Ja Morant, born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, is an American professional basketball player who plays as a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He began his college career at Murray State University, where he earned first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors as a freshman and led the nation in assists as a sophomore. Morant’s impressive college performance led to him being selected by the Grizzlies as the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and has since been recognized as an NBA All-Star twice.
In the 2022–2023 season, Morant signed a five-year contract extension with the Grizzlies. However, his season was marred by off-court incidents, including two suspensions related to incidents involving firearms. These events led to a loss of playing time and raised concerns about his future with the team.
As of March 2025, the Grizzlies have dismissed head coach Taylor Jenkins, a move that has left the team’s direction uncertain. Morant has expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s offensive system under Jenkins, suggesting that his role was not optimized for his skills. Following Jenkins’s departure, Tuomas Iisalo has been appointed as the interim head coach.
On March 31, 2025, the Grizzlies faced the Boston Celtics, with both teams dealing with injuries. The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown, while the Grizzlies missed Brandon Clarke. The game highlighted the challenges both teams face as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies’ performance in the upcoming games will be crucial in determining their playoff positioning and the team’s overall trajectory, especially amid coaching changes and roster adjustments.