Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, he gained prominence during his time at Murray State University, where he was named a consensus first-team All-American in 2019. Morant was selected by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2020.
In the 2022–2023 season, Morant signed a five-year contract extension with the Grizzlies. He achieved multiple triple-doubles, including a standout performance on February 28, 2023, when he scored 39 points, with 28 in the third quarter, and added 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, the 2024–2025 season has been marked by challenges for Morant and the Grizzlies. In January 2024, he underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery after sustaining a subluxation during practice. Upon his return in December 2024, Morant faced further difficulties, including injuries and team dynamics. Recent reports indicate that he expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s offensive system under former head coach Taylor Jenkins, leading to Jenkins’ unexpected firing on March 29, 2025. The Grizzlies’ first game under interim coach Tuomas Iisalo resulted in a 134-127 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, with Morant contributing 22 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
Off the court, Morant has ventured into media, releasing a six-episode documentary titled “Promiseland” in June 2021, which focuses on his first NBA season. He has also been acknowledged in popular culture, with rapper Moneybagg Yo releasing the song “Rookie of the Year” in his honor, celebrating Morant’s rise from a little-known college freshman to NBA Rookie of the Year.