Ja Morant

Temetrius Jamel Morant was born in Dalzell, South Carolina,{{cite news|last=Wallace|first=Michael|title=MikeCheck: Morant makes dominant first impression at Chicago's NBA Lottery, Combine|date=May 17, 2019|website=NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grind-city-media/morant-makes-dominant-first-impression-at-chicago-nba-lottery-combine-190517|access-date=March 2, 2020}} on August 10, 1999, to Tee and Jamie Morant.{{cite web |title=Ja Morant |url=https://goracers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7643 |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=December 24, 2018}} His mother, Jamie, was a point guard in high school and a softball player in college,{{cite news|last=Yates|first=Clinton|title=Ja Morant: Point God from the back road|date=June 20, 2019|work=Andscape|url=https://andscape.com/features/ja-morant-point-god-from-the-back-road/|access-date=March 2, 2020}} while his father was a high school teammate of Ray Allen and played basketball for Claflin University. After playing semi-professionally,{{cite web |last1=Greer |first1=Jeff |title=Who's Ja Morant? The Murray State star is quietly making a name for himself and will soon be in an NBA city near you |url=https://theathletic.com/722371/2018/12/20/whos-ja-morant-the-murray-state-star-is-quietly-making-a-name-for-himself-and-will-soon-be-in-an-nba-city-near-you/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=December 20, 2018|url-access=subscription|quote=He briefly played for a semi-pro team in Columbia, but the franchise’s problems with paying its players led him to reconsider his options. He was flirting with playing overseas when Jamie told him the news: The Morants were going to have a son.}} Tee considered playing professional basketball overseas,{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Tim|title=Mid-major to millions: Ja Morant's life is changing quickly|date=May 17, 2019|publisher=The Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/258006f4d9d448fca1d9ce05a112369e|access-date=March 2, 2020}} but when Jamie became pregnant with Ja, he abandoned his basketball career and stayed at home,{{cite news|last=Ryan|first=Shannon|title=How Ja Morant went from an unranked player in high school to the likely No. 2 pick in the NBA draft|date=May 17, 2019|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-spt-ja-morant-nba-draft-combine-20190517-story.html|access-date=March 2, 2020|quote='Instead of going to play basketball, he stayed to raise me,' he said. 'That’s my motivation. I’m living my dream and his dream right now.'}} becoming a barber instead.

Morant trained in his backyard with his father, Tee Morant, who taught him step-back jump shots and bought tractor tires for him to practice jumping with a soft landing.{{cite web |last1=Sayers |first1=Justin |title=The best NBA prospect you've never heard of? Murray State's Ja Morant |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2019/01/29/murray-state-ja-morant-ground-despite-nba-draft-potential/2642806002/ |website=The Courier-Journal |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=January 29, 2019}} In his childhood, he often faced older opponents, telling his mother, "I'm not worried about the big kids." Morant played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with the South Carolina Hornets, a small grassroots team based in Columbia, South Carolina. For one season, he was teammates with Zion Williamson, who became one of the top players in the 2018 class.{{cite web |last1=Norlander |first1=Matt |title=Court Report: The real story of Ja Morant and Zion Williamson playing on the same AAU team |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/court-report-the-real-story-of-ja-morant-zion-williamson-playing-on-the-same-aau-team/ |work=CBS Sports |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=January 23, 2019}}

Morant attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina. He grew from {{height|ft=5|in=9}} to {{height|ft=6|in=0}} in his first three years with the team. Morant left as its all-time leading scorer, with 1,679 points, and scored a career-high 47 points against Sumter High School.{{cite web |last1=Aubrey |first1=Will |title=Racer recruiting class 'among 10 best' |url=https://theracerinsider.com/2016/11/10/racer-recruiting-class-among-10-best/ |publisher=Racer Insider |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=November 10, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202123406/https://theracerinsider.com/404.html |url-status=dead }} In his last two seasons at Crestwood, he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, earning South Carolina Class 3A All-State honors both years. Morant also left high school as a three-time All-Region Most Valuable Player (MVP). He could not dunk until he was a senior.

Morant was not ranked in the class of 2017 by recruiting services ESPN, 247Sports, or Rivals.{{cite web |title=Ja Morant, 2017 Point guard|url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2017/ja-morant-233377 |publisher=Rivals |access-date=December 26, 2018}}{{cite web |title=J.A. Morant |url= https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/225039|publisher=ESPN |access-date=April 19, 2020}}{{cite web |title=Temetrius Morant |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Temetrius-Morant-46035335/high-school-183728/ |access-date=December 26, 2018 |publisher=247Sports}} His only high major NCAA Division I offer came from South Carolina.{{cite web |last1=Hoy |first1=Jackson |title=2019 Draft Primer: Ja Morant, The Ultimate Sleeper |url=https://www.thestepien.com/2018/06/29/2019-draft-primer-ja-morant-the-ultimate-sleeper/ |publisher=The Stepien |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=June 29, 2018 |archive-date=December 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229115051/https://www.thestepien.com/2018/06/29/2019-draft-primer-ja-morant-the-ultimate-sleeper/ |url-status=dead }} He was accidentally discovered by mid-major program Murray State of the OVC in July 2016, when assistant coach James Kane attended a camp hoping to see a player who was joining his team. While looking for a snack, Kane noticed Morant playing a three-on-three game in an auxiliary gym; impressed, he contacted head coach Matt McMahon, who soon offered Morant a scholarship.{{cite web |last1=Dortch |first1=Chris |title=Once a little-known prospect, Morant has everyone's attention now |url=http://www.nba.com/article/2019/01/25/murray-state-ja-morant-diamond-rough |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=January 28, 2019 |date=January 25, 2019}} On September 3, 2016, Morant committed to playing for Murray State during dinner at McMahon's house.{{cite web |last1=Sandlin |first1=Blake |title=From Tee to Ja: Morant finishing what his father started |url=http://thenews.org/2018/02/22/from-tee-to-ja-morant-finishing-what-his-father-started/ |website=The Murray State News |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=February 22, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Byerly |first1=Justin |title=Future Racer: Ja Morant |url=https://www.prephoops.com/2017/02/future-racer-ja-morant/ |publisher=Prep Hoops |access-date=December 24, 2018 |date=February 16, 2017}} His father said, "Every parent wants their child to play at a big-time program, but what I realized is, don't go where you want to be, go to where they want you." His other Division I offers included Duquesne, Maryland Eastern Shore, South Carolina State, and Wofford.

On November 10, 2017, Morant debuted for Murray State with 7 points and a team-high 11 assists in a 118–61 victory over Brescia University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).{{cite web |title=Racers Lockdown Brescia - Hawkins On Fire With 28 Points |url=https://goracers.com/news/2017/11/10/mens-basketball-murray-state-vs-brescia.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=November 10, 2017}} He recorded his first career double-double on December 12, 2017, with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 69–55 loss to Saint Louis.{{cite web |title=Racers Can't Make Fast Start Last At Saint Louis |url=https://goracers.com/news/2017/12/12/mens-basketball-racers-at-slu.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=December 12, 2017}} He posted his first triple-double on December 28, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists in an 80–52 win over Eastern Illinois. It was the second triple-double in school history, the first coming from Isacc Miles in 1984, and was also the record for most assists at a CFSB Center game, surpassing the old mark of 12 established by Aubrey Reese against Alabama State in 1999.Murray State Basketball 2017-18 NCAA Tournament Guide, p. 9. Morant also had the third-most assists in a single game by a Murray State player.{{cite web |title=Morant's Triple-Double Leads Racers Past EIU |url=https://goracers.com/news/2017/12/28/mens-basketball-morants-triple-double-leads-racers-past-eiu.aspx?path=mbball |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=December 28, 2017}} On February 1, 2018, he scored a season-high 23 points against Southeast Missouri State.{{cite web |title=55-Point Second Half Leads Racers To 4th Straight Win |url=https://goracers.com/news/2018/2/1/mens-basketball-55-point-second-half-leads-racers-to-4th-straight-win.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=February 1, 2018}} After averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, Morant earned first-team All-OVC with his teammates Jonathan Stark and Terrell Miller, and OVC All-Newcomer Team accolades.{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=James |title=Racers' Stark earns player of the year |url=http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37605414/mens-basketball-ovc-honors-racers-stark-earns-player-of-the-year/ |publisher=KFVS-TV |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=February 27, 2018}} His 6.3 assists per game ranked 14th in the nation his freshman season.{{Cite web|url=https://goracers.com/news/2018/6/20/mens-basketball-morant-invited-to-chris-paul-camp.aspx|title=Morant Invited To Chris Paul Camp|website=Murray State University Athletics|date=June 20, 2018 |language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}} He became the seventh freshman in 25 years to accumulate 150 assists, 150 rebounds, and 10 blocks while shooting at least 42 percent from the field. Morant and Murray State advanced to the NCAA Tournament his freshman season after capturing an OVC championship in a 68–51 win over Belmont. Morant had 15 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in that game. Murray State would lose in its opening round game to West Virginia, however, falling 85–68 despite Morant's 14 points.{{Cite web|url=https://goracers.com/sports/mens-basketball/stats/2017-18/west-virginia/boxscore/5476|title=Men's Basketball vs West Virginia on 3/16/2018 - Box Score|website=Murray State University Athletics|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}

Morant began to register on the radar of some scouts the summer of his sophomore season in 2018. He was one of 20 players invited to Chris Paul's Elite Guard Camp, which Morant called, "an honor". When his sophomore season began, Morant assumed a leading role for Murray State with the departures of key players Jonathan Stark and Terrell Miller.{{cite web |last1=Hickey |first1=Pat |title=Next task for the Aces? Figuring out how to defend future NBA lottery pick Ja Morant of Murray State |url=https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/college/evansville/2018/12/17/evansville-basketball-next-path-ja-morant-and-murray-state/2339165002/ |website=Evansville Courier & Press |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=December 17, 2018}} In his season debut, he recorded 26 points and 11 assists in a 74–53 win against Wright State.{{cite web |last1=Winder |first1=Dave |title=Morant having impact at Murray State |url=https://www.theitem.com/stories/morant-having-impact-at-murray-state,318341 |website=The Item |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=November 16, 2018}} On November 24, 2018, Morant posted 29 points, a season-high 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 77–66 win over Missouri State, becoming the first Murray State player to ever record multiple triple-doubles.{{cite web |title=Morant leads Murray State past Missouri State 77-66 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2018/11/24/morant-leads-murray-state-past-missouri-state-77-66/38600371/ |website=USA Today |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=November 24, 2018}} In his next game, he scored a season-high 38 points in a 78–72 loss to Alabama, the 12th-most single-game points by a player in school history.{{cite web |title=Showman Morant Dazzles But Racers Fall At Alabama |url=https://goracers.com/news/2018/11/26/mens-basketball-racers-at-alabama.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=December 26, 2018 |date=November 26, 2018}} By around December 2018, Morant was almost unanimously projected as a top-five selection in the 2019 NBA draft, and in late January 2019, at least one outlet forecasted him as the first overall selection.{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/hungry-coach-led-discovery-viral-college-sensation-ja-morant-020738543.html |title=How a hungry coach led to the discovery of viral college sensation Ja Morant |first=Pat |last=Forde |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2019}} At that time, then-Yahoo! Sports journalist Pat Forde wrote, "He seems almost certain to be the first top-ten pick from a mid-major school in five years (Elfrid Payton, Louisiana–Lafayette), and could be the first true mid-major pick in the top five since Michael Olowokandi of Pacific went No. 1 in 1998."{{efn|Forde did not consider two top-five selections between 1998 and 2018 from schools outside the traditional power conferences to be "true mid-majors", saying "Lamar Odom, the No. 4 pick in 1999 out of Rhode Island, really doesn't fit the mid-major profile. He was a hugely celebrated recruit who took a rather scandalous route to a second-tier program. Neither does Adam Morrison, the No. 3 pick in 2006 out of decided non-mid-major Gonzaga."}}

On January 10, 2019, Morant was named to the midseason top 25 watch list for the John R. Wooden Award.{{cite web |title=College basketball: 2019 John Wooden Award midseason top 25 announced |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2019-01-09/2019-john-wooden-award-midseason-top-25-announced |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=January 10, 2019}} On the same day, he broke the school record for most assists in a single game, with 18, while scoring 26 points against UT Martin.{{cite web |title=Morant & Brown Lead Racers' Blitz At UTM |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/1/10/mens-basketball-morant-brown-lead-racers-blitz-at-utm.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=January 10, 2019}} He established a new scoring career high nine days later on January 19, when he recorded 40 points, 11 assists, and 5 steals, shooting 21-of-21 from the free throw line, in a victory over SIU Edwardsville.{{cite magazine |title=Ja Morant Scores 40, Murray State Rolls Past SIU-Edwardsville |url=https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2019/01/19/ja-morant-scores-40-points-murray-state-win |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=January 20, 2019 |date=January 19, 2019}} He broke the OVC record for most consecutive free throws made in a game, and he became the tenth player in Murray State history to record a 40-point game.{{cite web |title=Morant Sets OVC Free Throw Record - Racers Win At SIUE |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/1/19/mens-basketball-morant-sets-ovc-free-throw-record-racers-win-at-siue.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=January 20, 2019 |date=January 19, 2019}} Morant also became the first NCAA Division I men's player in 20 years to tally at least 40 points, 10 assists, and 5 steals in a single game. On February 2, Morant collected 28 points and 7 assists in a 67–63 win over Tennessee Tech. He broke the school single-season assist record of 212 set by Chad Townsend in the 1996–97 season.{{cite web |title=Racers Rally For Win At Tech - Morant Sets Assist Record |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/2/2/mens-basketball-racer-men-at-ttu.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=February 2, 2019}} After posting 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 14 assists in a 102–70 victory over Eastern Kentucky, Morant became the 46th Murray State player with 1,000 career points and eclipsed the OVC record for single-season assists previously held for 32 years by Duane Washington of Middle Tennessee.{{cite web |title=Racers Hit Century Mark - Morant Sets OVC Assist Record & Reaches 1,000 Points |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/2/16/mens-basketball-racers-hit-century-mark-morant-sets-ovc-record-reaches-1-000-points.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=February 16, 2019}}

At the end of the regular season, he was named OVC Player of the Year and first-team All-OVC, while leading the NCAA Division I in assists.{{cite web |title=Racer Trio Named All-OVC - Morant MVP & Buchanan Defensive POY |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/3/4/mens-basketball-all-ovc-men-awards.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=March 5, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Northam |first1=Mitchell |title=3 one-on-one matchups we can't wait to see in the NCAA tournament |url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/2019-03-18/3-one-one-matchups-we-cant-wait-see-ncaa-tournament |publisher=NCAA |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 20, 2019}} He later earned first-team All-American honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association and second-team All-American honors from The Sporting News.{{cite web |title=2018-19 Men's All-America Team |url=http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2019/allamerica190318.html |publisher=United States Basketball Writers Association |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 18, 2019}}{{cite web |title=Morant Named Second-Team All-American by Sporting News |url=http://www.ovcsports.com/news/2019/3/11/mens-basketball-morant-named-second-team-all-american-by-sporting-news.aspx |publisher=Ohio Valley Conference |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 11, 2019}} On March 8, in the semifinals of the OVC tournament versus Jacksonville State, Morant scored 29 points, including a game-winning three-point play.{{cite web |title=Morant hits winner, sends Murray St. to OVC final |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401121716 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=April 19, 2020|date=March 9, 2019}} One day later, he recorded 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in a 77–65 upset victory over the Belmont Bruins, who were playing without injured first team All-OVC center Nick Muszynski, for the OVC Tournament title.{{cite news |last1=He |first1=Eric |title=Ja Morant drops 36 points against Belmont as Murray State punches ticket to March Madness |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ja-morant-murray-state-punch-their-ticket-to-ncaa-tournament-031640957.html |work=Yahoo Sports |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=March 9, 2019}} Morant was subsequently named the tournament's MVP.{{cite web |last1=Wimsatt |first1=Jessica |title=Murray State's Ja Morant rising to stardom |url=https://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/murray-state-s-ja-morant-rising-to-stardom/1838185894 |publisher=WEHT |access-date=March 10, 2019 |date=March 9, 2019 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On March 21, in an 83–64 win over fifth-seeded Marquette in the first round of the 2019 NCAA tournament, Morant posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists. He became the eighth player to officially record a triple-double in the history of the tournament, and the first player since Draymond Green in 2012.{{cite web |title=Morant Thrives, Racers Advance With NCAA Win Over Marquette |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/3/21/mens-basketball-morant-thrives-racers-advance-with-ncaa-win-over-marquette.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 21, 2019}}{{efn|The NCAA's official Division I record book only recognizes triple-doubles that took place in seasons in which the NCAA kept track of the relevant statistical categories throughout Division I. Assists were recorded in the 1950–51 and 1951–52 seasons, but were not recorded again until 1983–84. Blocked shots and steals were first officially kept in 1985–86. Some listings of tournament triple-doubles include games that took place in tournaments in which the official scorers kept count of all relevant statistics, but the NCAA did not.{{cite web|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2019/D1.pdf |title=Individual Records |work=2018–19 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Records |page=2 |access-date=March 23, 2019}}}} In the second round, he chipped in 28 points in a season-ending 90–62 loss to fourth-seeded Florida State. During the game, Morant set school records for career assists and single-season points.{{cite web |title=Racers' NCAA Run Ends With Loss To Florida State |url=https://goracers.com/news/2019/3/23/mens-basketball-racers-ncaa-run-ends-with-loss-to-florida-state.aspx |publisher=Murray State University Athletics |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 23, 2019}}

He closed his sophomore campaign averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4279888|title=Ja Morant Stats|publisher=ESPN|access-date=April 19, 2020}} Morant became the first NCAA player to ever average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season.{{cite magazine |last1=West |first1=Jenna |title=Ja Morant Ends Season as First Player in NCAA History to Average 20 Points, 10 Assists |url=https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2019/03/23/ja-morant-points-assists-game-record-ncaa-history-murray-state |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=March 24, 2019 |date=March 23, 2019}}

Following Murray State's loss in the 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Morant announced his intention to forgo his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2019 NBA draft.

File:Ja Morant (cropped).jpg

Morant was drafted second overall during the 2019 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Grizzlies select Ja Morant with second overall pick in 2019 NBA Draft |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-select-ja-morant-with-second-overall-pick-in-2019-nba-draft-190621 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=NBA.com}} On July 2, 2019, he signed a four-year contract worth $39.6 million with the Grizzlies.{{cite web |date=July 2, 2019 |title=Grizzlies sign Ja Morant to multi-year contract |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlies-sign-ja-morant-to-multi-year-contract-190702 |access-date=July 2, 2019 |website=NBA.com}} On October 23, 2019, Morant made his NBA debut, starting in a 101–120 loss to the Miami Heat with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block. On November 13, he recorded his first career double-double with 23 points and 11 assists, and hit a game winning layup in a 117–115 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.{{Cite web |last=Cobb |first=David |date=November 13, 2019 |title=Ja Morant's game-winner the latest tantalizing sign of what's ahead for Memphis Grizzlies |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/2019/11/13/grizzlies-vs-hornets-ja-morant-highlights-keep-coming-vs-charlotte/4180351002/ |website=commercialappeal.com}} On February 9, 2020, he recorded his first career triple-double in a 106–99 win over the Washington Wizards.{{cite web |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Ja Morant fuels Grizzlies' rally past Wizards with first triple-double |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28668382 |website=ESPN.com}} Morant was selected to the Rising Stars Game for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Cody |date=January 31, 2020 |title=2020 NBA Rising Stars: Williamson, Morant among rookies selected |url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2020/01/31/2020-nba-rising-stars-official-rosters-chicago-zion-williamson/ |access-date=October 24, 2021 |website=USA Today}} In the 2019–20 season, Morant led all rookies in assists with an average of 7.1 assists per game, as well as total points scored, with 1,138 (17.8 points per game).{{Cite web|title=Ja Morant Stats|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moranja01.html|access-date=2021-04-03|website=Basketball-Reference.com}} At the end of the season, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2020 |title=Ja Morant wins 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award |url=https://www.nba.com/news/2020-kia-rookie-year-ja-morant-grizzlies |access-date=2021-04-03 |website=nba.com}} and earned the NBA All-Rookie First Team honor.{{Cite web|title=Ja Morant, Zion Williamsom headline 2019-20 Kia All-Rookie First Team|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-2019-20-all-rookie-first-team-official-release|access-date=2021-04-03|website=nba.com}}

On December 23, 2020, Morant recorded a then career-high 44 points, alongside nine assists, two rebounds, and two steals in a 131–119 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-scores-career-high-44-points-in-opening-night-loss-to-the-spurs/|title=Ja Morant scores career-high 44 points in opening night loss to the Spurs|website=ClutchPoints|last=Villanueva|first=Virgil|access-date=December 23, 2020|date=December 23, 2020}}

On May 21, 2021, in the newly implemented play-in tournament, with the eighth and final playoff spot on the line, Morant recorded 35 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Memphis to a 117–112 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, securing the Grizzlies' first postseason berth in four seasons.{{cite web |last=MacMahon |first=Tim |date=May 21, 2021 |title=Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies into NBA playoffs after ousting Golden State Warriors in overtime |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31486823 |access-date=May 23, 2021 |publisher=ESPN}} Two days later, he made his NBA playoff debut, scoring 26 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists to help lead the Grizzlies to a 112–109 upset victory in Game 1 over the top-seeded Utah Jazz.{{cite web|url= https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10003550-ja-morant-dillon-brooks-lead-grizzlies-to-game-1-upset-of-mike-conley-jazz|title=Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks Lead Grizzlies to Game 1 Upset of Mike Conley, Jazz|website=bleacherreport.com|access-date=May 23, 2021|date=May 23, 2021}} Morant followed that up with 47 points and 7 assists in Game 2, but Memphis fell short, 141–129.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10003915-donovan-mitchell-jazz-beat-grizzlies-in-game-2-despite-ja-morants-47-points|title=Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Beat Grizzlies in Game 2 Despite Ja Morant's 47 Points|website=bleacherreport.com|access-date=May 26, 2021|date=May 26, 2021}} The Grizzlies were eliminated, losing the series in five games.{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31557773|title=Utah Jazz use lessons from last postseason's blown 3-1 lead to close out Memphis Grizzlies|website=ESPN.com|access-date=June 3, 2021|date=June 2, 2021}}

On October 20, 2021, in the Grizzlies' season opener, Morant recorded 37 points and six assists in a 132–121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Morant, Melton lead Grizzlies to opening win over Cavs |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401359836 |access-date=October 22, 2021 |website=ESPN}} On October 24, he scored 40 points while dishing out 10 assists in a 121–118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.{{Cite web|title= Grizzlies' Ja Morant on Missing Game-Tying FT vs. Lakers: 'Failure Builds Character'|url= https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10016056-grizzlies-ja-morant-on-missing-game-tying-ft-vs-lakers-failure-builds-character|date=October 25, 2021|access-date=November 4, 2021|website=Bleacher Report}} On December 29, Morant put up a season-high 41 points, behind a career-high six made three-pointers, to lead Memphis to a 104–99 victory over the Lakers.{{Cite web|title=Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant fuels second-half rally, scores 41 to bury Los Angeles Lakers|url= https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32961168|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=December 31, 2021|website=ESPN}}

File:Ja Morant (51812767732).jpg in 2022]]

On January 26, Morant tied his season-high 41 points, alongside 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in a 118–110 win against the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Damichael |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Ja Morant scores 41 points, Memphis Grizzlies close out San Antonio Spurs late on the road |url=https://news.yahoo.com/memphis-grizzlies-vs-san-antonio-003010350.html |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=news.yahoo.com}} On January 27, Morant was selected to his first All-Star Game as a West Starter.{{Cite web |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Ja Morant named starter for 2022 NBA All-Star Game |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/ja-morant-named-starter-for-2022-nba-all-star-game-220127 |access-date=2022-01-29 |website=Memphis Grizzlies |language=en}} The next day, Morant logged his fourth career triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 119–109 win over the Utah Jazz.{{cite web |title=Morant posts 30-point triple-double as Grizzlies stay red hot|url=https://www.nba.com/game/uta-vs-mem-0022100740|website=NBA.com |language=en |date=January 29, 2022}} On February 16, Morant tied his then-career high with 44 points, including a career-high 20 points in the first quarter, grabbed 5 rebounds and delivered 11 assists in a 123–119 loss against the Portland Trail Blazers.{{cite web |title=Blazers squander big lead, recover late to upset Grizzlies|url=https://www.nba.com/game/por-vs-mem-0022100879|website=NBA.com |language=en |date=February 17, 2022}} On February 26, Morant scored a then-career-high 46 points in a 116–110 win over the Chicago Bulls. The total was the record for most points in a game by a Grizzlies player, breaking Mike Miller's record set in February 2007.{{cite web |title=Morant's career night elevates Grizzlies beyond Bulls' grasp|url=https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-chi-0022100909|website=NBA.com |language=en |date=February 27, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Ja Morant sets Grizzlies franchise record with 46 points in big win over Bulls|url=https://www.nba.com/news/ja-morant-sets-grizzlies-franchise-record-with-46-points-in-big-win-over-bulls|website=NBA.com |language=en |date=February 27, 2022}} On February 28, Morant bested this total, scoring a career-high 52 points, on an efficient 22-of-30 shooting, including 4-4 from beyond the arc, in a 118–105 win over the San Antonio Spurs.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-hawks-star-trae-young-reacts-to-ja-morant-going-stupid-vs-spurs/|title=Hawks star Trae Young reacts to Ja Morant 'going stupid' for Grizzlies vs. Spurs|website=ClutchPoints|last=Guinhawa|first=Angelo|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2022}} On March 18, he tweaked his right knee against the Atlanta Hawks and missed nine games.{{Cite web |title=Ja Morant injury update: Grizzlies star to be reevaluated in two weeks due to tweaked knee |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-morant-injury-update-grizzlies-star-to-be-reevaluated-in-two-weeks-due-to-tweaked-knee/ |access-date=March 30, 2022 |website=CBS Sports|date=March 27, 2022 }} Morant led the Grizzlies to their first Southwest Division title in franchise history. Memphis also tied their franchise record with 56 wins.{{cite web |first=Clay|last=Bailey|title=Morant returns, Grizzlies roll behind 55-point 3rd quarter|url=https://www.nba.com/game/nop-vs-mem-0022101213|website=NBA.com |agency=Associated Press|language=en |date=April 10, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2022 |title=NBA 2021-22 Regular Season Standings |url=https://www.nba.com/standings?GroupBy=div&Season=2021-22&Section=overall |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=NBA.com}} Despite missing 25 games during the regular season, he was named the winner of the NBA Most Improved Player Award.{{Cite web |title=Ja Morant Topped Darius Garland And Dejounte Murray To Win The NBA's Most Improved Player Award |url=https://uproxx.com/dimemag/ja-morant-nba-most-improved-player-2021-22-award-memphis-grizzlies-voting/ |access-date=April 25, 2022 |website=Uproxx|date=April 25, 2022 }}

On April 21, 2022, during Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, Morant posted 16 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 104–95 Game 3 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the first postseason triple-double in Grizzlies franchise history.{{Cite web |title=Grizzlies claw back from 26 down, beat Wolves in Game 3 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401430227 |access-date=April 22, 2022 |website=ESPN}} In Game 5, Morant scored the game-winning layup with one second left, finishing with 30 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists in a 111–109 win. He scored 18 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |title=Ja Morant's highlight dunk, late heroics ignite Memphis Grizzlies' rally for Game 5 win over Minnesota Timberwolves |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/33813767 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |website=ESPN|date=April 27, 2022 }} On May 3, during Game 2 of the second round of the playoffs Morant put up a playoff career-high 47 points along with 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals in a 106–101 win over the Golden State Warriors. He scored the last 15 points for Memphis and also became just the third player in NBA playoffs history to have multiple 45-point games before turning 23 years old, joining Kobe Bryant and LeBron James.{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Teresa M. |date=May 4, 2022 |title=Morant scores playoff career-high 47 to spark Grizzlies |url=https://www.nba.com/game/gsw-vs-mem-0042100232 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-reaches-lebron-james-kobe-bryant-territory-after-insane-47-point-game/|title=Ja Morant reaches LeBron James, Kobe Bryant territory after insane 47-point game for Grizzlies vs. Warriors|last=Guinhawa|first=Angelo|website=ClutchPoints|date=May 3, 2022|access-date=May 3, 2022}} On May 7, Morant injured his right knee in game 3 of the series and Memphis would go on to lose in 6 games. In the three games he played, he averaged 38.3 points per game on 50.6%/43.3%/85.7% shooting splits.{{cite web |title=Thompson scores 30; Warriors stop Grizzlies to reach West finals|url=https://www.nba.com/game/mem-vs-gsw-0042100236|website=NBA.com |language=en |date=May 14, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/2022-nba-western-conference-semifinals-warriors-vs-grizzlies.html |title=2022 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Warriors vs. Grizzlies |work=Basketball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=14 May 2022}}

On July 6, 2022, Morant signed a five-year extension with the Grizzlies.{{cite news|title=Grizzlies' Ja Morant agrees to 5-year rookie maximum extension|date=July 7, 2022|website=NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/news/ja-morant-signs-extension-with-grizzlies|access-date=July 26, 2022}} The deal includes $193 million of guaranteed money, increasing to $231 million contingent upon his selection to an All-NBA team.{{Cite web |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski |date=2022-07-01 |others=Contributed by Tim Bontemps |title=Ja Morant agrees to 5-year extension worth up to $231 million with Memphis Grizzlies, agent says |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34174548 |access-date=2022-07-02 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} On October 21, in the second game of the season, Morant recorded 49 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks on 17-of-26 shooting from the field in a 129–122 win over the Houston Rockets. He set the Grizzlies franchise mark for most points scored through the first two games of a season (83).{{cite web |title=Ja Morant scores 49 points, Grizzlies beat Rockets 129–122|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401468179|website=ESPN.com |language=en |date=October 21, 2022}}{{cite news|title=Kia MVP Ladder: Top 5 performances to open 2022-23|date=October 28, 2022|website=NBA.com|url=https://www.nba.com/news/kia-mvp-ladder-oct-28-2022-edition|access-date=October 29, 2022}} On November 27, Morant put up his fifth career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists in a 127–123 win over the New York Knicks. He also tied Marc Gasol for the most triple-doubles in Grizzlies history.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-matches-marc-gasol-for-memphis-history-in-just-four-seasons|title=Ja Morant matches Marc Gasol for Grizzlies history in just four seasons|website=ClutchPoints|last=Villas|first=Rexwell|date=November 27, 2022|access-date=November 27, 2022}} On December 7, Morant put up his sixth career triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists In a 123–102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also surpassed Marc Gasol for the most triple-doubles in Grizzlies history.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-climbs-to-top-of-memphis-record-book-with-insane-triple-double|title=Ja Morant climbs to top of Grizzlies record book with insane triple-double|website=ClutchPoints|last=Guinhawa|first=Angelo|date=December 7, 2022|access-date=December 7, 2022}}

On January 29, 2023, Morant put up his seventh career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in a 112–100 win over the Indiana Pacers. He also became the first player in Grizzlies history to put up at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-makes-memphis-history-with-unbelievable-performance-vs-pacers|title=Ja Morant makes Grizzlies history with unbelievable performance vs. Pacers|website=ClutchPoints|last=Samillano|first=Gerard Angelo|date=January 29, 2023|access-date=January 29, 2023}} On February 2, Morant was named to his second NBA All-Star Game as a reserve guard for the Western Conference.{{Cite web |title=2023 NBA All-Star reserves revealed |url=https://www.nba.com/news/2023-all-star-reserves-announced |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=NBA.com |language=en}} On February 28, Morant scored 28 of his 39 points in the third quarter and added 10 assists and 10 rebounds to achieve his 10th career triple-double in a 121–109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He made 10 of 12 shots in the highest-scoring quarter ever by a Grizzlies player.{{cite web |title=Morant's third-quarter burst leads Grizzlies past Lakers|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401469082|website=ESPN.com |language=en |date=February 28, 2023}}

In Game 3 of the Grizzlies' first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Morant put up 45 points, with 22 of those coming from the fourth quarter, alongside 13 assists and nine rebounds in a 111–101 loss. His 22 points scored in the fourth quarter are the most points scored in a quarter in a playoff game in Grizzlies history.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-ja-morant-memphis-record-scoring-outburst-lakers|title=Ja Morant's outburst vs. Lakers puts him in territory no Grizzlies player reached before|website=ClutchPoints|last=Mistretta|first=Joey|date=April 22, 2023|access-date=April 23, 2023}} Memphis would go on to lose the series in 6 games.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-28 |title=Lakers obliterate Grizzlies 125-85, advance to 2nd round |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401541232 |access-date=2023-04-30 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

On February 5, 2023, The Athletic released a report describing an altercation between associates of Morant and members of the Indiana Pacers, whom the team played on January 29.{{Cite web |last=McGregor |first=Gilbert |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Ja Morant incident, explained: NBA investigates red laser, alleged gun threat towards Pacers by friends of Grizzlies star |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/ja-morant-grizzlies-pacers-gun-investigation-laser/z4dw4cxsmyuyltjvj1qfo4vi |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Sporting News}} During the game, Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard got into a verbal altercation with Morant's father. Morant then came over and exchanged words with Nembhard, and Pacers guard Chris Duarte also tried to engage in a physical altercation with Morant. Pacers forward James Johnson exchanged words with Davonte Pack, an associate of Morant, and Pack was subsequently removed from the game.{{Cite news |title=NBA probed incident involving associates of Grizzlies' Ja Morant; red laser trained on Pacers team members | work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/4157284/2023/02/05/pacers-grizzlies-laser-ja-morant-investigation/?source=twitterhq |access-date=March 4, 2023 | last1=Kravitz | first1=Bob | last2=Amick | first2=Sam }}{{Cite web |title=Grizzlies: Ja Morant incident with SUV, red laser, potential gun |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/grizzlies-ja-morant-davonte-pack-dtap-pacers-red-laser |access-date=March 4, 2023 |website=USA Today|date=February 6, 2023 }}

According to the website, acquaintances of Morant "aggressively confronted" members of the Pacers' party near their team bus. Later on, a person in a SUV, which Morant was riding in, supposedly pointed a red laser at the bus. Two members of the Pacers' party that spoke to The Athletic believed that the laser was attached to a gun. A Pacers security guard near the bus loading area remarked, "That's one hundred percent a gun" and another person present stated that they "felt we were in grave danger." The NBA later investigated the incident, where they interviewed multiple people and reviewed surveillance footage. Spokesman Mike Bass stated to The Athletic that while the league "substantiated that a postgame situation arose that was confrontational", they could not "corroborate that any individual threatened others with a weapon." Bass also said that "certain individuals involved" in the incidents were banned from attending games at FedEx Forum, the Grizzlies' arena. Morant later posted a tweet on Twitter, where he denied all allegations and clarified that Pack was banned from the Forum for a year.

On March 4, 2023, it was revealed that the NBA had launched an investigation into an Instagram Live video of Morant displaying a gun at a Colorado nightclub earlier that morning, just hours after a loss to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets.{{Cite web |last=MacMahon |first=Tim |date=2023-03-04 |title=NBA investigating after Morant shows gun in video |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35782987 |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2023-03-04|title=Ja Morant issues statement as NBA investigates him for handling firearm inside Colorado strip club|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/ja-morant-issues-statement-nba-investigates-him-brandishing-firearm-colorado-strip-club/|access-date=2023-03-05|publisher=CBS News |language=en}} Later that day, the Grizzlies announced that Morant would be away from the team for at least two games.{{Cite web |title=Statement from the Memphis Grizzlies |url=https://twitter.com/GrizzliesPR/status/1632093630792966148 |access-date=2023-03-04 |publisher=Twitter |language=en}} Morant also released an official statement on that day, stating that he would be leaving the team for an "indefinite amount of time" to find better resources to handle his stress, anxiety, and overall well-being.{{Cite web |title=As Ja Morant steps away, a moment of truth in Memphis and the development of the Grizzlies' franchise |date=March 7, 2023 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/as-ja-morant-steps-away-a-moment-of-truth-in-memphis-and-the-development-of-the-grizzlies-franchise-171148495.html |access-date=2023-03-08 |publisher=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Jackson |first=Wilton |date=March 4, 2023 |title=Ja Morant Releases Statement After Disturbing Instagram Live |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2023/03/04/ja-morant-releases-statement-after-disturbing-gun-instagram-live |access-date=March 8, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} He also deactivated his Instagram and Twitter accounts. Shoe company Nike, which Morant has a partnership with, released a statement on the incident. In their statement, they said, "We appreciate Ja's accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support his prioritization of his well-being."{{Cite web |title=Latest On Ja Morant |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/03/latest-on-ja-morant.html |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Hoops Rumors|date=March 4, 2023 }} Morant also reportedly entered a counseling program in Florida.{{Cite web |title=Ja Morant Meets With Adam Silver, Receives Suspension |url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/03/ja-morant-meets-with-adam-silver-moves-closer-to-possible-return.html |access-date=March 15, 2023 |website=Hoops Rumors|date=March 15, 2023 }} On March 5, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins stated that there was no timetable for Morant's return to the team.{{Cite web |title=Taylor Jenkins: No timetable for Ja Morant's return to Grizzlies |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35795099/no-table-ja-morant-return-grizzlies |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=ESPN|date=March 6, 2023 }} On March 8, the Grizzlies announced that Morant would be away from the team for at least the next four games.{{Cite web |title=Grizzlies PR on Twitter: "Statement from the Memphis Grizzlies" |url=https://twitter.com/GrizzliesPR/status/1633596063805317121 |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=Twitter}}

On March 15, Morant met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver in New York after exiting from his counseling program. Multiple other top NBA executives also attended the meeting. The same day, the NBA announced that they had suspended Morant for eight games without pay for the nightclub incident. The suspension covered the six games that Morant had already missed as a result of his leave of absence from the Grizzlies, meaning he would be eligible to return to playing as soon as March 20.{{Cite web |title=NBA statement regarding Grizzlies' Ja Morant |url=https://pr.nba.com/nba-statement-ja-morant-grizzlies/ |access-date=March 15, 2023 |publisher=NBA Communications |date=March 15, 2023}}

On May 14, two months after the first suspension, he was suspended from all team activities by the Grizzlies for flashing a gun during another Instagram Live session, in this instance on his friend Davonte Pack's account.{{cite news |last1=Deb |first1=Sopan |title=N.B.A. Commissioner 'Shocked' by New Morant Video With Apparent Gun |work=The New York Times |date=May 17, 2023 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/17/sports/basketball/ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-gun-video.html |access-date=21 May 2023}}{{Cite web |last=MacMahon|first=Tim|date=May 14, 2023|title=Grizzlies suspend Morant over latest gun video |url=https://www.espn.in/nba/story/_/id/37648020 |access-date=May 14, 2023|publisher=ESPN |language=en}} Following the incident, Silver said he was "shocked" and that the league and the team would assess the extent of further disciplinary actions. On June 16, he was suspended for 25 games provided that he fulfilled a league-sponsored program that addressed his wrongdoings.{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Ja Morant suspended 25 games by NBA |url=https://www.nba.com/news/ja-morant-suspended-25-games |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}

On December 19, 2023, Morant returned from suspension, he scored 27 of his 34 points in the second half along with a game-winning shot in a 115–113 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-20 |title=Morant puts up 34 pts., buzzer-beater in return |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39151955 |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} On January 8, 2024, it was reported that Morant would undergo a season-ending right shoulder surgery after sustaining a subluxation during team practice, ending his season with only nine games played.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Ryan |date=2024-01-09 |title=Grizzlies star Ja Morant to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/grizzlies-star-ja-morant-to-undergo-season-ending-shoulder-surgery-025851930.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}

Morant played in the Grizzlies' opening game, scoring 22 points and earning 10 assists. On November 6, he got injured attempting a dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers and missed 10 games. He said in early December that he would not attempt dunks anymore because of the risk of injury.{{Cite news |last=Iko |first=Kelly |title=Ja Morant ‘not trying to dunk’ as Grizzlies star prioritizes health |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5969594/2024/12/04/ja-morant-dunk-grizzlies/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Up to that point of the season, he had dunked only 4 times in 12 appearances.

On March 28, 2025, the Grizzlies fired coach Taylor Jenkins, who had been Morant's only head coach during his tenure with the team, with only nine games remaining in the 2024–25 regular season and the team nearly having secured entry into the 2025 NBA playoffs with a 44–29 record at the time.{{cite web |date=March 28, 2025 |title=Memphis Grizzlies part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-part-ways-with-head-coach-taylor-jenkins |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=NBA.com}} Frustrations among the team members from throughout the season began coming out following the shocking dismissal, notably with Morant having expressed frustration with his considerable decrease in touches, points, and efficiency.{{Cite web|title=Details of Ja Morant's Frustrations With Taylor Jenkins Emerge|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/details-of-ja-morants-frustrations-with-taylor-jenkins-emerge/ar-AA1C5thy?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1|date=April 1, 2025|website=msn.com}}

On April 1, 2025, Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield made gun-aiming gestures at one another. The league briefly investigated the circumstance in light of Morant's history of firearms controversies and concluded that "the celebrations were not intended to be violent in nature, but inappropriate."{{Cite web|title=Ja Morant gets warning from NBA for finger gun gesture toward Warriors, but no suspension or fine, per report|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-morant-gets-warning-from-nba-for-finger-gun-gesture-toward-warriors-but-no-suspension-or-fine-per-report/|date=April 3, 2025|website=cbssports.com}} Warnings were issued by the league to him and Hield about their conduct.{{Cite web|title=NBA reportedly issues warnings to Grizzlies star Ja Morant, Warriors' Buddy Hield after finger-gun taunt|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-reportedly-issues-warnings-to-grizzlies-star-ja-morant-warriors-buddy-hield-after-finger-gun-taunt-180454381.html|date=April 3, 2025|website=sports.yahoo.com}} In Morant's next game on April 3, he again made multiple gun-aiming gestures. He finished the game with his second career game-winning buzzer beater to beat the Miami Heat 110–108.{{Cite web|title=Ja Morant game winner: Buzzer-beater gives Grizzlies win over Heat|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2025/04/03/ja-morant-buzzer-beater-grizzlies-heat/82811379007/|date=April 3, 2025|website=usatoday.com}} When asked post-game about the criticism he has faced for his in-game gestures, he said that he was "well aware" and "kind of used to" what is said about him. Reflecting on the narrative around him, he said, "I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it's going to be out there. So, yeah. I don't care no more."{{Cite web|title=Ja Morant uses finger-gun gesture despite earlier warning|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44525515/ja-morant-uses-finger-gun-gesture-earlier-warning|date=April 3, 2025|website=espn.com}} The following day, Morant was fined $75,000 for his direct disregard of the warning he had received hours before the incident.{{Cite web|title=Grizzlies' Ja Morant fined $75K for finger-gun gestures|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44532896/grizzlies-ja-morant-fined-75k-finger-gun-gestures|date=April 4, 2025|website=espn.com}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2019}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 67 || 67 || 31.0 || .477 || .335 || .776 || 3.9 || 7.3 || .9 || .3 || 17.8

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2020}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 63 || 63 || 32.6 || .449 || .303 || .728 || 4.0 || 7.4 || .9 || .2 || 19.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 57 || 57 || 33.1 || .493 || .344 || .761 || 5.7 || 6.7 || 1.2 || .4 || 27.4

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2022}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 61 || 59 || 31.9 || .466 || .307 || .748 || 5.9 || 8.1 || 1.1 || .3 || 26.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 9 || 9 || 35.3 || .471 || .275 || .813 || 5.6 || 8.1 || .8 || .6 || 25.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 50 || 50 || 30.4 || .454 || .309 || .824 || 4.1 || 7.3 || 1.2 || .2 || 23.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 307 || 305 || 31.9 || .469 || .316 || .766 || 4.7 || 7.4 || 1.0 || .3 || 22.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star

| 2 || 2 || 18.8 || .600 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || 2.0 || 3.0 || .5 || .0 || 6.0

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2021

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 5 || 5 || 40.6 || .487 || .323 || .775 || 4.8 || 8.2 || .4 || .0 || 30.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2022

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 9 || 9 || 37.6 || .440 || .340 || .747 || 8.0 || 9.8 || 2.0 || .4 || 27.1

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2023

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 5 || 5 || 37.4 || .425 || .419 || .769 || 6.8 || 7.0 || 1.8 || .2 || 24.6

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|2025

| style="text-align:left;"|Memphis

| 3 || 3 || 27.3 || .415 || .250 || .636 || 2.0 || 5.0 || .7 || .7 || 18.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 22 || 22 || 36.8 || .445 || .344 || .750 || 6.2 || 8.1 || 1.4 || .3 || 26.0

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;"| Murray State

| 32 || 32 || 34.0 || .459 || .307 || .806 || 6.5 || 6.3 || .9 || .4 || 12.7

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| Murray State

| 33 || 33 || 36.6 || .499 || .363 || .813 || 5.7 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 10.0* || 1.8 || .8 || 24.5

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 65 || 65 || 35.3 || .485 || .343 || .810 || 6.1 || 8.2 || 1.4 || .6 || 18.7

{{S-end}}

Morant has a younger sister, Teniya, who grew up playing basketball with him in their backyard and now competes for Mississippi Valley State.{{cite web |title=Lady Barons first in shooting qualifier |url=https://www.theitem.com/stories/lady-barons-first-in-shooting-qualifier,319566 |website=The Item |access-date=January 30, 2019 |date=December 12, 2018}} He has the words "beneath no one", advice his mother gave him, tattooed on his left arm. His athleticism often draws comparisons to Russell Westbrook, who Morant said is his favorite player because Westbrook is often overlooked, just like he was by college recruiters in high school.{{Cite web|url=https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2019/04/11/murray-state-ja-morant-russell-westbrook-favorite-player-nba-draft-lottery/|title=Ja Morant modeled his game after Westbrook: 'He's my favorite player'|date=April 11, 2019|website=OKC Thunder Wire|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}

Morant has a daughter who was born on August 7, 2019.{{cite web |last=Daniels|first=Tim|title=Ja Morant Dedicates Grizzlies' Win over Thunder to Daughter on Her 1st Birthday|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2903665-ja-morant-dedicates-grizzlies-win-over-thunder-to-daughter-on-her-1st-birthday|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=October 24, 2021|date=August 8, 2020}}

In September 2022, Morant was named a defendant in a lawsuit filed in Shelby County, Tennessee. In the suit, the plaintiff accused him of punching a 17-year-old male during a pickup basketball game at Morant's home in July of that year. Morant and the 17-year-old had reportedly engaged in a verbal altercation during the game, and the 17-year-old "accidentally" hit Morant. Morant then punched the 17-year-old and knocked him to the ground, after which he struck him an additional number of times. When responding officials questioned him, Morant claimed that he acted in self-defense and stated that the 17-year-old had threatened him immediately following the incident. A representative for the Shelby County district attorney's office stated there "was not enough evidence to proceed with a case."{{Cite web |title=Report: Ja Morant Sued for Allegedly Punching 17-Year-Old During Pick-Up Game |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/ja-morant-sued-punching-17-year-old-pick-up-game |access-date=March 4, 2023 |website=Complex}}

On March 1, 2023, The Washington Post released a report that further detailed the incident. After the altercation, Morant allegedly went inside his house and came out with a gun tucked in his waistband. The 17-year-old's mother later took the boy to the hospital and filed a police report.{{Cite news |title=NBA star Ja Morant accused of punching teen, flashing gun |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/03/01/ja-morant-punch-teen-laser/ |access-date=March 4, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} The police report also alleged that Morant had threatened a head of security at a mall located in Memphis four days before the altercation with the 17-year-old male. In the report, it claimed that Morant's mother got into a verbal altercation with an employee at a Finish Line store inside the mall, and she subsequently called Morant for help. Morant then entered the mall with an entourage of at least nine people and was confronted by the head of security. Morant refused to leave the mall's parking lot, and authorities later arrived at the mall. As the group was leaving the premises, Morant allegedly stated, "Let me find out what time he gets off." A member of Morant's entourage allegedly pushed the head of security, who intended to file a report on the incident because he "felt threatened" by Morant's words.{{Cite news |last=Hensley-Clancy |first=Molly |date=March 1, 2023 |title=NBA star Ja Morant accused in police reports of punching teen, making threats |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/03/01/ja-morant-punch-teen-laser |access-date=2023-03-09 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Ja Morant Allegedly Punched Teen a Dozen Times, Flashed Gun |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/ja-morant-accused-of-punching-teen-flashing-gun |access-date=March 4, 2023 |website=Complex}}

On March 6, 2023, the police department of Glendale, Colorado, started investigating Morant after he allegedly flashed a gun in a strip club on an Instagram live stream.{{cite web |last=Shelburne |first=Ramona |author-link=Ramona Shelburne |last2=Merrill |first2=Liz |name-list-style=and |date=March 6, 2023 |title=Colorado police investigating Ja Morant after IG Live video |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35799370 |access-date=July 20, 2024 |work=ESPN}} Two days later, the department announced that Morant would not face criminal charges for the incident, stating they were "not able to determine that probable cause existed for the filing of any charges."{{Cite web |last=Morse |first=Ben |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Ja Morant won't face criminal charges after gun video as Memphis Grizzlies deal with losing streak in his continuing absence |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/08/sport/ja-morant-memphis-grizzzlies-gun-lakers-loss-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=March 8, 2023 |website=CNN}}

On June 3, 2021, Morant released a six-episode documentary, Promiseland, focusing on his first NBA season.

Morant received a shout-out from rapper J. Cole on the song "My Life" from Cole's 2021 album The Off-Season.{{cite web|url=https://commercialappeal.com/amp/7502529002|title=Moneybagg Yo celebrates Grizzlies star Ja Morant on new hip-hop song 'Rookie of the Year'|work=The Commercial Appeal|last=Barnes|first=Evan|date=June 2, 2021|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502165709/https://www.commercialappeal.com/errors/404/|url-status=dead}} On June 1, 2021, rapper Moneybagg Yo released the song "Rookie of the Year" in celebration of Morant being named NBA Rookie of the Year. The song reflects on Morant's "underdog mentality and praises his rise from a little known college freshman to being named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2019–20".

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Category:1999 births

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