No. Ja Morant does not have lung cancer. This is a completely untrue rumor that began in January of 2026 that went viral across social media. It began from a faked screenshot of a made up tweet and fact checkers as well as other credible sources have stated that the Memphis Grizzlies guard does not have lung cancer, and has never been diagnosed with cancer at any point. The spread of this hoax was sparked by a fake video uploaded to a TikTok account named “Templex” and spread like wildfire amongst many fans who fell for it, causing some unneeded fear. Ja Morant is healthy at the moment and is only suffering a left UCL elbow sprain.
Who Is Ja Morant?
Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The league’s leading force of superhuman athleticism, pinpoint passing, and aggressive determination has rapidly become one of the poster-children for the future of the NBA ever since being drafted second overall in 2019; he is the first player ever in NBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player awards.
Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Temetrius Jamel Morant |
| Nickname | Ja Morant |
| Age | 26 years (born August 10, 1999) |
| Date of Birth | August 10, 1999 |
| Birth Place | Dalzell, South Carolina, USA |
| Birth Sign | Leo |
| Hometown | Dalzell, South Carolina |
| Residence | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player (NBA) |
| Current Team | Memphis Grizzlies (PG, #12) |
| Cast/Ethnicity | African American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Fame | NBA All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player |
| NBA Draft | 2019, 2nd overall pick by Memphis Grizzlies |
Physical Statistics
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
- Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg)
- Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
- Vertical Leap: 44 inches
Physical Statistics: Does Ja Morant Have Lung Cancer?
| Health Fact | Reality |
| Lung Cancer Diagnosis | False – No diagnosis exists |
| Cancer of Any Type | False – No cancer diagnosis confirmed |
| Current Health Status | Healthy – Only dealing with elbow injury |
| Actual Injury | Left elbow UCL sprain (as of January 2026) |
| Official Team Statement | Grizzlies confirmed full recovery expected |
| Source of Rumor | Doctored/fake tweet screenshot |
School and College Career
High School
- Attended high school in South Carolina where his father Tee Morant also played
- Developed strong basketball fundamentals early in life
College: Murray State University (2017-2019)
- Historic Achievement: First player in NCAA Division I history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists per game in a season
- Stats: Averaged 20+ points and 10+ assists per game
- Impact: Rewrote NCAA history books with unprecedented performance
- Recognition: Massive draft prospect after standout college career
- NBA Draft: Selected 2nd overall by Memphis Grizzlies in 2019
Career Rise to Fame
Morant was thrown into the NBA immediately. Drafted second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019, he instantly injected new life into a team making the move past its celebrated “Grit and Grind” era. His ferocious poster dunks and up-tempo transition play earned him the eye of fans all over the world and turned the small-market Grizzlies into a consistent playoff contender in the West.
Ja Morant’s rise to fame was rapid and remarkable:
- 2019 NBA Draft: Selected 2nd overall by Memphis Grizzlies
- Rookie Season (2019-20): Won NBA Rookie of the Year award
- 2021-22 Season: Named NBA Most Improved Player after averaging 27.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game
- Historic First: First player ever to win both Rookie of the Year AND Most Improved Player
- All-Star Selections: Multiple NBA All-Star (2022, 2023)
- Playing Style: Known for explosive dunks, incredible athleticism, and court vision
- Team Leadership: Became central figure in Grizzlies’ game plan
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 1999 | Born August 10 in Dalzell, South Carolina |
| 2017-2019 | College basketball at Murray State University |
| 2019 | Drafted 2nd overall by Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2019-20 | NBA Rookie of the Year |
| 2020-21 | First All-Star selection |
| 2021-22 | NBA Most Improved Player; All-Star starter |
| 2022-23 | Second All-Star selection |
| 2023 | Suspensions due to social media incidents (gun videos) |
| 2024-25 | Continued as Grizzlies franchise player |
| 2025 | Earned $36.8 million salary |
| 2026 | Left elbow UCL sprain; lung cancer rumors debunked |
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year | Significance |
| NBA Rookie of the Year | 2020 | First major NBA award |
| NBA Most Improved Player | 2022 | First player to win both ROY & MIP |
| NBA All-Star | 2022, 2023 | Two-time All-Star selection |
| All-Star Starter | 2022 | Selected as starting guard |
| NBA Reserves | 2023 | Selected as All-Star reserve |
Historic Achievement: Ja Morant is the first player in NBA history to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player awards.
Personal Life
- Daughter: Kari Jaden Morant (born 2019)
- Relationship: Ja Morant is a devoted father, often called “the best dad ever”
- Faith: Christian, frequently references God in interviews
- Social Media: Known for deactivating social media accounts at times; has expressed “hatred of social media” despite fame
- Controversies: Twice suspended for brandishing firearms on social media (2023)
- Recovery Focus: Currently focused on healing from elbow injury and staying mentally strong
Family Details
| Family Member | Name | Details |
| Father | Tee Morant (Temetrius Morant Sr.) | Former basketball player; played high school in South Carolina with Ray Allen |
| Mother | Jamie Morant | Supportive mother throughout Ja’s career |
| Daughter | Kari Jaden Morant | Born 2019; Ja is very involved as a father |
| Legal Full Name | Temetrius Jamel Morant | His complete legal name |
Net Worth
As of 2026, Ja Morant’s estimated net worth sits between $50 million and $60 million. This wealth has scaled rapidly due to his maximum contract status and highly lucrative corporate partnerships.
Income Source
The main source of revenue for Morant is derived from his current five year, $197 million dollar maximum contract with the NBA (Memphis Grizzlies). While he does earn revenue from his career as a basketball player, his significant endorsement money-most of which comes from his signature shoe collection with Nike, as well as other big brands like Powerade-generates large amounts of income.
Social Media Presence
Ja Morant commands a massive digital audience, utilizing his accounts to interact directly with his fan base:
- Instagram: @jamorant — Millions of followers, focusing on game highlights, family, and sneaker drops.
- X (Twitter): @JaMorant — Real-time updates, personal thoughts, and reactions to basketball trends.
Hidden Facts About Ja Morant
- Left-Hand Dominance: A childhood accident shaped his dominant left-hand gameplay
- Hand Size: Ja Morant has notably large hands for his size, giving him exceptional ball control
- First to Win Both Awards: Only player in NBA history to win both Rookie of the Year AND Most Improved Player
- Signature Shoe: His JA 1 shoe includes built-in trivia questions on the design
- Father’s Connection: His father Tee Morant went to high school with NBA legend Ray Allen
- NCAA History: First Division I player to average 20+ points and 10+ assists in a season
- Social Media Contradiction: Despite fame, he “hates social media” and has deactivated accounts
- Fatherhood: Became a father at age 20 (daughter born 2019)
- Athleticism: One of the most athletic players in NBA history with gravity-defying dunks
- Lung Cancer Hoax: Subject of one of the most widespread fake health rumors in recent sports history
Conclusion
Ja Morant is NOT diagnosed with lung cancer. This is completely fake news which was proven false and debunked by multiple fact checkers, sports news organizations and officials. The picture of the fake tweet that circulated on social media and went viral was Photoshopped and did not come from his official social media accounts.
Ja Morant IS healthy and is currently recovering from a legitimate injury that he sustained, and that is a left elbow UCL sprain, which the Grizzlies say he will recover from 100% from. He is one of the most promising young stars in the NBA, already a two-time All-Star and the first player ever to win Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player.
This is a lesson about the dangers of online media, fake news, and celebrities’ personal health information. Fans must always double check all social media accounts or credible news sources before believing fake tweets or claims on social media sites about celebrity health.
Ja Morant will continue to develop and his career is expected to be long and successful in Memphis and across the league as he has a great deal to look forward to. The rumors about lung cancer are 100% untrue; there has been NO doctor visit, NO team statement and NO credible news story to suggest that Ja has lung cancer.
FAQs
What injury did Ja Morant sustain in 2026?
Ja Morant was shut down for the remainder of the 2025–26 NBA season due to a severe left elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) sprain.
Has any official source reported that Ja Morant has cancer?
No. There are absolutely no medical reports, team statements.
What is Ja Morant’s current contract value?
Ja Morant is playing under a massive 5-year, $197.2 million designated rookie maximum contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies.
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