Who Is Ja Morant? Biography and Background
Ja Morant, born Temetrius Jamel Morant on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, is an American professional basketball player who has emerged as one of the most electrifying guards in the NBA. Standing 6’2″ and weighing 174 lb, he plays the point guard position for the Memphis Grizzlies, the team that selected him with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. His rise from a relatively unheralded high school prospect to the league’s Rookie of the Year in 2020 and a two-time All-Star has been nothing short of remarkable.
Morant attended Murray State University, where he played two seasons of college basketball in the NCAA Division I Ohio Valley Conference. His sophomore year catapulted him into the national spotlight after he averaged 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the Racers to the NCAA tournament. That performance made him a consensus first-team All-American and the clear No. 2 pick behind Zion Williamson in the 2019 draft.
His professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies quickly established him as a franchise cornerstone. Britannica notes that he became one of the league’s leading point guards because of his dynamic, acrobatic style. That style—marked by explosive drives, creative finishes at the rim, and a fearless approach—has drawn comparisons to some of the most explosive guards in modern NBA history.
Temetrius Jamel Morant
Memphis Grizzlies
Guard / Point Guard
6’2″ / 174 lb
Key Insights
- Morant is the dynamic centerpiece of the Memphis Grizzlies backcourt, though his availability has been affected by a recent season-ending injury and a prior suspension related to a gun incident.
- His max rookie extension contract makes him one of the highest-paid players on the roster, with significant implications for the team’s salary cap.
- At 174 lb, Morant relies on agility, vertical leap, and speed rather than physical bulk, a factor that may contribute to certain injury risks.
- The 2023 gun incident and subsequent NBA suspensions notably impacted his public image and led to league discipline, though he has since returned to play.
- He won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and has been selected to the All-Star Game twice (2022, 2023).
- His career averages stand at 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, according to NBA.com.
- Off the court, a 2025 judge ruling determined that Morant acted in self-defense in a 2022 lawsuit over a punching incident, and he was awarded $300,000 in damages from The Wing Guru for breach of contract.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1999 |
| College | Murray State |
| Draft Year | 2019 (Round 1, Pick 2) |
| Jersey Number | 12 |
| All-Star Appearances | 2 (2022, 2023) |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | 2020 |
| Career PPG (NBA.com) | 20.0 |
| Career RPG (NBA.com) | 3.8 |
| Career APG (NBA.com) | 7.3 |
What Is Ja Morant’s Contract and Net Worth?
Details about Morant’s current contract are not entirely straightforward based on available information. One source, Lines.com, lists a 2-year, $17,897,040 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and an average annual salary of $8,948,520. However, that data appears to be older and does not account for the rookie max extension Morant signed later in his career. As a result, it should be treated as incomplete for his 2025 contract status.
What is clear is that Morant’s rookie max extension, signed after his breakout early seasons, places him among the higher-paid players on the Grizzlies roster. The exact figures of that extension are not confirmed in the available research, but the structure of such a deal would typically tie his salary to the league’s salary cap percentage, making it a significant financial commitment for the franchise.
The 2-year, $17,897,040 figure cited by some sources predates Morant’s later contract extension. Official NBA salary data or team announcements would be needed to confirm his current earnings and the full terms of his max rookie extension.
Regarding net worth, no verified figure for Ja Morant’s net worth appears in the available research. While various online estimates exist, none can be confirmed through the authoritative sources provided. His earnings from his NBA salary, endorsement deals with Nike (including his signature shoe line), and other business ventures are believed to be substantial, but precise numbers remain speculative.
Is Ja Morant Injured? Latest Injury Update
Yes, Ja Morant suffered a significant injury during the 2025–26 NBA season. According to Spanish Wikipedia sources, he sustained a left elbow ligament injury on January 21, 2026. Initially expected to miss several weeks, the injury was later determined to be severe enough that he was ruled out for the remainder of the season on March 24, 2026.
This injury limited Morant to just 20 games in the 2025–26 season. During those games, he averaged approximately 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game, according to the same source. The season-ending nature of the injury raises questions about his recovery timeline and readiness for the start of the following season.
Earlier Injury History
Morant also missed time in the 2024–25 season. He sat out 10 games after an attempted dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6, 2024, which resulted in what was described as an ankle or knee-type injury. This pattern of lower-body and upper-body injuries over consecutive seasons is a concern for the Grizzlies’ medical staff and front office.
While Morant was ruled out for the rest of the 2025–26 season on March 24, 2026, no official timeline has been provided for his return to play for the 2026–27 season. His recovery from the left elbow ligament injury will be closely monitored during the offseason.
Was Ja Morant Traded? Current Team and Trade History
This is one of the most confusing areas in the available information. Multiple online sources, including several Wikipedia language editions and ESPN, list Ja Morant as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers or suggest he was traded there. However, the most authoritative sources in the provided research—NBA.com and Britannica—continue to identify him as a player for the Memphis Grizzlies.
The discrepancy is significant. NBA.com’s official player bio and Britannica’s biography both place Morant with Memphis, the team that drafted him. No reliable evidence in the research supports the claim that he was traded to Portland. The inconsistency appears to be an error propagated by some databases and wiki pages, possibly due to confusion with other players or outdated speculation.
Based on the most credible sources available—NBA.com and Britannica—Ja Morant remains a Memphis Grizzlies player. The Portland Trail Blazers claims found in some wiki and ESPN entries are not supported by authoritative NBA or biographical sources in this research.
For the 2025–26 season, all signs point to Morant being on the Memphis Grizzlies roster. His trade status, if any change occurred, would need to be confirmed by official NBA transaction reports or team announcements. As of the information available, the Grizzlies remain his team.
What Happened with Ja Morant and the Gun? Controversy Explained
Ja Morant faced significant controversy in 2023 when he received two separate suspensions from the NBA for brandishing firearms on social media. According to Britannica, the first incident occurred in March 2023, when Morant appeared in an Instagram live video displaying a gun at a nightclub. The NBA suspended him for eight games as a result.
The second incident took place in June 2023, when another live stream showed Morant flashing a gun from a car. This led to a more severe suspension of 25 games. The German Wikipedia entry also confirms the eight-game suspension for the March 2023 incident, describing it as brandishing a firearm in a strip club livestream.
These suspensions had a notable impact on Morant’s public image and his standing with the league. He later issued public apologies and participated in programs mandated by the NBA. Since serving his suspensions, he has returned to play, though the incidents remain a significant part of his public narrative.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2019: Drafted 2nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA Draft.
- 2020: Wins NBA Rookie of the Year award after averaging 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
- 2022: Selected to his first NBA All-Star Game.
- 2023 (March): Suspended 8 games after brandishing a firearm in an Instagram live video at a nightclub.
- 2023 (June): Suspended 25 games after a second live stream showing a gun from a car.
- 2024 (November): Missed 10 games after an attempted dunk against the Lakers resulted in an ankle/knee injury.
- 2025: Judge dismisses 2022 lawsuit over a punching incident, ruling self-defense. Morant also awarded $300,000 in damages from The Wing Guru for breach of contract.
- 2026 (January): Suffers left elbow ligament injury.
- 2026 (March): Ruled out for the rest of the 2025–26 season.
What Are Ja Morant’s Career Stats and Achievements?
Ja Morant’s NBA career statistics, as listed on NBA.com, show per-game averages of 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Recent game logs from the 2025–26 season, before his injury, include standout performances such as 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in one game, and 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists in another. His 2025–26 season line, before the season-ending injury, showed approximately 19.5 points and 8.1 assists per game over 20 contests.
His major career honors include the NBA Rookie of the Year award (2020) and two All-Star selections (2022, 2023). He also led the Memphis Grizzlies to multiple playoff appearances, including a run to the Western Conference semifinals.
What Is Certain vs. What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Morant was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019 as the No. 2 overall pick. | His exact return date from the 2026 elbow injury has not been announced. |
| He won NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 and has two All-Star appearances. | His long-term role with the Grizzlies is uncertain if the team enters a rebuild. |
| He was suspended twice in 2023 for brandishing firearms on social media. | Specific details of the gun incident, including whether criminal charges were filed, were never fully litigated in the public domain. |
| His career averages are 20.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 7.3 APG (NBA.com). | Whether he was ever traded to Portland remains unconfirmed and appears to be based on incorrect sources. |
| He suffered a season-ending left elbow ligament injury in 2026. | His current contract terms beyond the older 2-year figure are not fully detailed in available sources. |
What Is Ja Morant’s Impact on the Game?
Morant’s impact on the court is defined by his explosive scoring and playmaking ability. His style—characterized by high-flying dunks, creative finishes, and a willingness to attack the rim against bigger defenders—has made him one of the most exciting players in the league. He has been the focal point of the Memphis Grizzlies’ offense since his rookie season, and his presence elevates the performance of teammates around him.
The trade implications, if any were to occur, would be significant. His contract is a major asset: a max deal that could be used as a franchise anchor for Memphis or, in a hypothetical rebuild scenario, as a valuable trade chip. His injury history, including the 2023 hip issue, the 2024 ankle/knee incident, and the 2026 elbow injury, represents a risk factor for any team building around him.
Off the court, Morant’s marketability took a hit following the 2023 gun incidents. However, he has been working to rebuild his public image. His signature shoe line with Nike remains a key part of his brand, and his endorsement portfolio could expand or contract based on his continued performance and conduct. The 2025 legal victories—the self-defense ruling and the breach of contract award—may help restore some public trust.
What Do Reputable Sources Say About Ja Morant?
“Ja Morant is a dynamic scorer and playmaker whose style of play has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook.”
— ESPN
“He became one of the league’s leading point guards because of his dynamic, acrobatic style.”
— Britannica
The Portland Trail Blazers organization, upon the occasion of a trade that some sources incorrectly reported, was quoted as saying: “We are excited to add a player of Ja’s caliber to our roster.” However, given the inconsistency in the available research regarding whether this trade actually occurred, this quote should be treated with caution. The most authoritative sources continue to list Morant as a Memphis Grizzlies player, and no official NBA transaction record confirming a trade to Portland is present in the provided information.
What Is Next for Ja Morant?
Morant’s immediate future centers on his recovery from the left elbow ligament injury that ended his 2025–26 season. His return to play will depend on the success of his rehabilitation and the team’s medical clearance. Beyond that, his role with the Memphis Grizzlies appears secure, provided he remains healthy. If the team were to shift toward a rebuild, his max contract could make him a prime trade asset, but no such move is indicated in the available information. Rebuilding his public image and maintaining consistent performance on the court will be key to his long-term career trajectory and endorsement potential. For similar profiles of other athletes, see Tyrese Haliburton – Stats, Injury, Contract & Personal Life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ja Morant
Why did Ja Morant get suspended?
Ja Morant was suspended by the NBA for 25 games in 2023 after brandishing a firearm in a social media video, violating the league’s conduct policy. An earlier 8-game suspension occurred in March 2023 for a similar incident.
How many points per game does Ja Morant average?
Ja Morant is a career 20.0 points per game scorer in the regular season, according to NBA.com. His 2025–26 season average was approximately 19.5 points before the season-ending injury.
Who is Ja Morant’s girlfriend?
Ja Morant has a long-term girlfriend named Morgan Miller, with whom he has a child.
What college did Ja Morant go to?
He played in the NCAA Division I for Murray State University in the Ohio Valley Conference.
What shoes does Ja Morant wear?
Ja Morant has a signature shoe line with Nike, which is part of his endorsement portfolio.
How old is Ja Morant?
Ja Morant was born on August 10, 1999, making him 25 years old as of 2025.
Is Ja Morant an All-Star?
Yes, he has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game twice, in 2022 and 2023.
What is Ja Morant’s jersey number?
Ja Morant wears jersey number 12 for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Was Ja Morant traded to the Portland Trail Blazers?
Based on the most authoritative sources available, including NBA.com and Britannica, Ja Morant remains a Memphis Grizzlies player. Claims of a trade to Portland are not supported by reliable evidence in the provided research.
What is Ja Morant’s net worth?
No verified net worth figure is available in the provided research. His earnings from his NBA salary and Nike endorsement are believed to be substantial, but precise numbers remain speculative.
Amelia Foster is Film & Television Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering film, television, streaming releases, reality TV, cast updates, trailers and UK screen-industry developments.