Temetrius Jamel Morant, also called Ja Morant, is an American basketball player best known for being a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. He was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina to an extremely athletic family. His father, Tee Morant, was on the basketball team with Ray Allen during his university years, while his mother, Jamie Morant, played softball in college. Morant also has a younger sister, Teniya, who was into basketball so his love for the sport started fairly young.
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Morant played basketball throughout his high school years, earning him the title “All-Region Most Valuable Player” at least three times. But despite his stellar record, he wasn’t considered a “hot recruit” and was only lightly recruited by NCAA Division I into Murray State University. Nevertheless, Morant focused on his gameplay which earned him his first-team all-conference honors during the Ohio Valley Conference. By his sophomore year, the aspiring player experienced his breakout season and won the OVC Player of the Year.
Morant continued to shine throughout the year and even became the first player in the NCAA to score 20-plus points and 10-plus assists per game in a single season. Thanks to his incredible performance, Morant was the second overall pick by the Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA draft. The newcomer felt at home with his new team, encouraging him to level up his gameplay. By 2020, Morant was named NBA Rookie of the Year, followed by his NBA Most Improved Player Award in 2022.
It’s undeniable that Morant is a powerhouse when it comes to the court. But with this monumental rise in fame comes a long list of rumors, controversies, and inquiries into the player’s private life. From his relationships to his legal battles, everything’s fair game for the fans. So, is Ja Morant gay? Let’s answer the question once and for all.
VOTE: What is Ja Morant’s Sexuality?
Ja Morant’s Relationships
Despite his high-profile career as a professional basketball player, Morant’s personal life is relatively kept away from the spotlight. The rookie has only been in one public relationship all his life, and that’s with his ex-girlfriend and baby mama, KK Dixon. It’s believed that the couple first met while they were still both in college. Although Dixon was a volleyball team member, she soon exchanged her athletic career for entrepreneurship.
It’s unclear when Morant and Dixon started dating, but they publicly confirmed their relationship in 2018. A year after their official debut, the couple welcomed their first and only child, Kaari Jaidyn Morant. Dixon suffered complications during pregnancy and childbirth, so the couple was determined to raise awareness for other expectant mothers. Despite going through traumatic times together, the pairing wasn’t meant to be.
Morant and Dixon stopped following each other on social media and soon enough rumors were circulating that they have broken up. While they never directly commented on their split, it’s reported that the duo have agreed to co-parent their daughter together.
Shortly after his split with Dixon, Morant was romantically linked to a woman named Johanna Leia. The relationship was highly controversial, considering the pair’s enormous age gap. Leia was also an infamous ex-girlfriend of singer and rapper, Drake. It’s important to note that her son from a prior relationship is only several years younger than Morant. However, neither Morant nor Leia has confirmed the dating rumors.
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Ja Morant’s Legal Issues
Apparently, Morant’s controversies don’t stop with his relationships. In September 2022, the player found himself in hot waters after he was accused of punching a 17-year-old male during a basketball game. According to Morant, he only acted in self-defense and the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Unfortunately, the case wouldn’t stop following the rookie.
The following year, The Washington Post released a more detailed report of the incident. Based on reports, Morant went after the boy’s home with a gun tucked in his waistband. Another similar incident popped up, accusing him of confronting a security guard at a local mall and then flashing a gun at a nearby strip club during a social media live stream. However, Morant wasn’t officially charged for any of the reports.
Is Ja Morant Gay?
No, Ja Morant is not gay. He was in a public relationship with social medial influencer, KK Dixon, and together they share one daughter. Morant was also linked to other women, namely Johanna Leia, and has never been romantically involved with men. Based on these facts, it’s safe to assume that Morant identifies as straight.