There’s a reason Ja Morant doesn’t just play with flair, he plays with fire. The Memphis Grizzlies’ point guard didn’t show up to the NBA already polished with a spotlight-ready game. That kind of confidence and intensity? That started way before the draft, before Murray State, even before high school. So what’s the secret sauce behind Ja’s rise? Where does that edge come from? Was it pure talent? A lucky break? Or is there a deeper factor, a key motivator that formed him from the beginning?

Turns out, the real story starts in a tight-knit family home in Dalzell, South Carolina, with two parents who weren’t just present but pivotal.

Who are Ja Morant’s Parents?

Let’s be real: Ja’s parents, Tee and Jamie Morant, deserve their own highlight reel. This duo didn’t just raise an athlete, they built a foundation.

Tee, a former college basketball player who even played overseas, gave up his own pro aspirations to support his family. But he didn’t leave the game behind. Instead, he became Ja’s first coach, trainer, and motivator. From the backyard to the gym, Tee was in Ja’s ear every step of the way.

“I trained him to be a killer,” Tee once said in an interview. And you can see it. That unshakable mentality? That grit on the court? Straight from Dad.

Jamie, on the other hand, was the steady force, balancing Tee’s intensity with perspective and heart. She wasn’t a silent partner, either. A former high school point guard herself, she understood the game. But more importantly, she understood her son.

In an earlier interview, Ja said, “My mom gave me my calm. My dad gave me my fight.” And that balance? It’s written all over his game.

Why the Backyard Was Ja’s Real Training Ground

Forget fancy gyms or elite prep schools. Ja’s game was built on concrete driveways and relentless repetition. With his dad running drills and his mom watching closely, Ja worked for everything.

Tee, in an interview with the Washington Post, once recalled “I always told him: ‘There’s two types of goats — the greatest of all time or the one who blew the game. Never be afraid to be either one of them.’”

While other kids were playing video games, Ja was running cone drills, perfecting layups, and building basketball IQ at home. Tee even built a concrete court in the backyard just so Ja could train without limits.

But it wasn’t just physical training, it was mental, too. Tee constantly reminded Ja that being underrated was a blessing. That being overlooked would only make the spotlight shine brighter when it finally hits.

Ja wasn’t heavily recruited. He wasn’t well-known on a national level. But his parents didn’t hang back. They believed in the long game. That patience? It was being tested. But it was also what shaped Ja’s underdog mentality. The chip on his shoulder became his competitive edge.

Ja Morant’s College Stats

When Murray State finally offered Ja a scholarship, it was a moment of validation. But not a moment to slack off. Tee kept the same energy. Jamie kept the same standards. They reminded Ja that one offer didn’t change the mission, it only raised the stakes.

Ja’s breakout moment came during the 2019 NCAA Tournament when he posted a triple-double in his first game. The world was watching. But back home? Nothing changed.

“Growing up, my parents always told me, ‘while you’re out there you always have to have fun with it. You can’t play the game frustrated.’ That’s how I attack each game. Enjoy it. Have fun. And just be myself out there.” That grounding force never left. When Ja was selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, emotions were high. But so was the focus.

The Morants moved with Ja to Memphis for his rookie season, not to hover, but to help him adjust, stay disciplined and stay humble. Ja often credits his family in interviews, but it’s more than just lip service. You’ll see Tee sitting courtside at games, yelling feedback. You’ll see Jamie in post-game hugs, eyes full of pride.

Even Ja’s off-court decisions, like launching his “12 AM” clothing brand and giving back to youth programs, are rooted in values his parents instilled.

In 2019, Ja put up a tweet with the caption, “All my life my parents worked for a check. Now I’m proud to say I work for the check. #Nike #NikeBasketball.” How proud must’ve his parents felt, we can only imagine! 

So, the takeaway? It’s easy to get lost in the highlights—the dunks, the stats, the viral moments. But behind every rising star like Ja Morant is a quiet engine of love, sacrifice, and belief. Tee and Jamie didn’t just raise a player. They raised a young man with purpose, confidence, and poise.

And maybe that’s the real lesson here. Behind every elite athlete isn’t just talent.

It’s parents who show up every day, ready to put in the work, long before the world takes notice. Because when Ja Morant rises for that game-winning shot, it’s not just years of training behind it. It’s home.