Tee Morant is a former college basketball player from Memphis Tennessee. Tee became famous as the father of NBA player Ja Morant.
Ja currently plays as a point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
As a former basketball player, Tee deeply understood what it takes to become an exceptional athlete.
Having played basketball for Hillcrest High School and Claflin University during his academic tenure, he is well-versed in the game’s nuances.
Tee is an ardent supporter of Ja but also a harsh critic. He is always in the front seat during Ja’s games, keeping a close tab on his performances.
In January 2023, Morant got into a vocal argument with former NFL standout Shannon Sharpe during an NBA game between the Grizzlers and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Did Tee Morant Make Into The NBA?
Tee Morant did not play in the National Basketball Association. Tee had signed up for the 1998 Draft but withdrew it.
Following a promising college career at Claflin University, he was set to chart his course into the NBA. He even played in several training camps and represented the United States in international tournaments.
Every young player’s dream is to make it to the NBA, and Tee also had all plans sorted out to embark on his career in the league. However, the South Carolina native withdrew his name from the NBA Draft when he heard his wife was pregnant with Ja.
Afterward, Tee became more involved with his family, helping his partner and supporting his loved ones. He left his athletic career and started a local business.
Unable to achieve all that he had hoped in his career, Tee dedicated himself to endowing his son, Ja, with his competitive pedigree while safeguarding him against the negative tendencies that had hindered Tee’s success.
However, Tee never praised or encouraged him, even when he played his absolute best. Instead, he always criticizes his son and never lets him become pleased with mediocrity.
Meanwhile, Morant attributes his success to his father’s criticism, which kept him humble and motivated to improve his game. Despite his father’s teasing, Morant has become an NBA superstar.
On the other hand, Tee has established himself as a celebrity in his own right. His aggressive post-match analysis, banter, and involvement off the field made him quite popular among internet people.
Moreover, Morant is very vocal on Twitter and has 3.7K followers, whereas his popularity on Instagram is even higher, with an impressive 36.5K followers.
Tee Morant High School Career
Morant had a stint at Hillcrest High School where he played basketball with former Boston Celtics star Ray Allen.
Born in 1978 in Memphis, Tennessee, Tee was born in a Christian household. His parents, Mr. Morant and Saundra Dawson raised him in the city with his brother.
Tee’s dad was a local entrepreneur, while his sibling is a medical personnel who worked at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, South Carolina.
After completing his elementary education, Tee attended Hillcrest High in Dalzell. He played amateur basketball at Hillcrest for two years alongside Allen.
Tee had a close relationship with Ray, both extremely talented basketball prodigies in the early 90s. He then joined Claflin University and played in NCAA leagues for four seasons while Ray attended the University of Connecticut.
After a successful career at UConn, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Allen in the first round of the 1996 NBA Draft. At the same time, Tee cut short his career, missing out on the draft when he found out he would soon be a father.
Tee Morant Net Worth 2023
Morant is a retired professional basketball player with a net worth of $5 million. Tee played in the high school and college.
Despite not having an opportunity to play in one of the world’s most expensive sports league franchises, the NBA, Tee has accumulated a staggering amount of money from his other endeavors.
He was in his early 20s when he finished his academics at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Upon finding his wife was pregnant with his son Ja, Tee gave up on his athletic dream and never played in the league.
To support his family, he opened a barber shop near his residence. Later, he ventured into his father’s business, which witnessed a substantial increase in income and revenue, exponentially enhancing his net worth.
Besides, Tee has also ventured into coaching, serving as a local junior basketball team coach.