Born on October 8, 1999 in Dalzell, South Carolina, Temetrius Jamel "Ja" Morant played competitive basketball from a young age, though he never received the recognition he deserved. Morant played for the Carolina Hornets in the AAU league alongside Zion Williamson, the eventual first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. To put it lightly, Ja Morant was far from heavily recruited and only received a few Division I scholarships, ultimately attending Murray State University.
At Murray State, Ja Morant created noise around the country with his scoring prowess and passing ability. He ranks among the Murray State Racers' all-time leaders in multiple categories. As a sophomore in his final season at Murray State, Ja Morant became the first player in Division I history to average 20 points and 10 assists per contest since the 1983-84 season when the NCAA started recording assist totals.
After forgoing his final two years of eligibility at Murray State, Ja Morant declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. The Memphis Grizzlies selected Morant as the 2nd overall pick, right behind his former AAU teammate, Zion Williamson. Since making his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, Ja Morant has been sensational, starting all 139 games and becoming an invaluable asset to the Memphis Grizzlies backcourt.
As a 2019-20 All-Rookie Team member and the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant proves he belongs and can compete at the highest level. Through his first two-plus seasons, Ja Morant is already the face of the franchise, and his rookie cards are of particular interest to basketball card collectors. On that note, let's review the top 13 best Ja Morant rookie cards.
#13
2019 Panini Contenders Optic Ja Morant Red Wave Autograph RC #106
Recent sale: $2,400
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Ja Morant competed at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina. After earning a spot on the varsity team in his sophomore year, Morant quickly blossomed, averaging 27 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists throughout his junior and senior years. Morant was nominated three times for both the South Carolina All-State Team and All-Region MVP.
Panini released its 2019-20 Contenders Optic hobby set on September 23, 2020. A hobby box provides collectors six cards containing one autograph, four inserts, and one base card. Panini also issued T-Mall edition boxes, circulating one autograph, two T-Mall parallels, and one rookie T-mall card. The highlight of the T-Mall edition is the exclusive Rookie Ticket, Gold Wave, and Red Wave parallel cards. Ja Morant's Red Wave autograph rookie card is a T-Mall exclusive, featuring a current PSA population of four.
While Morant's 2019-20 Contenders Optic Red Wave autographed rookie card isn't serial-numbered, it remains highly limited, illustrated by just four graded cards. Before departing for Murray State University, he left as Crestwood High School's all-time leading scorer accumulating 1,679 points, beginning the legacy of Ja Morant and the inherent rage for his rookie cards.
#12
2019 Panini Contenders Ja Morant Rookie Season Ticket Stub RC #118 #'d/19
Recent sale: $3,000
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After leaving a mark on Crestwood High School, Ja Morant continued his journey at Murray State University. Morant started every game as a freshman for the Murray State Racers, guiding the team to a 26-6 record, including 16-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference. In the 2017-18 season, Morant played 34 minutes per game, averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. The Racers' won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament and received a bid to the 2018 NCAA Tournament. After his successful rookie season at Murray State, Morant achieved the All-OVC first-team and All-Newcomer team.
Issued on January 3, 2020, the 2019-20 Panini Contenders set featured 10 packs of five cards per hobby box. The highlight of the set is the two autographed cards in each hobby box. As part of the Rookie Season Ticket Stub checklist, Morant's' 2019 Panini Contenders rookie card is serial-numbered to 19. Morant's Rookie Season Ticket Stub rookie card has a PSA population of 11 and a BGS population of 13. As only two cards received a PSA or BGS 10, Morant's rookie card earned the ultimate grade at an 8% clip.
After putting himself on the map in his rookie season at Murray State University, collectors took notice. As this particular sale is for a PSA 9, one can only imagine the value of a Ja Morant PSA 10 rookie card on the secondary market.
#11
2019 Panini One and One Ja Morant Downtown RC #16
Recent sale: $4,300
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After finishing his rookie season at Murray State with 201 assists (16th in the nation), and a 2.62 assist/turnover ratio (40th in the nation), Morant headed into his highly anticipated sophomore campaign. To illustrate Morant's incredible sophomore season, he had 15 games in the 2018-19 college basketball season totaling 20+ points and 10+ assists. After recording 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game as a sophomore, Morant became a household name. Morant ranked 1st in the nation in assists (331), 8th in the country in points (808), and ninth in double-doubles (20). Morant's 331 assists are the 6th most in a single season in college basketball history.
On November 25, 2020, the 2019-20 Panini One and One set made its basketball debut. The One and One set provided collectors a One-Touch case featuring one pack of two cards, including one autograph and one base card, including the potential for an insert or parallel. Morant's Downtown rookie card from 2019-20 Panini One and One is an insert card, displaying a current population of 39 across PSA and BGS. Of Morant's 39 Downtown rookie cards, 16 cards, roughly 41% have earned a PSA or BGS 10.
Morant had one of the most remarkable seasons at Murray State University and in college basketball history during the 2018-19 college basketball season. As Morant accomplished the 6th most assists in college basketball history, sports fans and collectors immediately tuned in.
#10
2019 Panini Select Ja Morant In Flight Signatures Tie-Dye Prizms RC #IF-JMT #'d/25
Recent sale: $5,000
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After accepting the Lute Olsen Award as the nation's top player and the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard, Ja Morant was high on draft boards heading into the 2019 NBA Draft. After receiving the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery, the Memphis Grizzlies were outspoken about selecting Ja Morant as their lottery pick. On June 20, 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies did just that, selecting Ja Morant of Murray State as the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. After skipping the 2019 Summer League to rehab his injured knee, Morant made his highly anticipated NBA debut on October 23, 2019. Through 25 minutes of play, Morant contributed across the board, tallying 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one blocked shot.
Released on March 4, 2020, Panini issued 2019 Panini Select in several configurations, including hobby boxes, FOTL boxes, and hobby hybrid boxes. Morant's iconic rookie card from the set emerged from the In Flight Signatures checklist as a Tie-Dye Prizm parallel card. Each Tie-Dye Prizms rookie card from 2019 Panini Select is serial-numbered to 25. Morant's In Flight Signatures rookie card has an overall population of 11, presenting only 100% obtaining a PSA or BGS 10.
Morant burst onto the NBA scene, averaging 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in the season's first month. Collectors quickly recognized Morant's inherent stardom and immediately scooped up his 2019 Panini Select In Flight Signatures Tie-Dye Prizm rookie card due to the anticipated heightened prices of Ja Morant's rookie cards.
#9
2019 Panini Immaculate Collection Ja Morant Autographed Patch RC #117 #'d/99
Recent sale: $5,000
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Morant quickly proved he was worthy of his four-year, $39,619,840 contract. In just his third NBA contest, Morant scored a season-high 30 points on 13 of 22 from the field, including four rebounds and nine assists, guiding the Grizzlies to a victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Morant continued to improve, averaging 19 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in November of his rookie season.
Issued on November 18, 2020, Panini 2019-20 Immaculate Collection was one of the most coveted releases of the year. Distributed in both hobby boxes and FOTL boxes, the set's focal point is Ja Morant's rookie patch autograph card. Morant's RPA is serial-numbered to 99 copies, featuring a current PSA and BGS population of 34. Since its release, Morant's RPA from 2019-20 Panini Immaculate Collection has yet to receive a PSA or BGS 10. The highest grade received for Morant's RPA is a BGS 9.5, although the sale of this card earned a PSA 9, which has a population of three.
As his rookie season went on, Morant continued to excel as the Memphis Grizzlies starting point guard. Morant's 2019-20 Panini Immaculate Collection rookie patch autograph is one of only two cards on the list that have yet to earn a PSA or BGS 10. If a PSA or BGS 10 were to surface, Ja Morant's rookie card from the set would fetch a significant value.
#8
2019 Panini Select Ja Morant Disco Green Prizms RC #208 #'d/5
Recent sale: $6,100
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Heading into his rookie campaign, Ja Morant was listed at +450 odds to capture the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year award, starring Zion Williamson an early favorite at -450. While Williamson was nursing an injury to start the year and didn't make his NBA debut until midway through the season, Morant became the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year after totaling 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists before the All-Star Break. Morant continued to show why he was deserving of the Rookie of the Year in the second half of the season by raising his level of play. In Morant's final 19 games of his rookie campaign, he delivered 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, en route to capturing Rookie of the Year honors receiving 99% of the first-place votes.
Morant's 2019 Panini Select Disco Green Prizms rookie card is one of the most limited cards on the list, serial-numbered to five. Morant's Disco Green rookie card can only be found in a hobby hybrid box, which featured six exclusive Disco Prizm parallel cards in each box. Since Panini released 2019 Panini Select on March 4, 2020, three of Morant's five cards have surfaced, revealing one PSA 10 and two BGS 9.5.
Considering Morant's Rookie of the Year award and the extremely limited print run of his Disco Green Prizms rookie card, collectors can only hope that his 2019 Panini Select rookie card will surface in the near future, undoubtedly becoming one of the best Ja Morant rookie cards.
#7
2019 Panini Obsidian Ja Morant Electric Etch Contra FOTL RC #167 #'d/3
Recent sale: $6,750
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After the Grizzlies recorded a 34-49 record to finish 9th in the Western Conference, Morant had his sights on taking the Grizzlies to the postseason. In Morant's sophomore campaign, Morant and the Grizzles improved and finished with an overall 38-34 record to once again finish 9th in the Western Conference. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the newly launched Play-In Tournament, the Grizzlies played the 8th seeded Golden State Warriors in a play-in game. Behind 35 points, six rebounds, and six assists amidst two late field-goals in overtime, Morant and the Grizzlies clinched a playoff berth for the first time in four seasons. The Grizzlies would ultimately succumb to the top-seeded Utah Jazz in five games, though Morant excelled in the series, averaging 30.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
The 2019-20 Panini Obsidian release featured the coveted Electric Etch Contra parallels, as collectors discovering one in each FOTL box, in addition to two autographs. Panini limited each Electric Etch Contra parallel to three copies, with Ja Morant's rookie card the set's highlight. To date, only one of Morant's three Electric Etch Contra parallel cards has surfaced, meriting a PSA 10.
Since their inception in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies, the franchise has yet to win an NBA title, and their last playoff series win back in 2015. With Ja Morant at the helm, the Grizzlies look to make a deep playoff run, which will unquestionably influence Morant's 2019-20 Panini Obsidian Electric Etch Contra rookie card value.
#6
2019 Panini Prizm Ja Morant Prizms Pink Pulsar RC #249 #'d/42
Recent sale: $7,000
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Ja Morant is in just his third NBA season, though he already has accomplished several milestones for the Memphis Grizzlies. Marc Gasol, who played for the franchise for 11 seasons, has the franchise record with five career triple-doubles, though Ja Morant is right behind tallying three triple-doubles. Morant is also the only second Grizzlies player to obtain the Rookie of the Year award, as Marc Gasol's brother Pau prevailed in 2002. The franchise record for most games grasping 30 points and 10 assists sat at three until Ja Morant collected five such games in the 2020-21 NBA season.
Distributed to collectors on December 4, 2020, the 2019-20 Panini Prizm set was configured in a FOTL box, retail box, blaster box, and multi-pack boxes. Ja Morant's 2019-20 Panini Prizm rookie card was inserted into retail-only boxes as a Pink Pulsar parallel. Each Pink Pulsar parallel card from 2019-20 Panini Prizm is serial-numbered to 45 cards. Morant's card has received 10 PSA 10's out of 21 submissions and only three BGS 10's from 17 submissions. Morant's Pink Pulsar parallel rookie card has received a PSA or BGS 10 at a 34% clip.
Morant is eligible to sign a rookie max extension at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, where he could receive a five-year, $181 million contract from the franchise, and all signs point towards just that. At only 22 years old, Ja Morant has the potential to be one of the most decorated players in Memphis Grizzlies history, ensuring the significance of his 2019-20 Panini Prizm Pink Pulsar rookie card.
#5
2019 Panini Flawless Ja Morant Rookie Autographs RC #RA-JMT #'d/25
Recent sale: $7,100
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During the NBA Bubble in the 2020 season, Ja Morant's jersey sales ranked 15th in the league. In the 2020-21 season, Morant's jersey sales ranked 14th in the NBA after the All-Star break. In fact, Morant is the only NBA player drafted in the past two seasons to eclipse the top 15 in jersey sales. Suffice to say, Morant's becoming one of the most popular players in the league.
2019 Panini Flawless was distributed to collectors on December 23, 2020, in hobby boxes and FOTL boxes. A hobby box contains eight autographs, one memorabilia card, and one diamond card, while a FOTL box features eight autographs, one memorabilia card, and two FOTL Bronze Diamond Parallel cards. Ja Morant's 2019 Panini Flawless Rookie Autographs rookie card is limited to 25 copies and comparable to Morant's 2019-20 Panini Immaculate Collection as they are the only two cards that have yet to receive a PSA or BGS 10.
Behind a career 46% field goal percentage and 7.3 assists per game, Ja Morant is one of the most electric and engaging players in the NBA. If Morant continues at his high level of play, he is a shoo-in for an appearance at the 2021-22 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, Ohio, ensuring even further jersey sales and more worth for his 2019 Panini Flawless rookie card.
#4
2019 Panini Select Ja Morant Gold Prizms RC #72 #'d/10
Recent sale: $7,500
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Reflecting on Morant's playoff performance from the 2020-21 season, in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, he recorded a career-high 47 points on 15 of 26 shooting and 15 of 20 from the free-throw line. Before Game 2, the franchise record for most points scored in a single game belonged to Mike Miller back in 2007, totaling 45 points. Since Morant's remarkable playoff performance, he continuously flirts with 40 points. In his first game of the 2021-22 season, Morant recorded 37 points on 17 of 29 shooting, and then four days later, he reached the 40-point plateau on 13 of 21 shooting, amidst 10 assists, adding yet another 30-10 game for the third year phenom.
The third and final Ja Morant rookie card from 2019 Panini Select is his Gold Prizms rookie card. Morant's rookie card is exhibited in the Concourse checklist as a Gold Prizm parallel card, limited to only 10 cards. While Morant's Gold Prizms rookie card has a higher print run than the Disco Green Prizms rookie card from the same set, his Gold Prizms parallel holds more value.
Morant is an unstoppable force on any given night amidst his scoring ability and passing proficiency. As one of the most compelling players to watch, Morant's 2019 Panini Select Gold Prizms rookie card is a solid acquisition for any collector.
#3
2019 Panini Mosaic Ja Morant Black Prizm RC #274 #'d/1
Recent sale: $7,800
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Now the face of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise, Ja Morant received very little recognition back at Crestwood High School. Morant was unranked and not acknowledged by any college recruiters. One day, a Murray State University coach inadvertently stumbled upon Morant while he was in attendance to see one of Morant's teammates. Ja Morant went from an unknown high school prospect to a star at Murray State University and eventually became the 2019-10 NBA Rookie of the Year. A docuseries titled Promiseland was released back in June 2021 about Morant's improbable journey to the NBA.
Emerging from 2019 Panini Mosaic on May 20, 2020 is Ja Morant's third most valuable rookie card. Each hobby box includes an autographed card from the Autographs line. Morant's Black Prizm rookie card is his most limited rookie card, serial-numbered 1-of-1. Graded by Beckett, Morant's iconic card received a BGS 9 for centering, 9 for corners, 9.5 for edges, and 9.5 for surface, and an overall grade of a BGS 9.5.
The Promiseland documentary delves into Morant's remarkable path and how he has gone from an unknown high school player to an extraordinary NBA virtuoso throughout his journey. As Morant's 2019 Panini Mosaic Black Prizm represents his most limited rookie card, the only copy in existence possesses unparalleled value.
#2
2019 Panini Crown Royale Ja Morant Kaboom! RC #10
Recent sale: $7,998
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Through his first nine games of the 2021-22 season, Ja Morant is off to a torrid start. Morant is averaging 25.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in the early going. Last year, Morant made 6.8 of 15.2 field goals per contest. So far in the 2021-22 season, Morant is sinking 9.7 of 19.6 field goals, increasing his field goal percentage from 44% to 49%. He's also improved his steals per game ratio while also limiting his personal fouls from last year to this season.
The 2019-20 Panini Crown Royale set featured a hobby box and FOTL box with its release on January 21, 2020. A hobby box presented one autograph, one relic, and two inserts or parallel cards, and a FOTL box exhibited one Premium Edition Autograph, one relic, and two inserts or parallel cards. Although not serial-numbered and also featuring the highest population of any Morant rookie card, his short-printed Kaboom! card from the set is Morant's 2nd most valuable rookie card.
The Memphis Grizzlies currently sit 2nd in the Southwest Division and 6th in the Western Conference through the season's first nine games. As Ja Morant improves on a nightly basis, he has both other NBA teams and collectors on notice, with his Kaboom! rookie card from 2019-20 Panini Crown Royale climbing by the day and recognized as one of Ja Morant’s top rookie cards.
#1
2019 Panini Flawless Ja Morant Flawless Patch Autographs Ruby RC #PA-JMT #'d/15
Recent sale: $8,000
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While the 2021-22 season is just kicking off, Ja Morant routinely formulates highlight reels. Morant's 25.2 points per game are ranked 9th, his 9.7 made field goals per game ranks 7th, and his 7.1 assists per game rank 10th. Due to his quick start and continued growth per season, Ja Morant has the 11th highest odds (+2800) to capture the 2021-22 NBA MVP award.
Ja Morant's most valuable rookie card is from 2019 Panini Flawless. Morant's Flawless Ruby RPA is one of his most limited rookie cards, serial-numbered to 15 cards. To date, two cards have surfaced, with both obtaining a PSA 10.
Although he didn't get the nod, Morant played well enough in his first two seasons to earn a bid for the All-Star Game. Through the first two weeks of the 2021-22 NBA season, Morant has established himself as an elite force in the Memphis Grizzlies backcourt. He is making a solid case to hear his name called to compete on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the 71st rendition of the NBA All-Star Game. In this case, Morant's 2019 Panini Flawless Ruby rookie patch autograph card will immediately reach new heights.
The Ascent of Ja Morant
Rising from the ranks of a lowly recruited high school prospect, Morant's journey to the NBA is extraordinary. His first two NBA seasons were remarkable, and at only 22 years of age, he continues to elevate his level of play. If Ja Morant can continue his current pace of 25.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per contest, he will guarantee his place at the 2021-22 All-Star Game and put his name in the MVP conversation. Whether Morant wins the MVP this year or the next, he has cemented himself as one of the most explosive players in the league and a constant highlight reel. If Morant maintains his remarkable performances and captures yearly All-Star Game appearances and an MVP award along the way, his rookie cards will appreciate across the board.
