Ja Morant’s Mother Conquers Stage 4 Breast Cancer, Ignites His Fire: “Her Fight’s My Fuel—Gotta Be Great for Her and Kaari!

Ja Morant’s Mother Conquers Stage 4 Breast Cancer, Ignites His Fire: “Her Fight’s My Fuel—Gotta Be Great for Her and Kaari!

 

Ja Morant’s Mother Conquers Stage 4 Breast Cancer, Ignites His Fire: “Her Fight’s My Fuel—Gotta Be Great for Her and Kaari!”

In a moment that left Memphis in tears and the NBA community in awe, Ja Morant revealed the deeply personal battle that has been fueling his resurgence both on and off the court — his mother’s miraculous victory over Stage 4 breast cancer.

“I watched her fight for her life every single day,” Morant said, voice heavy with emotion during a post-game press conference. “Now I’ve got no excuse. Her fight’s my fuel. I gotta be great — for her and Kaari.”

The announcement came just hours after Morant dropped 38 points and led the Memphis Grizzlies to a dramatic win over the Golden State Warriors. But it wasn’t the stat line that dominated headlines — it was the story behind the jersey. A story of survival, strength, and the unshakable bond between a mother and son.

“She Never Gave Up — So I Can’t Either”

Ja’s mother, Jamie Morant, had been battling breast cancer privately for nearly two years. It was Stage 4 — advanced, aggressive, and terrifying. Yet through it all, the family kept the diagnosis under wraps, focusing instead on faith, treatment, and love.

“She didn’t want sympathy,” Morant shared. “She wanted strength around her. She said, ‘You go do your job, Ja. I’ll do mine.’”

Jamie underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, all while remaining a steady presence in her son’s life — attending games when she could, FaceTiming from hospital beds, and sending daily motivational texts that Ja says became his “mental pregame.”

“She told me, ‘Win the day. No matter how bad it looks, win today.’ That changed everything.”

A Family Reborn

The good news came earlier this month: Jamie is officially in remission. Surrounded by her family, including Ja, KK Dixon, and her granddaughter Kaari, she rang the cancer center’s ceremonial bell to a chorus of cheers and tears. That moment, according to Morant, changed him forever.

“When she rang that bell, it was like she passed the torch. She fought the hardest battle of her life and won. Now it’s on me to carry that strength and make it count — on the court, as a father, as a man.”

Kaari, now 5 years old, was by her grandmother’s side during the ceremony — clutching her hand, wearing a pink ribbon in her hair, and smiling up at the woman she now calls her “superhero.”

Memphis Celebrates a Warrior

News of Jamie’s triumph spread quickly through the city of Memphis, where the Morant family has become beloved beyond basketball. Within hours, a mural was commissioned featuring Jamie in a cape beside Ja and Kaari, with the words “Strength Runs in the Family” emblazoned across the top.

The Grizzlies honored Jamie during halftime of their next home game, presenting her with a framed jersey that read “MAMA M” and featured the number “4” — a nod to her Stage 4 battle.

Fans chanted “MAMA MORANT!” in unison as she took center court, her hand over her heart and tears in her eyes.

“This city has stood by us,” Jamie said. “Now I get to stand again because of faith, family, and fight.”