NBA legend Ja Morant** has signed a **\$13.5 million deal with Netflix** for a **7-episode docuseries** about his transformative journey with the **Memphis Grizzlies**—from electrifying dunks to personal redemption, from stardom to storytelling.
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# **BREAKING: Ja Morant Signs \$13.5M Netflix Deal for 7-Episode Docuseries on His Journey with the Memphis Grizzlies**
In a move that’s both historic and deeply personal, **Ja Morant**, the face of the Memphis Grizzlies and one of the most electrifying talents in basketball history, has officially signed a **\$13.5 million content deal with Netflix**. The deal greenlights a **7-part docuseries** titled **“RISE: The Ja Morant Chronicles”**, which will take viewers on an unfiltered ride through Morant’s rise to superstardom, the highs and lows of his career, and the city of Memphis’ undying love for its adopted son.
Netflix confirmed the landmark deal on Tuesday morning in a joint statement with Morant’s team and the NBA. The series is already in production and is slated for global release in **early 2026**.
> “This is more than my story,” Morant said. “It’s about how a small-town kid and a small-market franchise grew together. It’s about pain, pressure, passion—and finding peace in the storm.”
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## **The Concept: A Journey Told in Layers**
**“RISE: The Ja Morant Chronicles”** will stretch across **seven hour-long episodes**, each diving into a different chapter of Morant’s life and career. The series promises to go beyond the courtside thrills to explore the raw, real moments that shaped him—from being overlooked in high school to becoming the cornerstone of a franchise and a household name.
The series is being directed by **Nadia Hallgren**, known for her work on *Becoming* and *After Maria*, and executive produced by **Ja himself** along with **LeBron James’ SpringHill Company** and **Maverick Carter**.
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## **The Official Episode Guide (Working Titles)**
1. **“Unearthed”** – Ja’s humble beginnings in Dalzell, South Carolina, and how he went from gym rat to mid-major magic at Murray State.
2. **“Draft Day, Doubt & Destiny”** – The night Ja was picked 2nd overall in the 2019 NBA Draft—and the immediate pressure that came with it.
3. **“Making Memphis”** – Establishing himself as Rookie of the Year and changing the narrative around the Grizzlies’ future.
4. **“The High-Flyer’s Fall”** – The 2022–2023 controversies, suspensions, media backlash, and the personal toll it took on Morant.
5. **“Grind City Redemption”** – Returning to the team, rebuilding trust with fans and teammates, and reshaping his image and mindset.
6. **“Fatherhood & Faith”** – The role of family, his daughter Kaari, and the quiet spiritual journey Morant rarely speaks about publicly.
7. **“Legacy in Motion”** – Ja’s comeback season, MVP candidacy, and how Memphis and Morant built something lasting—together.
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## **\$13.5M Netflix Deal: What It Includes**
The production agreement reportedly includes:
* **\$9 million upfront for production, rights, and behind-the-scenes exclusivity**
* **\$2.5 million in executive producer and appearance fees for Morant**
* **\$2 million allocated for Memphis-based youth sports and mental health initiatives via the “12th Man Foundation”**
Netflix has described the series as “a poetic, sometimes painful, often powerful portrait of a generational athlete in real time.”
> “There’s never been a Ja Morant before,” said Netflix’s Head of Sports Content, Maya Garcia. “And this story needed to be told by the only person who could—himself.”
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## **Why Now?**
At 25 years old, Ja Morant is still writing his legacy. He’s a two-time All-Star, All-NBA selection, and has become one of the most recognizable figures in global sports culture.
But with greatness came growing pains.
After a stunning early career, Morant’s off-court challenges—from multiple suspensions to highly publicized incidents involving social media, nightclub footage, and mental wellness—led many to question whether his promise would ever fully materialize.
Morant used that pressure as fuel.
> “I went through the fire,” he told *GQ* in an early interview for the project. “Not to burn—but to become something stronger.”
The series will chronicle that fire—**the mistakes, the media trials, the therapy, the rebuilding**, and the quiet moments that don’t show up in highlights.
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## **A Love Letter to Memphis**
Perhaps more than anything, the docuseries will serve as a **tribute to Memphis**—the city that took a chance on Ja and stood by him through both brilliance and bruises.
> “Memphis saved me,” Morant says in the series trailer. “And I hope I gave them something back.”
Expect intimate interviews with:
* **Teammates** like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Dillon Brooks
* **Grizzlies coaching staff**, including Taylor Jenkins
* **Team ownership and front office executives**
* **Local Memphis leaders and fans**
The series will also showcase **community events**, **charity games**, and moments of Ja walking through neighborhoods, returning to schools he helped renovate, and interacting with the kids who see themselves in his story.
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## **Celebrity Reactions and Anticipation**
News of the series sparked reactions across the sports and entertainment world.
### LeBron James:
> “Proud of you, young king. Tell it all. The wins. The losses. The climb. 👑”
### Kendrick Lamar (rumored to be contributing music to the soundtrack):
> “We don’t hide from the mirror. We build from the reflection.”
### Taylor Rooks, featured in an exclusive sit-down in Episode 4:
> “One of the most honest interviews I’ve ever done. Ja didn’t run from the truth—he ran into it.”
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## **Behind the Scenes: Vulnerability Over Victory**
Filmmakers spent more than 14 months filming Ja in Memphis, on the road, during rehab stints, private therapy sessions, family reunions, and his training in South Carolina. Cameras were allowed inside his home, locker room, prayer room, and even on FaceTime calls with his daughter.
> “We didn’t want a highlight reel,” said director Nadia Hallgren. “We wanted the human being. The brother. The son. The flawed and the fearless.”
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## **A New Era of Athlete Storytelling**
Morant joins a new wave of athletes using documentaries to **reshape the public narrative**:
* *The Last Dance* (Michael Jordan)
* *Man in the Arena* (Tom Brady)
* *Beckham* (David Beckham)
* *Quarterback* (Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins)
But *RISE* is different.
It’s **not a retrospective**. It’s unfolding now—**as Ja is still building his story**.
> “This isn’t the end. This is the turning point,” Ja said.
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## **Public Response: A City Ready to Watch**
Across Memphis, the announcement felt like a personal victory.
Fans gathered outside FedExForum with signs:
* “Ja is our heartbeat.”
* “From 12 to Forever.”
* “The world gets to see what we already knew.”
High schools in the city have planned viewing parties. Local youth teams are naming summer clinics after *RISE*. And the Memphis mayor’s office has confirmed a **city-wide premiere event** when the series launches.
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## **What Viewers Can Expect**
Aside from the obvious basketball highlights—poster dunks, buzzer-beaters, All-Star moments—the docuseries will explore:
* Ja’s relationship with his parents, especially his father, **Tee Morant**
* His close bond with his daughter, **Kaari**
* His quiet Christian faith and the Bible verses he turned to during suspension
* How he handled being “the villain” in NBA media for nearly a year
* The spiritual shift he underwent during his rehab in 2024
* Unreleased footage from private training sessions, therapy journals, and more
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## **The Soundtrack: Grit, Grind & Gospel**
Music will play a massive role in the project. The series will feature:
* Original tracks from **Yo Gotti**, **Moneybagg Yo**, and **Cordae**
* Exclusive compositions by **Labrinth**
* Background vocals and narration by **H.E.R.**
Morant is reportedly contributing voice notes and poetry recorded during his recovery process, adding a deeply personal touch to each episode.
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## **The Bigger Picture: More Than Basketball**
When asked why he agreed to the project, Ja answered:
> “Because somebody’s going through what I went through. And they don’t think they’ll make it. Maybe if they see me walk through it—they’ll believe they can too.”
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## **Netflix Statement**
Netflix released the following official statement:
> “Ja Morant represents everything this generation of athletes embodies: brilliance, complexity, growth, vulnerability. *RISE* is the kind of story that can only be told through authenticity—and that’s what Ja gave us.”
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## **Release Plan**
* **Fall 2025** – Official Trailer drops globally
* **December 2025** – Premiere in Memphis, NY, and LA
* **January 2026** – Full series available on Netflix
* **February 2026** – Eligible for Emmy and Sports Doc honors
Netflix also confirmed plans for an **interactive second-screen experience**, allowing fans to explore bonus content, behind-the-scenes photos, and Ja’s personal playlist for each episode.
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## **Final Word: Ja, Unfiltered**
> “The world saw me fall. Now they’ll see why I got back up.”
> — Ja Morant
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**RISE: The Ja Morant Chronicles**
Coming January 2026 | Only on Netflix
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