History of Ja Morant in Timeline
Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant is a professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He gained recognition playing college basketball for Murray State, earning consensus first-team All-American honors in 2019. Known for his athleticism and playmaking abilities, Morant quickly became a prominent figure in the NBA.
1984: First Murray State Triple-Double
In 1984, Isacc Miles recorded the first triple-double in Murray State history.
1996: Former Assist Record
In the 1996-97 season, Chad Townsend set the previous school single-season assist record of 212.
1998: Last Mid-Major First Pick
In 1998, Michael Olowokandi of Pacific was the last true mid-major pick in the top five of the NBA draft.
August 10, 1999: Ja Morant Born
On August 10, 1999, Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant was born. He is now a professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies.
1999: Previous Assists Record
In 1999, Aubrey Reese set the previous assists record at CFSB Center with 12 against Alabama State.
February 2007: Previous Grizzlies Record
In February 2007, Mike Miller set the previous record for most points in a game by a Grizzlies player.
2012: Last Triple-Double
In 2012, Draymond Green recorded the last triple-double in the NCAA tournament before Ja Morant.
July 2016: Discovered by Murray State
In July 2016, Ja Morant was accidentally discovered by Murray State's assistant coach James Kane while attending a camp.
September 3, 2016: Committed to Murray State
On September 3, 2016, Ja Morant committed to playing basketball for Murray State University.
November 10, 2017: Murray State Debut
On November 10, 2017, Ja Morant debuted for Murray State, scoring 7 points and providing a team-high 11 assists in a win against Brescia University.
December 12, 2017: First Career Double-Double
On December 12, 2017, Ja Morant recorded his first career double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in a loss to Saint Louis.
2017: Unranked Recruit
In 2017, Ja Morant was unranked by recruiting services.
February 1, 2018: Season High in Points
On February 1, 2018, Ja Morant scored a season-high 23 points against Southeast Missouri State.
November 24, 2018: First Multiple Triple-Double
On November 24, 2018, Ja Morant became the first Murray State player to ever record multiple triple-doubles.
December 2018: Projected Top Five Pick
Around December 2018, Ja Morant was almost unanimously projected as a top-five selection in the 2019 NBA draft.
2018: AAU Teammate with Zion Williamson
In 2018, Ja Morant played in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with Zion Williamson.
January 10, 2019: Wooden Award Watch List
On January 10, 2019, Ja Morant was named to the midseason top 25 watch list for the John R. Wooden Award and broke the school record for most assists in a single game, with 18.
January 2019: Potential First Overall Pick
In late January 2019, at least one outlet forecasted Ja Morant as the first overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft.
July 2, 2019: Signed with Grizzlies
On July 2, 2019, Ja Morant signed a four-year contract worth $39.6 million with the Memphis Grizzlies.
August 7, 2019: Morant's Daughter Was Born
On August 7, 2019, Ja Morant's daughter was born, marking a significant personal life event.
October 23, 2019: NBA Debut
On October 23, 2019, Ja Morant made his NBA debut for the Memphis Grizzlies in a loss to the Miami Heat, scoring 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
2019: Declared for NBA Draft
Following Murray State's loss in the 2019 NCAA Tournament, Ja Morant announced his intention to declare for the 2019 NBA draft.
2019: Named All-American
In 2019, Ja Morant was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore while playing college basketball for the Murray State Racers.
2019: Drafted by Grizzlies
In 2019, Morant was selected as the second overall pick in the NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.
February 9, 2020: First NBA Triple-Double
On February 9, 2020, Ja Morant recorded his first career triple-double in a win over the Washington Wizards.
December 23, 2020: Career High 44 Points
On December 23, 2020, Ja Morant recorded a then career-high 44 points in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
2020: NBA Rookie of the Year
In 2020, Ja Morant was named the NBA Rookie of the Year.
May 21, 2021: Play-In Victory
On May 21, 2021, Ja Morant led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 117–112 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament, securing a playoff spot.
June 1, 2021: Moneybagg Yo Releases "Rookie of the Year" Song
On June 1, 2021, rapper Moneybagg Yo released the song "Rookie of the Year" in celebration of Ja Morant being named NBA Rookie of the Year.
June 3, 2021: Morant Releases "Promiseland" Documentary
On June 3, 2021, Ja Morant released a six-episode documentary titled "Promiseland", which focused on his first NBA season and provided insights into his life and career.
October 20, 2021: Season Opener Win
On October 20, 2021, Ja Morant recorded 37 points and six assists in a 132–121 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Grizzlies' season opener.
April 21, 2022: First Postseason Triple-Double
On April 21, 2022, during Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, Ja Morant posted 16 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, achieving the first postseason triple-double in Grizzlies franchise history.
July 6, 2022: Morant signed five-year extension with the Grizzlies
On July 6, 2022, Ja Morant signed a five-year extension with the Memphis Grizzlies, guaranteeing him $193 million, potentially increasing to $231 million if he makes an All-NBA team.
September 2022: Morant Named in Lawsuit for Alleged Assault
In September 2022, Ja Morant was named as a defendant in a lawsuit. The suit alleged that in July 2022 Morant punched a 17-year-old male during a basketball game at his home, leading to a police investigation. The district attorney's office did not proceed with the case due to insufficient evidence.
2022: Named NBA All-Star
In 2022, Ja Morant was named to his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter. Also won the NBA Most Improved Player Award and was selected to his first All-NBA Team.
January 29, 2023: Morant Records Seventh Career Triple-Double
On January 29, 2023, Ja Morant achieved his seventh career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in a win against the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Grizzlies player to reach at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists in a single game.
February 5, 2023: Report of Altercation between Morant's associates and Pacers
On February 5, 2023, a report surfaced about an altercation between Ja Morant's associates and members of the Indiana Pacers on January 29, involving verbal exchanges and a physical confrontation, leading to the removal of one of Morant's associates from the game.
March 1, 2023: Report details mall incident and previous altercation
On March 1, 2023, a report detailed an incident where Ja Morant allegedly threatened a head of security at a Memphis mall after his mother had an altercation with an employee. The report also provided further details on the alleged assault of a 17-year-old.
March 4, 2023: NBA Investigates Morant for Gun Display
On March 4, 2023, the NBA launched an investigation into Ja Morant after a video surfaced of him displaying a gun at a nightclub. Subsequently, Morant announced he would take time away from the Grizzlies, deactivated his social media accounts, and entered a counseling program, with Nike expressing support for his well-being.
March 6, 2023: Investigation Launched After Gun Allegedly Flashed in Strip Club
On March 6, 2023, the police department of Glendale, Colorado, initiated an investigation into Ja Morant after he allegedly flashed a gun in a strip club during an Instagram live stream. However, he did not face criminal charges.
December 19, 2023: Morant returns from suspension with game-winning shot
On December 19, 2023, Ja Morant returned from suspension, scoring 27 of his 34 points in the second half and making the game-winning shot in a 115–113 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.
January 8, 2024: Morant to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
On January 8, 2024, it was reported that Ja Morant would undergo season-ending right shoulder surgery after sustaining a subluxation during team practice, ending his season prematurely.
