50 Super Interesting Facts About Memphis Grizzlies Superstar Ja Morant

Here are some interesting facts about Ja Morant

1. Ja Morant was born on August 10, 1999 in Dalzell, South Carolina.
2. His full name is Temetrius Jamel Morant.
3. His parents are Tee and Jamie Morant, who both played basketball in high school and college.
4. He trained in his backyard with his father, who taught him step-back jump shots and bought tractor tires for him to practice jumping with a soft landing.
5. He was only lightly recruited by NCAA Division I programs and unranked by recruiting services, despite having been named All-Region Most Valuable Player three times and earning All-State honors at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina.
6. He was discovered by Murray State assistant coach James Kane, who saw him play at an AAU tournament while scouting another player.
7. He played college basketball for the Murray State Racers from 2017 to 2019, where he was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2019.
8. He became the first player in NCAA history to average 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game for a single season.
9. He led the NCAA in assists with 10.0 per game and ranked ninth in scoring with 24.5 points per game in his sophomore season.
10. He won several awards in his sophomore season, including the Lute Olson Award, the Bob Cousy Award, the OVC Player of the Year, and the OVC tournament MVP.
11. He had a triple-double of 17 points, 16 assists, and 11 rebounds in his NCAA tournament debut against Marquette, becoming the eighth player to record a triple-double in the tournament and the first since Draymond Green in 2012.
12. He declared for the 2019 NBA draft after his sophomore season and hired an agent, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.
13. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, behind Zion Williamson.
14. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020 after averaging 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
15. He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 27 points and 14 assists in his playoff debut against the Utah Jazz in 2021.
16. He scored a career-high 47 points in Game 2 of the same series, becoming the youngest player to score 45-plus points in a playoff game and the second player to score 40-plus points in his first two playoff games after George Mikan.
17. He was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter in 2022 after averaging 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game before the All-Star break.
18. He won the NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2022 after increasing his scoring average by more than eight points per game from the previous season.
19. He was also selected to his first All-NBA Team , making the second team alongside Stephen Curry , Kevin Durant , Giannis Antetokounmpo , and Nikola Jokić.
20. He had his jersey number 12 retired by Murray State Racers in February 2020, becoming the first player in school history to receive that honor.
21. He wears the number 12 because it was his father’s number when he played basketball.
22. He has a daughter named Kaari Jaidyn Morant, who was born on August 7, 2019.
23. He has a tattoo of a lion on his chest, which represents his zodiac sign Leo.
24. He is a fan of rapper Lil Wayne and has a tattoo of his lyrics on his arm.
25. He is nicknamed “Ja Rules” by his teammates and fans, a reference to rapper Ja Rule.
26. He is also known for his signature celebration, which involves pointing to his wrist and saying “it’s my time” after making a big play.
27. He is close friends with fellow NBA players Zion Williamson and De’Aaron Fox, who he met through AAU basketball.
28. He is an avid gamer and often streams himself playing video games such as Call of Duty and NBA 2K on Twitch.
29. He is a devout Christian and often posts inspirational messages and Bible verses on his social media accounts.
30. He is involved in several charitable causes and initiatives, such as donating meals to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting local businesses in Memphis, and raising awareness for social justice issues
31. He wears the shoe size 12 and has a shoe deal with Nike.
32. He has a younger sister named Teniya Morant, who also plays basketball and wears the number 12.
33. He is nicknamed “Point God” by his fans and peers, a reference to his elite playmaking skills and leadership.
34. He is known for his explosive athleticism and dunking ability, often posterizing defenders and jumping over them.
35. He is also a skilled shooter and scorer, having improved his three-point percentage from 30.7% in his rookie season to 36.4% in his third season.
36. He is a clutch performer and has hit several game-winning shots in his career, such as a buzzer-beating floater against the Miami Heat in 2020 and a bank shot over Paul George in 2021.
37. He is a vocal leader and motivator for his team, often rallying them with inspirational speeches and gestures.
38. He is a loyal teammate and friend, often showing support and appreciation for his fellow Grizzlies players and staff.
39. He is a humble and respectful player, often giving credit to his opponents and mentors, such as Chris Paul , Damian Lillard , and Mike Conley.
40. He is a fan favorite and a rising star in the NBA, having won several fan votes and awards, such as the NBA All-Star Game starter, the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge champion, and the NBA Player of the Week.
41. He is the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to score 40-plus points in a playoff game.
42. He is the second player in NBA history to record at least 35 points and 10 assists in multiple playoff games before turning 23, joining Luka Dončić .
43. He is the fourth player in NBA history to record at least 40 points and 10 assists in a playoff game, joining Jerry West , LeBron James , and Russell Westbrook.
44. He is the sixth player in NBA history to record at least 35 points and five assists in each of his first two playoff games, joining Michael Jordan , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Oscar Robertson , Bob Cousy , and Wilt Chamberlain.
45. He is the seventh player in NBA history to record at least 30 points and five assists in each of his first three playoff games, joining Michael Jordan , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Oscar Robertson , Bob Cousy , Wilt Chamberlain , and Luka Dončić .
46. He is the eighth player in NBA history to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in his first career All-Star Game, joining Magic Johnson , Isiah Thomas , Kevin Johnson , Gary Payton , Allen Iverson , LeBron James , and Kyrie Irving.
47. He is the ninth player in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 15 assists in a game before turning 22, joining Oscar Robertson , Magic Johnson , Isiah Thomas , Kevin Johnson , Stephon Marbury , Chris Paul , John Wall , and Trae Young.
48. He is the tenth player in NBA history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a game before turning 21, joining Oscar Robertson , Magic Johnson , Isiah Thomas , Kevin Johnson , Stephon Marbury , LeBron James , Chris Paul , John Wall , and Trae Young .
49. He became the first player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a season since the NCAA officially began tracking assists in 1983-84.
50. He was the first member of the 2019 Draft class to secure a shoe deal with Nike.