Tee Morant, father of NBA star Ja Morant, disclosed on his podcast that he turned down a $750,000 offer from an agent seeking to represent his son. This decision was made to safeguard Ja Morant’s NCAA eligibility and preserve his basketball career at Murray State University before entering the NBA draft.
During a conversation about Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings with former NBA player Brandon Jennings, Tee Morant shared the pressures that surrounded Ja’s rise in college basketball. Jennings reflected on his own struggles raising funds while pursuing his basketball career overseas, emphasizing the challenges athletes face in navigating financial offers early on.
Turning Down Large Sums to Maintain Eligibility Risks
Tee Morant explained how multiple individuals offered substantial sums of money, attempting to recruit Ja by bypassing traditional channels.
“So it was people that were saying, ‘Okay, I’ll give you $500,000 to represent your son right now.’ He’s at Murray. My biggest fear was that I didn’t want to be the reason why Ja wasn’t eligible. No NIL then,”
he recounted.
He questioned the motives behind such offers, suspecting that agents aimed to profit significantly from his son’s future.
“But I said nah, I’m not going to do that because I’m thinking, okay, if you’re paying me $500,000, how much are you trying to make on my son on the back end? I told him no.” — Tee Morant, Father of Ja Morant
Despite a follow-up call increasing the offer to $750,000, Tee Morant remained steadfast.
“He called back like 30 minutes later, like, ‘Okay, $750,000.’ I’m like, ‘Nah, we’re gonna go through this process, as a group.’ Yeah. You know, so we never took anything. Never.”
Ja Morant’s Journey From College to NBA Stardom
Ja Morant, selected second overall in the 2019 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, quickly distinguished himself with exceptional athleticism and skill despite coming from Murray State University, which is less renowned in basketball circles. His main competition in the draft was Zion Williamson, who was regarded as a possible generational talent.
Morant’s impressive rookie season, averaging 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, earned him the NBA Rookie of the Year award, surpassing expectations and highlighting his rapid ascent in professional basketball.
The timing of Morant’s college career came before the full implementation of NIL compensation, which began rolling out in 2021 after legislation was passed in 2019. Prior to this, college athletes like Morant were prohibited from earning income from endorsements or their name and likeness, making NCAA eligibility rules especially strict and vulnerable.
Protecting a Promising Career Through Family Support and Sacrifice
Tee Morant’s refusal to accept money that could jeopardize Ja’s eligibility underscores the family’s commitment to trustworthy and patient guidance during critical stages of Ja’s development as a player. He stayed deeply involved, channeling all offers and communications through himself and the family to shield his son from risky pitfalls.
Had Tee accepted any financial offers, it could have triggered suspensions or recruitment restrictions, potentially ending Ja’s basketball journey before it fully began. Instead, the family chose to navigate all opportunities carefully and together.
Tee Morant’s sacrifices extend beyond financial decisions. He gave up pursuing a basketball career himself to support his family after Ja’s mother became pregnant. He worked as a barber to ensure stability, helping cultivate the close-knit environment in which Ja grew up.
This foundation of sacrifice and unity has played a critical role in shaping Ja Morant into the All-Star athlete he is today, demonstrating how vital parental support can be even amidst the pressures of modern sports careers.