Tee Morant is famous as the father of popular Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant. Ja is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA. He was drafted with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020.
Ja has been in the limelight following his gun display violence and strip club fiasco that rocked the NBA for weeks. The scandal began when Ja posted a video on Instagram showing off a handgun aboard a private plane. While the buzz surrounding the scandal has reduced, the curiosity spilled to his father.
So, who is Tee Morant?
Who Is Tee Morant?
Tee Morant was born to his parents in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, in 1978. While most details about his early life are unknown, online reports suggest Tee also played high school basketball at Hillcrest High School, South Carolina. Tee Morant was a high school teammate of Ray Allen, and after graduating from high school, he played college basketball for Claflin University.
After playing semi-professionally, Tee considered playing professional basketball overseas. Although he shared the court with a Hall-of-Famer, Tee opted not to pursue a more professional career. However, his burning passion for the sport never died, and fans of his famous son admire him for his vibrant persona.
What Does Ja Morant’s Dad Do for a Living?
Although there was a chance he could have taken his talents to the pro level, he opted to become a barber after his wife became pregnant with the high-flying point guard. While Ja Morant’s father abandoned his career as a basketball player, he did not leave the game in its entirety.
Even though he did not play professionally, Tee Morant is a famous name in the sports circle. The fact that Ja made it to the NBA isn’t a huge surprise when you consider his father was no slouch back in the day.
In addition, he is also an entrepreneur and media personality who runs a few local investments. However, he is more prominently known for being a strict critic of his son.
Is Ja Morant’s Father, Tee Morant, Married?
Yes, he is. Tee Morant reportedly tied the knot with his wife, Jamie Morant, a high school basketball player, over two decades ago. However, the celebrity parents have kept the details of their marriage private. Hence, details of their love life elude the media. Since there isn’t much to go by, information regarding their wedding date and venue is unknown.
However, online reports suggest that Tee Morant started dating Jamie way back in school. This conclusion is because Jamie was already pregnant with their first child almost immediately after Tee graduated from the university. In addition, the age of their first child, Ja, who is already well into his twenties, indicates that the duo’s relationship has lasted over twenty years and still counting.
Did Ja Morant’s Dad Play Basketball in the NBA?
No, he didn’t. Although Tee had a promising college basketball career, he had to give up his dreams to become involved with his family after his wife became pregnant. He left his athletic career and started a local business as a barber.
However, he never gave up nurturing his son’s athletic pursuits, investing himself to ensure Ja became successful. Famous as his son’s harshest critic, he instilled a competitive nature within him and dissuaded him from being mediocre. Consequently, Tee Morant’s son, Ja Morant, attributes his success in the NBA to his father’s tough love.
How Many Children Does Tee Morant Have?
Ja Morant’s father has two children from his marriage to Jamie Morant. The happily married couple welcomed their first child and son, Ja Morant, on August 10, 1999. Five years after the birth of their son, Tee and Jamie welcomed their second child and daughter, Teniya Morant.
Teniya was born on February 16, 2005. This apple also did not fall far from the tree. Teniya is also following in her brother’s footsteps as a basketball player. Ja Morant’s sister, Teniya, is a high school basketball player who aspires to play professionally.
Tee Morant’s Net Worth
Ja Morant’s dad has a relatively small net worth of about $500,000. The celebrity father’s primary source of income is his career as a media personality and entrepreneur. Hence, he can afford a life of luxury and comfort. However, his son has a whopping net worth of $50,000,000 from his career as a professional basketball player.
Like Craig Hemsworth, the Hemsworth brothers’ father, Tee Morant is a celebrity in his own right. Ja Morant’s dad might not have made it as an athlete, but he is living the dream through his son’s accomplishments.