Ja Morant parents are Tee Morant and Jamie Morant, both of whom had athletic backgrounds and played important roles in his development. Tee played basketball at Claflin University and became heavily involved in training Ja from childhood, while Jamie was a former high school point guard and college softball player who provided a supportive influence at home. Ja’s backyard training with his father, combined with the family’s encouragement, became an important part of the foundation for his eventual rise from a small-town South Carolina prospect to an NBA star.
Introduction
When fans search for Ja Morant parents, they are looking at the family foundation behind one of basketball’s most recognizable modern point guards.
Ja Morant was born Temetrius Jamel Morant on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina. His parents, Tee and Jamie Morant, were both athletes, giving him a home environment where sports were already an important part of everyday life. The NBA’s official biography identifies Tee and Jamie as Morant’s parents, while Murray State’s official records also list him as the son of Tee and Jamie Morant.
Tee Morant’s influence was particularly direct. He had played basketball himself and later became the person who spent countless hours helping Ja develop his game. From backyard workouts to film sessions and conversations about basketball, Tee remained closely involved as his son’s career progressed.
Jamie played a different but equally important role. She had her own experience as an athlete and became a source of balance and encouragement for Ja as he worked through the challenges of becoming a professional basketball player.
The story of Ja Morant parents is therefore not simply about the family of a famous NBA player. It is also a story about two former athletes helping their son develop confidence, discipline and a love for basketball.
What Happened?
There was no single event that made Tee and Jamie Morant important to Ja’s basketball journey. Their influence developed over many years, beginning with his childhood in Dalzell.
Tee had already experienced competitive basketball before Ja was born. He played high school basketball alongside future Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen and later played college basketball at Claflin University in South Carolina. Sporting News reports that Tee graduated from Claflin in 1998 and later worked as a barber after deciding to focus on his family.
Instead of leaving basketball completely behind, Tee brought the sport into his son’s upbringing.
He trained Ja in the family’s backyard and helped him work on fundamental skills, including shooting, ball handling and jumping ability. ESPN reported that Tee constructed a concrete court and used tractor tires as part of Ja’s jumping workouts.
That training was not based on expensive facilities or a major basketball academy.
It was built around repetition.
Ja would practice at home, play against older competition and continue developing his skills. Over time, those early workouts helped establish the athletic foundation that would later become one of the defining characteristics of his NBA game.
Key Details About Ja Morant Parents
Several important facts about Tee and Jamie Morant are well documented:
- Father: Tee Morant
- Mother: Jamie Morant
- Son: Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant
- Ja’s birthplace: Dalzell, South Carolina
- Ja’s birth date: August 10, 1999
- Tee’s athletic background: Basketball player at Claflin University and former teammate of Ray Allen in high school
- Jamie’s athletic background: Former high school point guard and college softball player
- Tee’s role: Early basketball trainer, mentor and father
- Jamie’s role: Supportive parent and former athlete who understood competitive sports
- Ja’s college: Murray State University
- NBA draft: Selected No. 2 overall in 2019
The NBA and Murray State both officially identify Tee and Jamie as Ja’s parents.
Who Is Tee Morant?
Tee Morant is Ja’s father and one of the most visible members of the Morant family.
Before becoming known primarily as the father of an NBA star, Tee had his own basketball background.
He attended Hillcrest High School in Dalzell, South Carolina, where he played alongside Ray Allen. Tee subsequently attended Claflin University, where he continued playing basketball. He had aspirations of playing professionally and reportedly played overseas before returning home and focusing on family life.
Tee’s basketball experience became especially valuable once Ja began showing serious potential.
Rather than simply encouraging his son from the sidelines, Tee worked with him directly.
ESPN’s reporting on Morant’s rise described how Tee trained Ja in their backyard, including using tractor tires to develop his jumping ability. Tee also worked with Ja on shooting and other fundamental aspects of the game.
That hands-on involvement continued even after Ja became a college player and eventually entered the NBA.
Tee was also known for being demanding.
ESPN described the relationship as something of a “good cop/bad cop” dynamic, with Tee taking the tougher approach while Jamie tended to be more forgiving and supportive. After Grizzlies games, the family would often discuss Ja’s performance, with Tee willing to point out mistakes rather than simply celebrate the highlights.
That approach became part of the family’s philosophy: success did not mean the work was finished.
Who Is Jamie Morant?
Jamie Morant is Ja’s mother and another former athlete in the family.
Her sporting background included basketball and softball. Sources describing Ja’s upbringing identify Jamie as a point guard during her high school years and a softball player in college.
That athletic experience gave her a different perspective on Ja’s development.
While Tee was frequently the demanding basketball trainer, Jamie provided emotional support and another voice within the family.
ESPN reported that Ja’s parents had different approaches to evaluating his performances. Tee was more likely to focus on mistakes and areas that needed improvement, while Jamie tended to celebrate her son’s accomplishments and offer a softer perspective.
That combination mattered.
Young athletes can benefit from both constructive criticism and emotional encouragement. In Ja’s case, those two approaches existed within the same household.
The Backyard That Helped Build Ja Morant
One of the most interesting parts of Ja Morant’s childhood is how much of his development took place at home.
The Morant family lived in Dalzell, a small community in South Carolina. Ja did not emerge from one of the country’s most famous basketball academies.
Instead, his father helped create a training environment around the family home.
Tee built a concrete court and worked with Ja on a regular basis. The workouts included jumping exercises using tractor tires, while Ja also competed against older players.
This type of training helped Ja develop the explosive athleticism that eventually became a signature part of his NBA game.
His ability to attack the rim, change direction quickly and finish above the basket would later make him one of the league’s most exciting guards.
But athleticism alone does not explain his development.
The repetitive work at home helped him build skills alongside that natural ability.
Jamie and Tee’s Role Before Murray State
Ja’s high school career did not initially receive the level of national attention that eventually surrounded him.
At Crestwood High School in South Carolina, however, his production was strong.
Murray State’s official biography records that Morant was a three-time South Carolina All-State selection and three-time Region MVP. He finished as Crestwood’s all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points and averaged 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game as a senior.
Those numbers eventually attracted college attention.
Ja committed to Murray State, where his career took off nationally.
The Racers became the stage where his combination of scoring, passing and athleticism became impossible to overlook.
He was eventually selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.
From Murray State to the NBA
Murray State was a major turning point in Ja’s basketball journey.
According to the NBA’s official biography, Morant played two seasons for Murray State and started all 65 games during his college career. As a sophomore, he became the first player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game since the NCAA began officially recognizing assists in 1983-84.
He earned numerous honors during the 2018-19 season, including OVC Player of the Year and OVC Tournament MVP.
His performance made him one of the most exciting prospects in college basketball.
But the foundation had been laid years earlier.
Tee’s backyard training, Jamie’s support and the family’s commitment to basketball helped Ja develop before he became a nationally recognized prospect.
Tee Morant’s Influence During Ja’s NBA Rise
Tee remained heavily involved after his son reached the NBA.
ESPN reported that Tee continued watching games closely and discussing Ja’s performances with him. The father was not simply celebrating his son’s success; he continued to challenge him to improve.
That dynamic was especially notable because professional athletes often move away from direct parental coaching once they reach the highest level.
Tee’s role evolved instead.
He became a father, mentor and trusted voice who could provide feedback from outside the formal NBA coaching structure.
During Ja’s rookie season, Tee also recognized the importance of experienced NBA teammates helping his son adjust to professional basketball. ESPN reported that he personally asked veteran Jae Crowder to mentor Ja and look after him like a younger brother.
That decision illustrates an important part of Tee’s approach: he understood that being a supportive father did not mean pretending he could provide every piece of knowledge his son needed.
The Morant Family’s Basketball Culture
Basketball was not simply a sport Ja played.
It became part of the Morant family’s social environment.
A later court record concerning a 2022 pickup-game incident at the Morant family home described the family’s basketball environment and noted that players treated Tee and Jamie as “Pops” and “Ma.” The findings also described the family’s home games as organized, supervised gatherings where Tee and Jamie provided food and drinks for players.
That evidence provides additional context for how central basketball became to the Morant household.
The family home functioned as more than a private residence.
It was also a place where players gathered, competed and developed relationships.
That environment helps explain why Ja grew up comfortable playing against strong competition and why basketball remained closely connected to his family life.
What Officials / Organizations Said
The strongest authoritative evidence about Ja’s parents comes from basketball organizations that have documented his career.
The NBA’s official player biography identifies him as the son of Tee and Jamie Morant and confirms his South Carolina upbringing and college career.
Murray State’s official athletics profile similarly identifies Tee and Jamie as Ja’s parents and records his achievements at Crestwood High School and Murray State.
ESPN has provided some of the most detailed reporting about the family’s role in Ja’s development, particularly Tee’s backyard training, the parents’ different approaches to parenting and the family’s close involvement during Ja’s transition to the NBA.
These sources are more reliable for establishing the family’s history than unsourced celebrity-biography pages or social-media posts.
Why This Matters
Understanding Ja Morant parents provides useful context for understanding Ja himself.
His NBA career can easily be viewed through statistics, highlights, contracts and awards.
But his development began long before those achievements.
Tee brought firsthand basketball experience into the household. Jamie also understood competitive sports. Together, they gave Ja access to both technical guidance and emotional support.
The most important lesson may be that Ja’s development was not based solely on natural athletic ability.
His father repeatedly emphasized work.
His mother provided encouragement.
And the family created an environment where basketball was part of everyday life.
That combination helped Ja turn raw athletic ability into a highly developed professional skill set.
What Happens Next?
There is no new public development involving Tee or Jamie that changes the basic story of Ja’s upbringing.
Both remain important figures in the broader story of Morant’s basketball career, although much of their current private life is understandably outside the public record.
For Ja, the next chapters of his career will be determined primarily by his performance, health, team situation and ability to remain productive at the NBA level.
What is already established is that his parents played a significant role before he reached that stage.
From a South Carolina backyard to Murray State and eventually the NBA, the influence of Tee and Jamie can be traced throughout the early stages of his basketball journey.
The Bottom Line
Ja Morant parents, Tee and Jamie Morant, played complementary roles in the development of the NBA star.
Tee had a basketball career of his own and became Ja’s early trainer, working with him extensively in the family’s backyard. Jamie also had an athletic background and provided encouragement and balance within the family.
Ja’s eventual success at Crestwood High School and Murray State transformed him into a second-overall NBA draft pick in 2019. The NBA and Murray State both officially identify Tee and Jamie as his parents, while ESPN and other major outlets have documented the family’s influence on his development.
Their story is therefore an important part of understanding how Ja Morant developed from a talented young player in Dalzell, South Carolina, into an NBA star.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Ja Morant’s parents?
Ja Morant’s parents are Tee Morant and Jamie Morant. The NBA and Murray State officially identify them as his parents.
What did Tee Morant do before Ja became an NBA star?
Tee Morant was a basketball player who played at Claflin University and had previously played high school basketball alongside Ray Allen. He later focused on raising his family and worked as a barber.
Was Ja Morant’s father a basketball player?
Yes. Tee Morant played basketball in high school and at Claflin University. He also had aspirations of continuing his basketball career professionally.
What sports did Jamie Morant play?
Jamie Morant had an athletic background that included basketball and softball. She played point guard in high school and softball at the college level, according to biographical accounts of Ja’s upbringing.
Did Tee Morant train Ja Morant?
Yes. Tee played a direct role in Ja’s basketball development. ESPN and other major outlets have reported that he trained Ja in the family’s backyard, including using tractor tires for jumping exercises.
Where did Ja Morant grow up?
Ja Morant grew up in Dalzell, South Carolina. He attended Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina, before playing college basketball at Murray State University.
Did Ja Morant’s parents play professional basketball?
Tee Morant had basketball experience beyond college and reportedly played overseas, but he did not establish an NBA career. Jamie also had an athletic background but was not an NBA player.
How did Ja Morant’s parents influence his NBA career?
Tee provided hands-on basketball training and pushed Ja to keep improving, while Jamie provided support and encouragement. Their combined influence helped establish the family environment in which Ja developed his skills before reaching Murray State and eventually the NBA.
