Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Orlando Bloom
Ja Morant comes from a close and highly athletic family that played a major role in turning him from an overlooked basketball prospect in South Carolina into an NBA superstar. Born Temetrius Jamel Morant on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina, he is the son of Tee Morant and Jamie Morant.
Basketball was deeply connected to Morant’s upbringing. His father was a former college basketball player who became his primary trainer, while his mother had an athletic background of her own. Ja also grew up alongside his younger sister, Teniya Morant, who followed him into competitive basketball. Away from the court, Morant is the father of a daughter, Kaari Jaidyn Morant, whom he shares with former partner Kadre “KK” Dixon.
Who Is Ja Morant’s Girlfriend?
Ja Morant does not currently have a publicly confirmed girlfriend.
Although the Portland Trail Blazers guard has been connected to different women through online rumors over the years, reliable recent reporting has not established an official romantic relationship.
Morant has generally kept his dating life more private as his NBA career has progressed. For that reason, claims identifying a current girlfriend should be treated cautiously unless Morant himself or a reliable publication confirms the relationship.
The best-known relationship from his personal life remains his previous romance with Kadre “KK” Dixon, the mother of his daughter Kaari.
Who Is Ja Morant’s Ex-Girlfriend KK Dixon?
Kadre “KK” Dixon is Ja Morant’s former partner and the mother of his only publicly confirmed child.
The two were together before Morant became one of the NBA’s biggest young stars and publicly shared parts of their relationship during the early stages of his professional career.
They welcomed their daughter, Kaari Jaidyn Morant, in August 2019.
Morant and Dixon later ended their romantic relationship, but both have continued to be publicly associated with raising their daughter.
KK Dixon has built an identity of her own away from Morant, including entrepreneurial and creative projects, while Kaari frequently appears in family-related content.
As of now, Dixon should be described as Morant’s former partner rather than his current girlfriend.
Is Ja Morant Married?
Ja Morant is not publicly known to be married.
There has been no reliable announcement that Morant has a wife, and his relationship with KK Dixon did not result in a publicly confirmed marriage.
As of now, Morant’s current romantic status remains private.
Does Ja Morant Have Children?
Yes. Ja Morant has one publicly confirmed child, a daughter named Kaari Jaidyn Morant.
Kaari was born on August 7, 2019, to Morant and KK Dixon.
Kaari Jaidyn Morant
Kaari Jaidyn Morant is Ja Morant’s daughter and one of the most recognizable members of his family.
She was born shortly before the beginning of Morant’s rookie NBA season. Kaari arrived prematurely, making the period surrounding her birth particularly emotional for her parents.
As she has grown older, Kaari has regularly been seen supporting her father at basketball games.
She became especially popular among NBA fans through her courtside appearances, celebrations and interactions with Ja following Memphis Grizzlies games.
Morant has repeatedly spoken about the importance of his daughter and has described her as one of his greatest motivations.
During difficult periods in his professional career, his role as Kaari’s father has remained an important part of his public identity.
Kaari has also developed a public following of her own through social media managed around her family life, fashion, celebrations and activities.
Does Ja Morant Have a Son?
There is no publicly confirmed evidence that Ja Morant has a son.
Kaari Jaidyn remains his only child confirmed by reliable public sources. Claims on social media regarding additional children should therefore not be presented as fact without stronger evidence.
Who Are Ja Morant’s Parents?
Ja Morant’s parents are Tee Morant and Jamie Morant.
Both had sporting backgrounds, and together they created the competitive environment that helped their son develop into an elite basketball player.
Tee became particularly important to Ja’s basketball development, while Jamie provided emotional support and helped shape the confidence and mentality for which her son later became known.
Ja Morant’s Father: Tee Morant
Ja Morant’s father is Tee Morant, a former basketball player who became his son’s trainer and one of the most visible NBA parents.
Tee grew up in South Carolina and played high-school basketball alongside future NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen at Hillcrest High School.
He later played college basketball at Claflin University, an historically Black university in South Carolina.
Tee had aspirations of continuing his own basketball career, but his priorities changed after starting a family. He eventually worked as a barber while dedicating substantial time to developing Ja’s basketball skills.
How Tee Morant Trained Ja Morant
Tee Morant became Ja’s primary basketball trainer during his childhood.
Instead of relying solely on organized youth programs, father and son spent countless hours working in the backyard of the family home in South Carolina.
Tee helped Ja develop ball-handling, shooting, finishing and athleticism. Their training sessions became known for being demanding and creative.
One of the best-known stories from Morant’s childhood involves the use of large tractor tires during jumping exercises. Those unconventional workouts helped strengthen the explosiveness that would later become one of Ja’s defining NBA characteristics.
Tee also made his son compete against older and physically stronger players rather than protecting him from difficult competition.
Those experiences contributed to the fearless playing style Morant eventually displayed in college and the NBA.
Tee Morant’s Courtside Presence
After Ja reached the NBA, Tee became one of the league’s most recognizable fathers.
He frequently attended his son’s games and became known for sitting near the court, celebrating major plays and interacting with players and fans.
Despite the attention he receives, Tee’s involvement in Ja’s career began many years before NBA fame. His biggest contribution came during the countless private training sessions when his son was still an overlooked young prospect.
Ja Morant’s Mother: Jamie Morant
Ja Morant’s mother is Jamie Morant.
Jamie also had an athletic background. She played point guard during her high-school years and later competed in softball in college.
Her experience as an athlete meant that both of Ja’s parents understood competition and the work required to improve.
While Tee became more publicly associated with Ja’s basketball training, Jamie played an equally important role in creating his confidence and supporting him emotionally.
“Beneath No One” and Jamie Morant’s Influence
One of the most famous examples of Jamie Morant’s influence on her son is the phrase “Beneath No One.”
The message came from advice Jamie gave Ja while he was growing up.
Morant eventually had the words tattooed on his body, turning his mother’s advice into a permanent reminder of the confidence she encouraged him to maintain.
The phrase became particularly appropriate for Morant because he was repeatedly overlooked during his early basketball career.
He was not considered one of the country’s elite high-school prospects and received relatively limited recruiting attention before Murray State discovered him.
Jamie’s message helped reinforce the belief that being overlooked did not mean he was inferior to more highly recruited players.
How Ja Morant’s Parents Helped Him Reach the NBA
Ja Morant’s path to professional basketball was very different from that of many NBA lottery picks.
He was not a nationally famous high-school player and was not heavily featured in major recruiting rankings.
His parents nevertheless continued supporting his development.
Tee provided basketball training, while Jamie helped reinforce the confidence and discipline that allowed Ja to continue believing in himself when major college programs were not paying attention.
Morant eventually received an opportunity from Murray State University.
After two seasons with the Racers, he had transformed himself into one of college basketball’s biggest stars.
His sophomore season made him a consensus All-American and one of the top prospects in the 2019 NBA Draft.
The Memphis Grizzlies selected Morant with the second overall pick, completing a remarkable journey for a player who had once been largely overlooked by major college programs.
Who Are Ja Morant’s Siblings?
Ja Morant has one publicly documented sibling, his younger sister Teniya Morant.
Teniya grew up in the same basketball-focused household as Ja and also developed a love for the sport.
Teniya Morant
Teniya Morant, often known as Niya, is Ja Morant’s younger sister.
Like her older brother, Teniya trained under the guidance of their father.
The siblings spent years playing basketball together around the family home, giving Teniya the opportunity to compete against an older brother who would eventually become an NBA All-Star.
She later developed into a competitive guard herself.
Teniya Morant’s Basketball Career
Teniya played high-school basketball in Tennessee before joining Mississippi Valley State University.
She was listed as a guard for the Devilettes and appeared in three games during the 2024-25 college season.
After that season, Teniya entered the transfer portal.
She was subsequently reported on Ranger College’s 2025-26 women’s basketball roster in Texas, continuing her basketball journey at the junior-college level.
Although she has naturally received additional attention because of her famous brother, Teniya has pursued her own path within the sport.
Ja Morant and His Sister’s Relationship
Ja and Teniya Morant share a relationship built around both family and basketball.
Because Teniya grew up watching Ja train with their father, basketball became a shared activity rather than simply her brother’s career.
Tee reportedly trained both children and encouraged Teniya to develop the same competitiveness that helped Ja succeed.
Morant has also supported his sister’s basketball career.
His family’s connection to Mississippi Valley State continued even after Teniya left the program. In 2026, Ja and his mother Jamie were publicly thanked for providing the women’s basketball team with new uniforms and multiple colorways of Morant’s Nike signature shoes.
The gesture demonstrated that the family’s relationship with the program extended beyond Teniya’s time on the roster.
The Athletic Background of the Morant Family
Athletic ability runs throughout Ja Morant’s immediate family.
His father played college basketball, his mother played basketball and college softball, Ja became an NBA star and Teniya pursued college basketball.
However, the family’s biggest influence may have come from its competitive culture rather than simply genetics.
Ja has described an upbringing in which hard work and confidence were expected.
His father repeatedly challenged him physically on the basketball court, while his mother reinforced the belief that he should never view himself as being beneath another player.
That combination helped create the aggressive and fearless playing style that eventually made Morant famous.
Ja Morant’s Family and His Move to Portland
Morant spent the first seven seasons of his NBA career associated with the Memphis Grizzlies organization before joining the Portland Trail Blazers in 2026.
The move represented a major change professionally, but the importance of his family remained unchanged.
His parents have been closely connected to his NBA journey from the beginning, while his daughter Kaari remains one of the most important people in his personal life.
Wherever Morant’s basketball career takes him, his family continues to be closely tied to the story of how he reached the NBA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ja Morant’s Family
Who is Ja Morant’s girlfriend?
Ja Morant does not currently have a publicly confirmed girlfriend. His best-known former partner is Kadre “KK” Dixon, the mother of his daughter Kaari.
Is Ja Morant married?
No marriage has been publicly confirmed. As of now, Ja Morant is not publicly known to have a wife.
Who is KK Dixon?
Kadre “KK” Dixon is Ja Morant’s former girlfriend and the mother of his daughter, Kaari Jaidyn Morant.
How many children does Ja Morant have?
Ja Morant has one publicly confirmed child, his daughter Kaari Jaidyn Morant.
Who is Ja Morant’s daughter?
Ja Morant’s daughter is Kaari Jaidyn Morant, born on August 7, 2019. Her mother is KK Dixon.
Does Ja Morant have a son?
No son has been reliably confirmed publicly. Kaari remains Morant’s only publicly documented child.
Who are Ja Morant’s parents?
Ja Morant’s parents are Tee Morant and Jamie Morant.
Who is Ja Morant’s father?
Ja Morant’s father is Tee Morant, a former Claflin University basketball player who trained Ja extensively throughout his childhood.
Who is Ja Morant’s mother?
Ja Morant’s mother is Jamie Morant, a former high-school point guard and college softball player who has remained one of her son’s strongest supporters.
Did Ja Morant’s father play basketball?
Yes. Tee Morant played high-school basketball with future NBA star Ray Allen before playing collegiately at Claflin University.
Does Ja Morant have a sister?
Yes. Ja Morant’s younger sister is Teniya “Niya” Morant.
Who is Teniya Morant?
Teniya Morant is Ja Morant’s younger sister and a basketball player. She played at Mississippi Valley State before later being listed with Ranger College.
Does Ja Morant have a brother?
No brother has been identified in reliable profiles of Morant’s immediate family. His only publicly documented sibling is his younger sister Teniya.
Are Ja Morant’s parents still involved in his career?
Yes. Tee and Jamie Morant have remained visible supporters throughout their son’s professional career, with Tee frequently attending games and both parents maintaining close ties to basketball and family activities.
Orlando Bloom is a sports journalist and analyst specializing in in-depth NBA coverage, tactical breakdowns, and advanced player analytics. With a passion for professional basketball, he covers everything from trade deadline maneuvers and Draft prospects to team strategies and league-wide trends. Combining detailed stat analysis with game context, Orlando delivers sharp insights and compelling stories for avid basketball fans and casual followers alike.
