Ja Morant’s Dad Has Always Kept His Son Humble From the Backyard to the NBA

Ja Morant’s Dad Has Always Kept His Son Humble From the Backyard to the NBA

Introduction

Ja Morant, the rising NBA superstar, has often referred to his father, Tee Morant, as his biggest hater. However, Tee’s unique way of criticism in jest has played a crucial role in Ja’s journey from a 0-star recruit to a phenom at Murray State University and eventually a prominent player in the NBA. Tee’s constant criticism and guidance have helped Ja remain humble and focused on improving his game, leading to undeniable success in his basketball career.

Tee Morant: A Basketball Background

Similar to his NBA All-Star son, Tee Morant also played as a point guard during his basketball career. He attended Hillcrest High School in Dalzell, South Carolina, where he had the opportunity to be teammates with none other than Hall of Famer Ray Allen. After high school, Tee continued his basketball journey by playing college basketball at Claflin University, a historically Black college located in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Tee’s Transition and Role as Ja’s Mentor

Despite Tee’s talent as a basketball player, he chose to end his playing career when his wife, Jamie Morant, gave birth to their son Ja in 1999. Tee then pursued a career as a barber, but as soon as Ja showed an interest in basketball, Tee was right there to support him. Tee placed Ja under the guidance of his high school coach, Dwayne Edwards, who coached him at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina. Even during Ja’s prep career, he gained a reputation as a dedicated gym rat, often outworking everyone in practice. Tee played a significant role in Ja’s development by working out with him at home and offering constant feedback on his performance.

Ja Morant's dad after his triple double

Ja Morant’s dad after his triple double: “What he did out here proves that he’s the best player in the country.”

After Ja’s high school and college games, Tee and Ja would break down his performance together. While Tee would nitpick Ja’s mistakes, he also showed his son unwavering support. Tee even publicly advocated for Ja’s case to be the first overall pick ahead of Zion Williamson in the 2019 NBA Draft. However, for Tee, the most important aspect was Ja’s leadership on the court.

The Morant Family’s Basketball Legacy

Tee and Ja aren’t the only ones in the Morant family with a passion for basketball. Ja’s younger sister, Teniya Morant, is also a talented player who is about to start her senior season at Houston High School outside of Memphis. The Morant family’s love for the game runs deep, and their support for each other is evident.

Tee Morant: The Sideline Star of the 2022 NBA Playoffs

During the 2022 NBA postseason, Tee Morant became a notable figure in his own right. His interactions with Karl Towns Sr., the father of Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns, became a highlight of the first-round playoff series broadcasts. Initially, their banter was all in good fun, but they eventually made things interesting by making a friendly bet.

Ja and KAT’s fathers show some sportsmanship during Game 1

Ja and KAT’s fathers show some sportsmanship during Game 1

The terms of the bet were simple: if the Memphis Grizzlies won the series, Karl Towns Sr. had to wear a Ja Morant jersey, and if the Minnesota Timberwolves won, Tee Morant had to wear a Karl-Anthony Towns jersey. Tee’s joy was evident when the Grizzlies closed out the series with a 4-2 victory in Minneapolis, forcing Towns Sr. to fulfill his end of the bet. During a postgame interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Ja graciously handed his jersey to Mr. Towns, who held onto it and congratulated the Morant family on the series win.

Ja gave KAT’s dad his jersey after Karl Sr. lost his series bet

Ja gave KAT’s dad his jersey after Karl Sr. lost his series bet

Tee, never one to hold back, also gave his own impromptu post-game interview, stating that Ja played like trash in a humorous manner.

Tee Morant's post-game interview

Just trying to wrap up the night & was not prepared for Tee Morant to ask me to do an interview. Love the honesty when asked about his son’s play

Aside from his interactions with other NBA players’ fathers, Tee also gained attention for his resemblance to the singer Usher. During a Game 5 matchup between the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves in Memphis, Usher sat next to Tee to debunk rumors about their resemblance. The two even wore nearly identical outfits, and the arena gave them a shoutout on the “Look Alike Cam” during a timeout. The resemblance was uncanny, and the idea of Usher attending a Grizzlies game as Tee for a twin situation was suggested, adding to the humor surrounding Tee Morant.

Usher attends the Grizzlies game with Tee Morant

Had to See What the Hype was about

While Tee may not be able to physically stop other NBA players like Steph Curry or Kevin Durant on the court, he continues to play a pivotal role in Ja’s life and career, keeping him grounded and motivated to achieve even greater success.

Conclusion

Ja Morant’s father, Tee Morant, has been an influential figure in Ja’s basketball journey. From his days as a player himself to his role as Ja’s mentor and critic, Tee’s support and guidance have helped shape Ja into the NBA superstar he is today. Tee’s humorous interactions during the 2022 NBA Playoffs and his dedication to keeping Ja humble serve as a testament to the strong bond between father and son.