Ja Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies, known for his standout performance at Murray State and subsequent success in the NBA.
He was drafted second overall in the 2019 NBA draft and quickly made an impact, earning the Rookie of the Year title in his debut season.
Despite facing a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023-24, Morant’s career trajectory remains promising, showcasing impressive stats and skills on the court.
Net worth | $50 million |
Profession | Basketball player |
Date of birth | August 10, 1999 |
Nationality | American |
Background
Morant was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, to Tee and Jamie Morant.
His father, Tee Morant, played college basketball but changed his career plans when Ja was born.
Tee became a barber and a trainer for his son, who developed a love for basketball at a young age.
Jamie is also a former collegiate athlete who played basketball and softball at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
She is a Georgia native and met Tee Morant at Claflin University.
Morant has a younger sister named Teniya
It is important to note that Morant’s father was a semi-pro basketball player who played with future Hall of Famer Ray Allen in high school.
Tee gave up his basketball career when Jamie Morant was pregnant with Morant and settled down in Dalzell to raise his family.
Net worth
Morant’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million, primarily from his NBA contract and endorsement deals with several prominent brands.
In the 2023/24 NBA season, he will earn $34 million from his contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Morant has endorsement deals with Nike, Powerade, DoorDash, Panini, Wendy’s, JBL, Body Armor and other brands, but the exact earnings from these partnerships are not publicly available.
Salary and contracts
Morant signed a five-year, $197.2 million contract extension with the team in July 2022, which will keep him in Memphis through the 2027-28 season.
The contract includes a full guarantee of $197,230,450 and an annual average salary of $39,446,090.
In the 2023-24 season, he will earn a base salary of $34,005,250, while carrying a cap hit of $34,005,250 and a dead cap value of $34,005,250.
Morant’s contract is the same one signed by Zion Williamson, and he also has a bonus where the total amount of the deal will skyrocket to over $231 million if he makes an All-NBA team in 2022-23.
He also has a 15% trade bonus should Memphis decide to trade him.
Nike endorsement deal
Morant signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Nike in 2019, before being drafted second overall.
The deal included a signature sneaker line, the Nike Ja, which was expected to be released in the summer of 2023 with three colorways.
Morant’s explosive playing style, drawing comparisons to Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, was a perfect fit for Nike’s marketing strategy.
However, Morant’s off-court behavior has raised concerns for Nike.
In March 2023, he was suspended eight games by the NBA for flashing a gun on Instagram Live.
Nike initially stood by Morant, emphasizing his accountability and well-being.
However, in May 2023, Morant was again seen flashing a gun on Instagram Live, leading to a 25-game suspension by the NBA.
Nike reaffirmed its support for Morant, stating that they were pleased he was taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being.
Powerade deal
Morant signed a multi year endorsement deal with Powerade in March 2023, making him the face of the brand’s biggest marketing campaign in its 36-year history.
However, the partnership was short-lived due to Morant’s off-court troubles.
After posting a video on Instagram Live showing him holding a gun at a Denver-area strip joint, Powerade pulled its ads featuring Morant and removed his likeness from their website.
Since then, Powerade has distanced itself from Morant, stating that they do not have any Morant-related content running in their marketing campaigns.
Car collection
Morant’s car collection is an impressive display of luxury, power and performance, reflecting his success and personality in the NBA.
The collection includes the Rolls-Royce Dawn, valued at $370,000, known for its sophistication and raw power, the Dodge Charger 392 Scat Pack, valued at $56,000, representing American power and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, valued at $70,000, offering versatility and performance.
Real estate
Morant owns an impressive $14 million mansion in Eads, Tennessee, which serves as a luxurious estate and a symbol of his success in basketball.
This 12,760 square-foot mansion features a regulation home court, reflecting his journey from humble beginnings to NBA stardom.
Additionally, Morant recently purchased a neighboring house for $3.05 million in Tennessee to keep his family close, showcasing his commitment to family and community.
College career
Morant played his college basketball for the Murray State Racers, where he had a standout career from 2017 to 2019.
He was a consensus first-team All-American and led the NCAA Division I in assists during his time at Murray State.
Morant’s impressive performance included setting school records for career assists and single-season points, as well as becoming the first NCAA player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a single season.
After leading Murray State to the OVC Tournament title in 2019, he declared for the NBA draft and was selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
NBA draft
Morant’s transition to the NBA was successful, as he was drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019 NBA draft.
He quickly made an impact, earning the Rookie of the Year title in his debut season.
Morant has continued to showcase his skills on the court, averaging 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.
Despite facing a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023-24, Morant’s career trajectory remains promising, showcasing impressive stats and skills on the court.
Controversies
Morant has been involved in several controversies both on and off the court.
In July 2022, he was accused of threatening a mall security guard and later that month, he was accused of beating up a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his house.
In January 2023, Morant’s acquaintances were accused of aggressively confronting members of the Indiana Pacers’ traveling party and shining a red laser on them, which was believed to be attached to a gun.
In March 2023, he went on Instagram Live and flashed a gun on camera, which led to an NBA investigation and Morant taking time away from basketball to receive help.
Morant has since apologized for his actions and stated that he is committed to working on himself.
The NBA suspended Morant for 25 games for his second gun incident in June 2023.