Ja Morant is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s most electrifying players, but in recent times, his name has become entangled in various controversies stemming from his actions. According to a Memphis Grizzlies team source, his father, Tee Morant, has been labeled the “driving force” behind his misconduct.
A comprehensive story by Baxter Holmes and Tim MacMahon from ESPN delves into the past 18 months of the star NBA point guard’s career. Prior to being drafted by the Grizzlies, one NBA scout described Morant as entirely free from any potential red flags, saying, “He was the consummate coachable teammate, a choirboy. Under-recruited. Didn’t have many scholarship offers. Played with a chip on his shoulder. Glowing stuff. Nothing. There was absolutely nothing.”
Ja recently addressed the critical piece about his father on Instagram.
Keep LIVIN the Dream OG. This hoopin shii started with you, I just continued it.
Morant boasts an impressive list of accolades, including the 2020 Rookie of the Year, the 2022 Most Improved Player, two All-Star selections, and has led the Grizzlies to multiple playoff appearances. During this time, his father has become increasingly present and prominent on the sidelines.
A source within the Grizzlies organization also believes that Tee Morant is living vicariously through his son, which has significantly influenced his behavior.
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The source expressed, “Tee has been a major driving force in all of this. He never made the NBA, but this was his chance to live like he’s an NBA superstar. That’s been a problem from the beginning.”
The 24-year-old point guard is set to serve a 25-game suspension for the upcoming 2023-2024 NBA season following his second gun-related incident. In May, he was seen brandishing a firearm on Instagram Live while driving with a friend. This video quickly circulated on the internet, particularly in light of his prior gun-related incident in March.
