The young teen is friendly and determined to make her own name as a professional basketball player. Thats the crazy thing, because I work at a barbershop and I tell a lot of people that there aint too many grandmas out there these days that are willing to drop everything for their grandchild Mama Lin was never pushing the envelope as far as him being an NBA player or Hall of Famer or anything; Mama Lin was pushing for him to follow Gods plan., Before the #OVC tourney tipped off, Ja Morant's father, Tee, told @Mike_Schmitz, "He's built for these moments." Nicknamed "G12", he played college basketball for the Murray State Racers, where he was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2019. [17], On November 10, 2017, Morant debuted for Murray State with 7 points and a team-high 11 assists in a 11861 victory over Brescia University of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Jamie Morant, Ja Morants mother, was born just before the yuletide on the 20th of December 1975. However, there are few details regarding his career earnings and net worth. Like his NBA All-Star son, Tee Morant played point guard. Memphis wasnt done there as it stole Game 1 against the No. His younger sister's name is Teniya Morant. Jump To Get To Know Tee Morant Bio, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Ja Morant Father, Instagram, Real Name, Ray Allen, Height, Birthday, Job! The two wore nearly identical outfits, too, and the good folks at FedEx Forum gave them a shoutout on the "Look Alike Cam" during a timeout. [57], 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 117112 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors, securing the Grizzlies first postseason berth in four seasons. Tee Morant is married to Jamie Morant, a high school point guard, and a college softball player. This might seem very harsh on Ja, but Morant opened up about how his dad keeps him humble and encourages him to be better. From what is obvious, Teniya appears interested in going professional as the youngster has already played for Hillcrest Middle School in Dalzell. Regardless of his stunning athleticism, his high-flying dunks and NBA All-Star game future, the Memphis Grizzlies point guard heard instead was "you're trash", "you're overrated", and "you suck." He then laced up for the Claflin University Panthers in Orangeburg (S.C.). Between his poster-worthy jump shots and his influential nature, Morant is lining himself up to be the next basketball legend. Tee smiled from ear to ear when Memphis closed out the series 4-2 in Minneapolis, and Towns Sr. had to make good on his bet. From Nicole Auerbach of The Athletic: When he gets back to the room, hell probably ask me what he did wrong, Tee says. Then theres people like IndyStars Gregg Doyel, who compared Morant to a hybrid superhero combination of Russell Westbrook and Allen Iverson. Both children are avid video game lovers also. Although fans might acknowledge Memphis Grizzlies winning the 2nd game of the 2022 playoff series against Golden State Warriors and leveling the series 1-1, as simple as that. His father was also a basketball player and taught his son to play basketball. October 29, 2022 by Jess. [78][79] On May 7, Morant injured his right knee in game 3 of the series and Memphis would go on to lose in 6 games. The Untold Truth of Destin Christopher Tucker Chris Tuckers Son, Meet Mariann Barrena McClay Carlo Ancelottis Wife, Meet Dashiell Connery Sean Connerys Grandson. Currently, he has a deal of $39,619,840 with the Memphis Grizzlies. He closed his sophomore campaign averaging 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. Theres one person who would disagree with that assessment. I still hate on him. Before the start of the second half, it was revealed on the ESPN broadcast that Tee Morant was all good. During his formative years, he also played basketball but couldn't make it to the big leagues, which he has achieved through his . Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant (born August 10, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a highly regarded recruit, but was not highly recruited by colleges. Ja Morant last night: 17 PTS. 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. It was the first postseason triple-double in Grizzlies franchise history. Tee and Jamies marriage is reported to have endured for many years. Ja said Tee ran from the smoke as he would never be able to play him 1-on-1 again. Tee Morant, Jas father, was a high school teammate of Ray Allen at Hillcrest High and later played for Div. He attended Hillcrest High School in Dalzell, South Carolina, where he was teammates with Hall of Famer Ray Allen, and went on to play college basketball at Claflin University -- a HBCU located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. He was named to his first NBA All Star Game in 2022 as a starter, and won the NBA Most Improved Player Award at the conclusion of the season, Morant was also selected to his first All-NBA Team in 2022. Ja on (left) with his father Jamie Morant was a high school point guard and a college softball player. Morant became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history to lead a playoff team in both points and assists in a game. Memphis also tied their franchise record with 56 wins. Figuring out how to defend future NBA lottery pick Ja Morant of Murray State", "Morant leads Murray State past Missouri State 77-66", "Showman Morant Dazzles But Racers Fall At Alabama", "How a hungry coach led to the discovery of viral college sensation Ja Morant", "College basketball: 2019 John Wooden Award midseason top 25 announced", "Morant & Brown Lead Racers' Blitz At UTM", "Ja Morant Scores 40, Murray State Rolls Past SIU-Edwardsville", "Morant Sets OVC Free Throw Record - Racers Win At SIUE", "Racers Rally For Win At Tech - Morant Sets Assist Record", "Racers Hit Century Mark - Morant Sets OVC Assist Record & Reaches 1,000 Points", "Racer Trio Named All-OVC - Morant MVP & Buchanan Defensive POY", "3 one-on-one matchups we can't wait to see in the NCAA tournament", "Morant Named Second-Team All-American by Sporting News", "Morant hits winner, sends Murray St. to OVC final", "Ja Morant drops 36 points against Belmont as Murray State punches ticket to March Madness", "Murray State's Ja Morant rising to stardom", "Morant Thrives, Racers Advance With NCAA Win Over Marquette", "Racers' NCAA Run Ends With Loss To Florida State", "Ja Morant Ends Season as First Player in NCAA History to Average 20 Points, 10 Assists", "Grizzlies select Ja Morant with second overall pick in 2019 NBA Draft", "Grizzlies sign Ja Morant to multi-year contract", "Ja Morant's game-winner the latest tantalizing sign of what's ahead for Memphis Grizzlies", "Ja Morant fuels Grizzlies' rally past Wizards with first triple-double", "2020 NBA Rising Stars: Williamson, Morant among rookies selected", "Ja Morant wins 2019-20 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year Award", "Ja Morant, Zion Williamsom headline 2019-20 Kia All-Rookie First Team", "Ja Morant scores career-high 44 points in opening night loss to the Spurs", "Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies into NBA playoffs after ousting Golden State Warriors in overtime", "Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks Lead Grizzlies to Game 1 Upset of Mike Conley, Jazz", "Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Beat Grizzlies in Game 2 Despite Ja Morant's 47 Points", "Utah Jazz use lessons from last postseason's blown 3-1 lead to close out Memphis Grizzlies", "Morant, Melton lead Grizzlies to opening win over Cavs", "Grizzlies' Ja Morant on Missing Game-Tying FT vs. Lakers: 'Failure Builds Character', "Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant fuels second-half rally, scores 41 to bury Los Angeles Lakers", "Ja Morant scores 41 points, Memphis Grizzlies close out San Antonio Spurs late on the road", "Ja Morant named starter for 2022 NBA All-Star Game", "Morant posts 30-point triple-double as Grizzlies stay red hot", "Blazers squander big lead, recover late to upset Grizzlies", "Morant's career night elevates Grizzlies beyond Bulls' grasp", "Ja Morant sets Grizzlies franchise record with 46 points in big win over Bulls", "Hawks star Trae Young reacts to Ja Morant 'going stupid' for Grizzlies vs. Spurs", "Ja Morant injury update: Grizzlies star to be reevaluated in two weeks due to tweaked knee", "Morant returns, Grizzlies roll behind 55-point 3rd quarter", "Ja Morant Topped Darius Garland And Dejounte Murray To Win The NBA's Most Improved Player Award", "Grizzlies claw back from 26 down, beat Wolves in Game 3", "Ja Morant's highlight dunk, late heroics ignite Memphis Grizzlies' rally for Game 5 win over Minnesota Timberwolves", "Morant scores playoff career-high 47 to spark Grizzlies", "Ja Morant reaches LeBron James, Kobe Bryant territory after insane 47-point game for Grizzlies vs. Warriors", "Thompson scores 30; Warriors stop Grizzlies to reach West finals", "2022 NBA Western Conference Semifinals Warriors vs. Grizzlies", "Grizzlies' Ja Morant agrees to 5-year rookie maximum extension", "Morant agrees to massive extension with Grizz", "Ja Morant scores 49 points, Grizzlies beat Rockets 129122", "Kia MVP Ladder: Top 5 performances to open 2022-23", "Ja Morant matches Marc Gasol for Grizzlies history in just four seasons", "Ja Morant climbs to top of Grizzlies record book with insane triple-double", "Ja Morant makes Grizzlies history with unbelievable performance vs. Pacers", "Lady Barons first in shooting qualifier", "Ja Morant modeled his game after Westbrook: 'He's my favorite player', "Ja Morant Dedicates Grizzlies' Win over Thunder to Daughter on Her 1st Birthday", "Moneybagg Yo celebrates Grizzlies star Ja Morant on new hip-hop song 'Rookie of the Year', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ja_Morant&oldid=1142100149, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 14:09. Tee Morant became a figure in his own right during the 2022 NBA postseason. "[30][a], On January 10, 2019, Morant was named to the midseason top 25 watch list for the John R. Wooden Award. He attended Murray State University where he was playing college basketball for the Murray State Racers, Where he was also a sophomore unanimous first-team All-American in 2019. While the Timberwolves and Grizzlies battled it out in Game 1 on Saturday afternoon, the fathers of two of the series' brightest stars engaged in a friendly war of words in . He was not highly recruited out of high school but he caught the attention of Murray State head coach Matt McMahon while playing in a summer league game. 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. Morant was selected by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020. Ja Morant made $9,603,360 in 2022. While his team lost in the first round in 2018 to West Virginia, Morant led the Racers to the second round in 2019 after posting the ninth triple-double in tourney history. At this point, you may be asking, "Is Ja Morant's dad actually Usher?" Teniya Morant, Ja's younger sister, is about to start her senior season at Houston High School outside of Memphis. Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images. Before then, Id probably get one dunk out of 25 tries, recalled Morant. Ja Morant never heard "I'm proud of you, son" growing up. 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. Tee Morant helped Ja learn hops by jumping daily on 20-inch-thick tractor tires. Despite Ja turning professional, he still can't escape his father's criticism. He mentions this when talking about the tight-knit Morant family, and how Jas grandmother, Linda Mama Lin Smalley, particularly supports him. 8 seed and snap a four-year playoff drought. Tee Morant Skills & Agility Training Camp, in the same AAU league as Zion Williamson. Teniya Morant is a basketball player. He was one of 20 players invited to Chris Paul's Elite Guard Camp, which Morant called, "an honor. An enthusiastic Jamie was proud to hear her son say, Im not worried about the big kids.. [82] The deal includes $193 million of guaranteed money, increasing to $231 million contingent upon his selection to an All-NBA team. Tee went to high school in Dalzell; he joined Hillcrest High and spent some memorable days playing basketball. Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 14:09, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, United States Basketball Writers Association, "Ja Morant, Murray State's High-Flying Star, Is No Longer College Hoops's Best Kept Secret", "MikeCheck: Morant makes dominant first impression at Chicago's NBA Lottery, Combine", "Ja Morant: Point God from the back road", "Who's Ja Morant? [1], 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. Ja's father, Tee Morant, has shown his support courtside for the entire season and will continue to do so for as long as Ja plays. Dropped 37 and 6 assists. Daughter Dance Like Father Basketball !! Morant also left high school as a three-time All-Region Most Valuable Player (MVP). On the other hand, Jamie is a 47-year-old mother of two who has made immense contributions toward the success of her sons career. Anthony Davis led the . According to The Big Lead, Tee Morant played high school basketball alongside Ray Allen at Hillcrest High in Dalzell (S.C.). Ja Morant is a 6'3 170-pound point guard. Mama Lin supports her son and equally throws her weight behind Ja, pushing the youngster to always follow Gods plan. "[5] Morant played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with the South Carolina Hornets, a small grassroots team based in Columbia, South Carolina. By nationality, Ja holds American citizenship and belongs to an Afro-American ethnic background. However he has always been supportive of his son's basketball career. 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. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. "[1] His other Division I offers included Duquesne, Maryland Eastern Shore, South Carolina State, and Wofford. Ja Morant's record-breaking third quarter, triple-double highlight Grizzlies' win vs. Lakers The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers went toe-to-toe until Ja Morant's explosive third quarter . The campaign will feature Morant and his father Tee Morant in Powerade's "What 50% More Means" commercial. [35] After posting 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 14 assists in a 10270 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. At the end of the first half, Sharpe got into a shouting match with multiple Grizzlies players, including Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Steven Adams. Who Is Rosaline Hoss, Stephanie Beatrizs Daughter with Brad Hoss, Meet Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch, Benedict Cumberbatchs Son. While boatloads of opinions feel that Zion Williamson is a trascendent talent that far outranks Morant, a few feel that the Racers guard fits better in todays NBA. [60] The Grizzlies were eliminated, losing the series in five games. Tee Morant, Memphis Grizzlies' Point guard Ja Morant's father, says he has only missed one of Jas basketball games since he was six years old. Ja's father, Tee Morant, was a high school teammate of Ray Allen. He'll face a team Wednesday that was shredded for 71 points Sunday by Portland's Damian . The 23-year-old Grizzlies star earned a reputation as a gym rat during his prep career. Xavier Tillman finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane scored 16 points apiece. [19] He posted his first triple-double on December 28, recording 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists in an 8052 win over Eastern Illinois. Ja Morant has made at least $27,500,400 playing professional basketball. The 2020 Rookie of the Year was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career and has been the driving force behind an improving. He was 1st trainer, influencer, and even hater of Ja Morant, as per the player himself. We didn't see Towns Sr. wear the jersey, but he did hold onto it and congratulated the Morants on the first-round series win. According to the father of two, his little girl is easier to train than her big brother. However, relatively . Jamies anxiety level couldnt take it, he said. Also Read: Charles Barkley hilariously takes a shot at Steph Curry's place on the all-time scoring list. The elder Morant can be seen regularly in the stands during his son's games, whether at home. Loved the. He scored 18 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. The father of Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant said three fans, who have since been banned by the Utah Jazz, made vulgar and racist remarks to him and his wife during Wednesday's Game 2 at Vivint . 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