 19.1 |
| 2021-22 | 22 | MEM | 57 | 57 | 33.1 | 10.2 | 20.6 | .493 | 1.5 | 4.5 | .344 | 5.5 | 7.3 | .761 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 27.4 |
| 2022-23 | 23 | MEM | 61 | 59 | 31.9 | 9.3 | 19.9 | .466 | 1.5 | 4.9 | .307 | 6.1 | 8.1 | .748 | 1.0 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 8.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | 24 | MEM | 9 | 9 | 35.3 | 8.9 | 18.9 | .471 | 1.6 | 5.7 | .275 | 5.8 | 7.1 | .813 | 0.7 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 8.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 25.1 |
| 2024-25 | 25 | MEM | 50 | 50 | 30.4 | 8.1 | 17.8 | .454 | 1.8 | 5.7 | .309 | 5.3 | 6.4 | .824 | 0.7 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 23.2 |
NBA playoffs
Morant has competed in the NBA playoffs in four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, appearing in 22 games across five series and advancing past the first round only once, to the 2022 Western Conference semifinals.[2] [75] His career playoff per-game averages include 36.8 minutes played, 26.0 points scored, 6.2 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 3.5 turnovers, with shooting efficiencies of 45.3% on field goals, 33.9% on three-pointers, and 75.8% on free throws.[76] [2]| Season | G | MP | PTS | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 5 | 40.6 | 30.2 | 4.8 | 8.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3.4 | .487 | .323 | .775 |
| 2021–22 | 9 | 37.4 | 27.0 | 8.0 | 9.8 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 3.6 | .426 | .278 | .760 |
| 2022–23 | 5 | 37.4 | 24.6 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 3.4 | .425 | .419 | .769 |
| 2024–25 | 3 | 27.3 | 18.3 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 2.0 | .415 | .250 | .636 |
| Career | 22 | 36.8 | 26.0 | 6.2 | 8.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 3.5 | .453 | .339 | .758 |
College
Morant, an unranked high school recruit from Crestwood High School in South Carolina, committed to Murray State University on September 2, 2016, without an official visit, marking the only Division I scholarship offer he received after being overlooked by major programs.[77] As a freshman during the 2017–18 season, he debuted on November 10, 2017, recording 7 points and 11 assists in a 118–61 win over Brescia University.[20] Over 32 games, Morant averaged 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and 80.6% from the free-throw line, earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) honors.[20][78] In his sophomore season of 2018–19, Morant emerged as a national standout, leading the NCAA with 10.0 assists per game and 331 total assists while averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game across 33 contests, with improved shooting at 49.9% from the field and 81.3% from the free-throw line.[20] He received consensus first-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press, National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, United States Basketball Writers Association, and Wooden Award selectors, along with the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard and the Lute Olson National Player of the Year honor.[20][79] Additionally, Morant was named OVC Player of the Year, helping Murray State secure the conference regular-season title.[15] Under coach Matt McMahon, the Racers earned an NCAA Tournament berth as a No. 12 seed, defeating No. 5 Marquette 83–64 in the first round on March 21, 2019, where Morant posted the first triple-double in the tournament since 2012 with 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds.[80] Their run ended in the second round with a 90–62 loss to No. 4 Florida State.[81] Following the season, Morant declared for the 2019 NBA draft on March 23, 2019, forgoing his junior year.[20]| Season | Team | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Murray State | 32 | 34.0 | 12.7 | 6.5 | 6.3 | 1.2 | .459 | .806 |
| 2018–19 | Murray State | 33 | 36.6 | 24.5 | 5.7 | 10.0 | 1.8 | .499 | .813 |
| Career | 65 | 35.3 | 18.7 | 6.1 | 8.2 | 1.5 | .481 | .810 |
Awards and honors
Ja Morant was named NBA Rookie of the Year for the 2019–20 season, leading all rookies in scoring average (17.8 points per game) and assists (7.3 per game).[1] He also earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors that year, receiving 98 of 100 first-team votes from the media panel.[2] In the 2021–22 season, Morant won the NBA Most Improved Player Award after increasing his scoring average to 27.4 points per game and leading the Grizzlies to 56 wins.[1] He was selected as the Western Conference All-Star starter, marking his first All-Star appearance, and named to the All-NBA Second Team.[41] Morant made his second consecutive NBA All-Star appearance in 2023 as a reserve.[82] He was named NBA Player of the Week three times: January 3, 2022; January 10, 2022; and December 26, 2023.[83] Additionally, in July 2025, he received the 2024–25 NBA Dunk of the Year Award for a double-clutch reverse slam against the Boston Celtics.[84]| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2019–20 | NBA Rookie of the Year[1] |
| 2019–20 | NBA All-Rookie First Team[2] |
| 2021–22 | NBA Most Improved Player[1] |
| 2021–22 | All-NBA Second Team[41] |
| 2021–22 | NBA All-Star (starter)[3] |
| 2022–23 | NBA All-Star (reserve)[82] |
| 2024–25 | NBA Dunk of the Year[84] |