JA MORANT quickly became an NBA star following his initial draft in 2019.
However, the Memphis Grizzlies' revealed they'd be putting the point guard on suspension for the next two games, and here's why.
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Why isn't Ja Morant playing for Memphis Grizzlies tonight?
Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant will be on leave for at least two games.
This decision comes after a post circulated of Morant brandishing a gun at a club on Saturday, March 4, 2023, during an Instagram Live.
The next day, Morant released a personal statement on the matter.
He said: "I take full responsibility for my actions last night. I'm sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organization for letting you down.
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"I'm going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being."
The team's head coach Taylor Jenkins confessed there wouldn't be a "definite timeline" on Morant's return.
Jenkins further touched on the topic, saying: "The focus right now is that Ja's taken on the responsibility to really get the help he needs to get into a better place, generally speaking, but also on the flip side, to be in a better place to embrace the responsibilities and expectations as a member of this team."
The NBA is currently investigating the issue. This isn't the first incident Morant has been involved in.
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In July 2022, Morant got into an altercation with a 17-year-old during a pickup game at Morant's house.
The teenager hit him with a ball and Morant allegedly started fighting the 17-year-old boy.
Morant allegedly went back to his house and returned with a firearm.
The NBA point guard told police he acted in self-defense due to the teenager allegedly threatening Morant to "come back and light this place up like fireworks."
A source told the New York Post that Morant's father, Tee, was “shocked” by the video, saying: “His father is really disappointed with the choices that his son has made lately, and the fact that his life choices led him to holding up a handgun is beyond stupid.
“Making it into the NBA is already like drawing a lottery ticket, so for him to fumble the bag is even more disappointing. He was raised in a two-family household and attended private school.
"So being a thug and trying to portray that lifestyle is the farthest thing from the truth when it comes to Ja’s upbringing … he was not raised that way.”
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How long has Ja Morant been playing for the Memphis Grizzlies?
Temetrius Jamel Morant, widely known as Ja Morant, was born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina.
Morant began playing basketball at Murray State.
During the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant was the Memphis Grizzlies' second overall pick signing a four-year contract with the team.
A year later, Morant was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
In 2022, Morant played his first NBA All-Star Game where he later won the NBA Most Improved Player Award at the end of the season.
What is Ja Morant's net worth?
According to CAknowledge, Ja Morant makes a reported net worth of $80million.
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His net worth comes from the initial four-year contract which was $39million upon signing coupled with his endorsement with Nike.
After his current season, Ja Morant was set to begin his five-year contract which was a $194.3million deal.
