Ja Morant’s Shocking Rise: From Overlooked Nobody to NBA Sensation – Guess Who Almost Missed Out on This Superstar?

When Ja Morant was selected second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, expectations soared.

The Memphis Grizzlies were banking on this young point guard to transform their fortunes, and Morant did not disappoint.

Averaging an impressive 17.5 points, 7 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in his rookie season, he quickly became a frontrunner for Rookie of the Year and a beacon of hope for the franchise’s first playoff run since 2017.

But beyond the dazzling dunks and electrifying plays lies a story that few fans know — a story of near misses, unexpected discoveries, and relentless work ethic that propelled Morant from obscurity to stardom.

Morant’s college career at Murray State University was brief but monumental.

In just two seasons, he redefined what it meant to be a dominant Division I player.

His freshman year stats were solid but unremarkable — 12 points, 6 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game — yet he led the Racers to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012.

The sophomore season, however, was a revelation.

Morant averaged a staggering 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 6 rebounds per game, becoming the first Division I player ever to average more than 20 points and 10 assists in a single season.

This extraordinary performance not only put Murray State on the basketball map but also earned Morant the rare honor of having his jersey retired by the school — a testament to his impact and legacy.

Despite his meteoric rise, Morant’s path to college basketball stardom was anything but certain.

In fact, during his senior year of high school, he was unranked by every major recruiting service.

Offers from Division I schools were scarce, limited to Murray State and a handful of others like USC, Maryland Eastern Shore, Wofford, UNC Ashford, and Duquesne.

His discovery was almost accidental.

Assistant coach James Kane wasn’t even scouting Morant initially.

He had come to a combine to watch another player but stumbled upon Morant warming up in a secondary gym.

Instantly recognizing his potential, Kane urged Murray State’s head coach to offer Morant a scholarship.

This “fluke” discovery turned out to be one of the best recruiting coups in recent memory.

Morant’s personal life adds another layer to his compelling story.

He is a devoted father to a baby girl, Kari, born in August 2019.

His girlfriend, Cadre Dixon, is an athlete herself, competing in basketball and volleyball at Fisk State University in Nashville.

Their relationship, which has been steady since at least late 2018, provides a stable foundation amid Morant’s whirlwind basketball career.

One of the most surprising facts about Morant is his late blooming as an athlete, especially in terms of dunking.

Up until his junior year of high school, he struggled to dunk consistently.

Morant himself admitted that during the summer before his senior year, he could only dunk once out of 25 attempts.

Standing at just 5’10” that summer, it’s no wonder his dunking was a challenge.

But through relentless practice and growth, he developed the explosiveness that now thrills Grizzlies fans nightly.

Work ethic is a cornerstone of Morant’s success.

Unlike many naturally gifted athletes who falter without discipline, Morant’s commitment to training has been unwavering.

His high school coach, Dwayne Edwards, recalled how Morant would never tire of practice, often continuing to shoot hoops in his backyard after team sessions ended.

This grit and determination have been crucial to his rapid development and are exactly what Memphis needs to sustain their playoff push.

Basketball runs deep in Morant’s family.

His father, Tee Morant, played high school basketball alongside NBA legend Ray Allen and competed at Claflin University, a Division II school.

Though Tee aspired to play professionally, he ended his basketball career early to support his family when Morant’s mother became pregnant.

Tee transitioned into a barber career, showing that sacrifices were made to ensure Ja’s future.

This family legacy of athleticism extends beyond basketball.

Morant’s mother, Jamie, was a two-sport athlete in college, excelling in both softball and basketball.

His grandfather and uncle were even drafted into Major League Baseball.

Clearly, Morant’s talent is part genetic, part relentless effort.

Before the NBA, Morant shared the court with another rising star: Zion Williamson.

They played together briefly on a small regional AAU team, the South Carolina Hornets, during the summer before Morant’s sophomore year and Williamson’s freshman year of high school.

Though their paths diverged afterward, this early connection between two future NBA stars adds a fascinating footnote to their stories.

Morant’s financial success came quickly.

Before the 2019 draft, he signed a lucrative contract with Nike reportedly worth over $8 million in his rookie season alone, escalating to more than $12 million by the final year of his rookie deal.

For a 20-year-old, this kind of contract is staggering.

Morant celebrated the deal on social media, proudly proclaiming that unlike his parents, who worked paycheck to paycheck, he now “works for the check.”

His favorite sneakers?

A pair of Kyrie Irving’s, gifted by Kyrie himself.

Despite their friendship, Morant isn’t shy about wearing them in games — proving he’s confident enough to face off against his basketball idols.

Interestingly, many fans don’t know that “Ja” is actually a nickname derived from his middle name, Jamel.

His full name is Demetrius Jamel Morant.

The nickname stuck in high school and has become his public identity, with Morant himself never correcting anyone — perhaps enjoying the mystique it adds.

Today, Morant’s home reflects his journey and achievements.

His trophy room is a shrine to his basketball career, adorned with memorabilia from Murray State and the Memphis Grizzlies.

The walls are decorated in navy, grizzly, and gold hues, symbolizing the teams that shaped him.

Ja Morant’s story is a compelling mix of drama, hard work, and unexpected fortune.

From an overlooked high school player to a college phenomenon, from a near-missed recruit to an NBA superstar, his rise is a testament to talent meeting opportunity — and the relentless drive not to let it slip away.

As Morant continues to electrify the NBA, one thing is clear: the best is yet to come.

And if Memphis has learned anything, it’s never to underestimate the kid who almost no one saw coming.