Who is Ja Morant? Learn about Ja Morant, the NBA rising star who is making waves with his amazing skills. Also learn more about his personal life and why he was suspended.
Who is Ja Morant
Temetrius Jamel Morant (commonly known as “Ja”) is an American basketballer who currently plays for Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association. He was born August 10, 1999. Morant played college ball for the Murray State Racers. In his second year, he was named to the first team All-American.
Morant, despite being named All-Region Most Valuable Player and receiving All-State Honors at Crestwood High School, Sumter, South Carolina was not heavily ranked or recruited by NCAA Division I schools. He made an immediate impact at Murray State University. His freshman year, he was named to the first team of all-conference in the Ohio Valley Conference. Morant’s sophomore year was a breakout one, as he won the OVC Player-of-the Year award, and led the NCAA in assists. Morant was also the first NCAA player to average over 20 points per game and more than 10 assists in a season.
The Grizzlies chose Morant as the second pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. In 2020, Morant was named NBA Rookie Of The Year. He was also selected to start his first NBA All-Star Game in 2022. Morant was named NBA Most Improved player at the end of his season and selected for his first All-NBA Team.
Who is Ja Morant’s father and mother?
Ja Morant is the son of Jamie and Tee Morant. He was born in Dalzell (South Carolina) to Tee Morant. His mother Jamie played softball in high school and at college, and his father, Ray Allen’s high school teammate, played basketball at Claflin University. Tee played semi-professional basketball for a short time and even considered going overseas to play professionally. However, when Jamie became pregnant, Tee gave up on his dreams of becoming a basketball player and instead became a barber.
Tee, Ja’s dad, played a major role in Ja’s early basketball training. He taught him how to do step-back jumps and bought tractor tires so he could practice landing softly after jumping. Ja was a youngster when he faced many older opponents. He never shrank from the challenge. He played Amateur Athletic Union basketball (AAU) with the South Carolina Hornets – a small grassroots South Carolina team. He was teammates with Zion Williamson during one season. Williamson went on to become one of the best players in his age group.
Ja went to Crestwood High School, Sumter, South Carolina. In his first three seasons, he grew 6 inches taller. He was the top scorer at Crestwood with 1,679 and scored a career high 47 points against Sumter. In his two last seasons, he averaged 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per match, earning South Carolina Class 3A All-State recognition both years. In high school, he was named All-Region Most Valuable Player 3 times. Ja did not learn to dunk until he was in his senior year.
How high can Ja Morant jump?
Ja Morant, a high-energy player in the NBA is known for his ability dunk even on the tallest of defenders. He’s already made some impressive posters in this season. For example, when he changed hands midair while dunking on New Orleans Pelicans CJ McCollum. Morant, despite not being the most explosive player in the league, is still able throw it down with ease around the rim. It’s important to note that Morant, who was drafted as the second-best player in 2019, recorded a 44 inch vertical jump during his Memphis Grizzlies workouts. This is an impressive achievement, but he does not rank among the top three players for vertical jumps.
Zach LaVine has the third highest vertical, with a 46-inch height. LaVine, a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, has been hindered by lower body injuries. He is no longer able to bounce as high as he once did. Dennis Smith Jr., Keon Johnson and others tied for the first place with 48-inch verticals. Johnson, who was drafted only in 2021, has played in the NBA for only five seasons. Morant might not have been in the top three verticals of the NBA but he’s provided many memorable posters throughout the years.
Morant has performed some of the most impressive dunks in his career, including a rare alley oop windmill on a fast break against the Boston Celtics and a self-alley oop off the glass against the San Antonio Spurs. Morant has consistently dunked on defenders despite not having the highest vertical.
What is the origin of Ja Morant?
Ja Morant is the son of Jamie and Tee Morant. He was born in Dalzell (South Carolina). Jamie Morant, his mother, was a point guard at high school, and played softball and basketball in college. His father, Ray Allen, played basketball and softball for Claflin University. Tee played semi-professionally, and he had considered going overseas to play professionally. Jamie gave up his basketball career when he became pregnant with Ja.
Ja Morant’s father, Tee taught him to make step-back jump shots. He also provided him with tractor tire to practice softly landing and jumping in their backyard. Ja Morant was a fearless child who faced bigger opponents and told his mother “I don’t worry about the big children.” He played for the South Carolina Hornets in the Amateur Athletic Union circuit, a small grassroots club in Columbia, South Carolina. Zion Williamson, who went on to become one of the best players in his age group, was his teammate for a season.
Ja Morant suspended again
Memphis Grizzlies suspended Ja Morant after he appeared in an Instagram Live to be holding a gun. Morant had been involved in a similar situation just two months earlier. The suspension is pending a review by the league. The NBA released a statement stating that they were aware of the situation, and are gathering more information.
In a video that is circulating on social networks, Morant can be seen briefly in a car holding what looks like a gun with a friend. The firearm may be real, or it could belong to Morant. The 23-year old player has yet to comment on the video.
Morant is regarded as one of the NBA’s most talented young players. His conduct in the past has been a cause for concern. He was suspended from eight games in March after being caught on camera flashing a weapon at a Colorado strip-club. Morant apologized and sought counseling after the incident.
The recent video showing Morant holding a gun may have more consequences for his future career. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Morant’s behavior as “irresponsible and reckless” in March. Morant’s salary dropped by approximately $669,000.
Morant was also involved in an incident in March in which Indiana Pacers players reported what they believed to be a laser gun sight pointed at them following a match. Morant has also been sued for an incident that occurred at his house last summer, in which a teenager claimed he was assaulted by Morant and another friend during a basketball game. The teenager claims that Morant then came out with a gun from his home.
Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Grizzlies in the first round in 2022-23’s playoffs after finishing second in the Western Conference.