Jamie Morant Was an Athlete & Had a Hand in Son Ja Morant's Mantra

Former basketball player Jamie Morant motivates her son, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, to be all he can be. And that is a billionaire.

Jamie Morant came up for Ja Morant when her husband Tee Morant was too hard on him during their early backyard training sessions, and she still looks out for her son's wellbeing.

The Generation X mother of two serves as an informal social media advisor for her GenZ child, who comes in second only to Stephen Curry regarding fan engagement across NBA online platforms.

Jamie Morant Received Her Bachelor's Degree in Biology

Jamie Smalley was part of the graduating class of 1994 at Harlem High School. She was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Claflin College in 1999, but it is not known how she utilizes this impressive qualification.

She is a double threat in sports, with an aptitude for softball and basketball, a natural athleticism that she passed on to her progeny.

The year she graduated college, she and her husband, Tee Morant, had their first child, Ja, who grew up to be a 6' 3" NBA superstar. Tee gave up on his NBA dream when his son was born and gave him the guidance and training to surpass him.

The Morants had their daughter, Teniya "Niya" Morant, a few years later. Niya also hopes to become a professional basketball player.

Jamie's mother, Linda Gail Smalley, lovingly known as Mama Lin, has a strong presence in her life. She thanked her mom in July 2016 for her "spiritual guidance and unconditional love."

Mama Lin's prayers and encouragement had a lasting impact on her grandson Ja who said that he always turns to his granny when he feels "like the Devil is trying to attack" him. She counseled Jamie to pray for Ja and provided scripture during the rocky start to his career.

Jamie Morant Knew Her Son's Future When He Was in Her Belly

While he was in the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida, Ja Morant brought joy to his mother in Sumter, South Carolina, in the form of a white Audi A8 L with a tan leather interior. He shared the clip of Jamie's first reaction to the gift, overlaid with the text, "I love you, my queen."

But then, she always knew that her son would be extraordinary. Months earlier, Tee said in a profile on their son's upbringing:

"My wife will tell you she knew Ja was going to be great when he was in her belly. She actually said that. I guess that's that woman's intuition. But, at the same time, you second-guessing her now?"

Unfortunately, with the incredible perks of having a son in the NBA comes some nastiness. At a May 2021 game, Jamie was sexually harassed by a supporter from the opposing squad, the Utah Jazz. Tee confronted the guy, who was promptly removed and banned from the stadium.

At the end of the season, the Jame and Ja started a mantra, "Be a billionaire by 30."

During the same game, the couple experienced racist remarks from two other Utah Jazz fans, who also got the boot. Ja said in a tweet after the game that his parents "fell in love" with the other Jazz fans with who they could playfully trash talk.

Jamie Gives Helpful Social Media Advice to Her Son

Per the NBA, the GenZ athlete's digital highlights have over 351 million views across all platforms, right behind Stephen Curry, who tops at 485 million views.

The young Grizzlies player gives credit to his mother, Jamie, for keeping him in line on social media, though occasionally Jamie would give her son "the go-ahead" to react to his trolls.

Ja admits that sometimes he would hit back at his online detractors without consulting with his mom first, only to have her say, "Nope, delete it." At the end of the season, the Jame and Ja started saying a mantra, "Be a billionaire by 30."

As the first GenZ athlete to sign a multi-million dollar contract with Nike, this does not seem like an impossible goal for a 23-year-old. The only other NBA players who have reached billionaire status so far are Michael Jordan and LeBron James.