The FIBA World Cup 2023 is just around the corner, and Team USA looks set to bring home the gold with their young roster. With big names like Stephen Curry and LeBron James deciding not to play, Team USA is going to the World Cup with many young stars of the NBA. The team includes rising stars Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Austin Reaves. But one of the biggest young stars of the league, 24-year-old guard Ja Morant, will not suit up for Team USA in this year’s FIBA World Cup.

With last season’s DPOY, Jaren Jackson Jr. in the squad, the Memphis Grizzlies will be well-represented in the World Cup. But NBA fans wonder when they will see Ja Morant back on a basketball court.

Why Ja Morant is not part of Team USA?

Ja Morant has been the talk of the town since March when he went live on Instagram, showing off a firearm while hanging out at a strip club. The fans did not receive well this incident, and the NBA had to take strict action against the Grizzlies’ guard. NBA commissioner Adam Silver suspended Ja Morant for 8 games without pay for detrimental conduct to the league. The suspension cost Ja around $669,000 from his salary. Post the incident, Ja had a sit-down interview with Jalen Rose, where he took full responsibility for his actions.

When it seemed like the dust had settled, another Instagram video of Ja holding a firearm in a car with his friends surfaced in May. The Memphis Grizzlies immediately suspended Ja from all team activities until further notice.

Following a thorough investigation, Adam Silver suspended the 2-time All-Star for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 regular season without pay. Apart from the suspension, Ja is also restricted from participating in any public league or team activities. Ja issued another public apology, stating that he will focus on his mental health and decision-making during the suspension.

“For Ja, basketball needs to take a backseat at this time.” Adam Silver added. This is the reason Ja is not part of the USA roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, while his peers are all set to represent Team USA from August 25.

Ja Morant’s comeback to the NBA

With the schedule out for the 2023-24 season, Ja will be eligible to play for the Grizzlies on December 19 against the New Orleans Pelicans. Ja signed a 5-year $192 million extension with the Grizzlies in 2022, and his 25-game suspension will cost the superstar a whopping $7.6 million.

Read More: “There’s No Victim Here but Him”: As Ja Morant Set To Lose $7,000,000, Former All-Star Could Not Fathom $30 Billion Brand’s Actions Against the Grizzlies Star

With Ja on the court, Grizzlies become immediate title contenders. Ja averaged over 26 points and 8 assists last season, and his stats continue to rise every year. After parting ways with Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies added guard Derrick Rose and 2022 DPOY Marcus Smart for some much-needed veteran presence in the locker room. With Ja absent for the first 25 games, it will be interesting to see if the Grizzlies can hold their own and maintain a winning record till their superstar returns.

After a highly controversial off-season, Ja Morant will look to come back with a new mindset and focus strictly on his game rather than his off-court antics. It will be interesting to see how the next season pans out for Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.

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