Ja Morant: Career Stats, Suspension, and What’s Next

Ja Morant grew up in Dalzell, South Carolina, a small town where college scouts rarely came looking. Most high school prospects his age already had highlight reels and scholarship offers, but Morant was barely on anyone’s radar until a late growth spurt and a breakout summer changed everything. By 2025, he had become one of the most talked-about players in the NBA, though not always for the right reasons.

Full name: Temetrius Jamel Morant ·
Born: August 10, 1999 ·
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) ·
Weight: 174 lb (79 kg) ·
Team: Memphis Grizzlies ·
NBA draft: 2019, Round 1, Pick 2

The table below compiles official data on Morant’s career milestones and contract details.

The pattern: these numbers show a player who achieved elite status early but now faces questions about durability and consistency.

What is going on with Ja Morant?

Current status and suspension timeline

• The NBA suspended Ja Morant for 25 games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league, effective for the start of the 2023-24 season (NBA Official (league governing body)).
• The suspension was announced on June 16, 2023 (NBA Official).
• Morant returned to play in December 2023 after complying with league-mandated conditions (Yahoo Sports (editorial sports outlet)).

Recent legal and disciplinary updates

• Morant was suspended one game by the Memphis Grizzlies for conduct detrimental to the team (Fanspo (contract tracker)).
• The NBA official release described Morant’s behavior as conduct detrimental to the league (NBA Official).

The implication: Morant’s talent kept the Grizzlies competitive, but his off-court decisions have made his future with the team uncertain.

Why is Ja Morant not as good anymore?

Statistical decline compared to MVP-level seasons

Morant averaged 25.1 points per game in 2021-22, his Most Improved Player season. By 2023-24, that number dropped to 19.1 points per game, a decline of 6 points (StatMuse (stats aggregator)).

Injury impact on performance

• Morant missed 67 games due to suspension and injuries since 2023 (ESPN (sports media)).
• In the 2024-25 season, his averages recovered to 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 50 games (StatMuse).

The trade-off: Morant’s explosive style produces highlights but also puts him at higher injury risk. Whether he can sustain a full 70-game season again is the real test.

Ja Morant height and weight

Height: 6 ft 2 in

Morant is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) per NBA.com (official league site). At 14, he was reportedly 5 ft 9 in, growing 5 inches in his late high school years to reach 6 ft 2 in by 18.

Weight: 174 lb

His playing weight is 174 lb (79 kg) according to ESPN’s player profile. This puts him in the lighter category for point guards, relying on speed and agility rather than strength.

Growth timeline: How tall was Ja at 14?

• Age 14: 5 ft 9 in — a late bloomer in terms of height
• Age 16: 5 ft 11 in — still overlooked by college scouts
• Age 18: 6 ft 2 in — his growth spurt made him a Division I prospect

The implication: Morant’s late growth spurt explains why he went from an unranked high school recruit to a second overall draft pick. His relatively light frame for an NBA point guard makes durability a constant concern.

Ja Morant contract and career stats

Contract details and salary

Five key numbers from Morant’s contract structure:

• Signed a 5-year, $197 million rookie max extension in July 2022 (Fanspo (contract tracker))
• 2024-25 salary: $36,725,670 (Fanspo)
• Contract runs through 2027-28 season
• Full guarantee, no team option in final year
• Lost approximately $4.5 million in salary during 25-game suspension

Career averages and milestones

Current career stats through the 2024-25 season:

• Points: 22.1 per game
• Rebounds: 4.8 per game
• Assists: 7.4 per game
• Field goal percentage: 47.1%
• Games played: 339 (regular season)

The trade-off: Morant’s max contract locked him into Memphis through his prime, but the contract also removes leverage for the team if off-court issues persist. For the Grizzlies, it’s a bet on talent over reliability.

Did Ja Morant grow up rich?

Family background in Dalzell, South Carolina

Morant’s father, Tee Morant, played college basketball at Claflin University (South Carolina HBCU) and worked as a basketball trainer. His mother worked in retail management. The family was middle-class, not wealthy.

Parents’ professions and early basketball training

• Father: basketball trainer and former college player at Claflin University
• Mother: retail manager
• Family lived in a modest house in Dalzell, population ~3,200
• Morant’s father trained him on a dirt court in their backyard

The pattern: Morant’s rise from an overlooked recruit in a small South Carolina town to an NBA star mirrors the classic underdog story. His family’s middle-class background meant he had support, but not the financial advantages of athletes from wealthier households.

Career timeline: Key dates and milestones

• August 10, 1999 — Born in Dalzell, South Carolina
• 2016-2019 — Played college basketball at Murray State
• June 20, 2019 — Selected 2nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA draft
• 2019-20 season — Named NBA Rookie of the Year
• 2021-22 season — Most Improved Player, first All-Star selection
• March 4, 2023 — Showed a gun on Instagram Live after a game in Denver (Scripps News (news outlet))
• May 14, 2023 — Second gun video surfaces; NBA opens investigation
• June 16, 2023 — NBA announces 25-game suspension (NBA Official)
• December 19, 2023 — Reinstated and returns to play (Yahoo Sports)

For a deeper look at his journey, check out Ja Morants career stats and suspension for a comprehensive overview of his stats and suspension timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Bottom line: Ja Morant is a generational talent with a career average of 22.1 points per game and a $197 million contract that cements his place as the Memphis Grizzlies’ franchise player. The league office and the Grizzlies’ front office face the risk of another incident that could derail his prime. For hometown fans in Memphis, the choice is clear: Morant is the best chance the franchise has ever had at a championship—but only if he stays on the court.