Tee Morant is the father of NBA star Ja Morant, and they often discuss their mutual passion for basketball together. Additionally, they engage in playful banter between each other as well as discuss music they both like.
The Grizzlies have taken steps within their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to address Morant’s off-court behavior, but some team employees say these measures do not go far enough.
He is a jack of all trades
Tee Morant age is both an entrepreneur and social media personality; as well as being Ja Morant’s father. A member of Memphis Grizzlies basketball team, he often attends Ja’s games at FedEx Forum or elsewhere while participating in postgame interviews and shootarounds.
Recent accusations against him included taking his son to seedier establishments and strip clubs in Memphis when they had games the following day, particularly on nights before games started. Murray State star and friends would allegedly drink heavily, footing the bill themselves before occasionally showing up late or hungover to team meetings.
Tee Morant appeared on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast to defend his son Ja and critics who are critical of being around his family. Additionally, Tee noted that there are plenty of point guards stronger than Ja who he doesn’t want to face; thus giving his team hope that Morant can stay focused once his suspension ends and focus on playing basketball once he returns from it.
He is a father
As anyone can attest, watching someone make poor choices can be heartbreaking – but watching one of your own children make those same choices adds another level of pain and grief.
Tee Morant has always been present at his son Ja’s games and been an invaluable source of support, yet has recently come under scrutiny for encouraging bad decisions by Ja.
One Grizzlies team member claimed Tee was using Ja’s NBA success as an opportunity to “live like a celebrity,” leading him into personal difficulties off the court. But criticizing someone’s parenting style that you don’t agree with would be unfair; Tee has made sacrifices for his son such as sitting next to Usher (whom he resembles) for Game 5 of Grizzlies-Wolves playoff series this year and challenging Karl Towns Sr. to a bet over which jersey Ja would wear: his or KAT’s.
He is a social media personality
Tee Morant has felt this pain as his son Ja has made more and more embarrassing choices both on and off the court, including on-court behaviors that embarrass himself as well as off-court controversies that plague his son’s behavior.
Morant made headlines this season for his May Instagram Live video in which he flashed a gun, marking two such incidents this season alone. Additionally, he is being charged with striking a high school player during a pickup basketball game last summer and faces civil legal proceedings over that incident.
Memphis business owners adore charismatic Morant but are concerned by his reckless behavior. Multiple times they have asked him to slow down and stay out of trouble but he refuses to listen and as a result his reputation is taking a hit – not ideal for an upstanding young basketball player who seeks to change narratives of Black men as violent thugs.
He is a basketball player
Morant has established himself as one of the top players in the NBA through his candid analysis and engaging interactions, earning a loyal fan base – even engaging in friendly wagering with Karl Anthony Towns Sr. during Grizzlies playoff series win against Timberwolves!
At present, Ja is also managing a few local investments and working as a barber. He often appears on the sidelines at Grizzlies games and has amassed an enormous fan base through his interactions with players and coaches. Ja has come under his father’s criticism on occasion but this tough love approach has helped his son reach new heights of basketball success.
Tee Morant has faced criticism for his off-court conduct this season, most notably for flashing guns on two live Instagram streams in March and May – for which he was suspended 25 games this season and has since apologized profusely to both his teammates and Sharpe. Yet, regardless of this incident, Tee Morant remains friendly towards both individuals.