**GOOD NEWS: Netflix Announces Exclusive Documentary on Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies — A Story of Redemption, Grit, and a City’s Unbreakable Bond**
In a groundbreaking announcement that has set the basketball world and film community abuzz, **Netflix** revealed it will premiere a **powerful, never-before-seen documentary chronicling the life and career of NBA star Ja Morant**, along with the rise, struggles, and transformation of the **Memphis Grizzlies**. Titled *“RISE: Ja Morant & the Heart of Memphis,”* the documentary will debut **October 15, 2025**, just days before the start of the NBA season.
This highly anticipated feature offers an unfiltered, emotional, and deeply human portrayal of **Ja Morant’s rollercoaster journey**, alongside the Grizzlies’ quest to become more than just a team — to be a symbol of hope, resilience, and redemption in the city they represent.
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## **A Story the World Needs to See**
According to Netflix’s official synopsis, *RISE* will document:
* Ja Morant’s **humble beginnings** in South Carolina
* His **meteoric rise** through Murray State and the 2019 NBA Draft
* His explosive debut seasons and global stardom
* The **off-court controversies** and moments of reckoning in 2023 and 2024
* The Grizzlies’ transformation from league underdogs to a force of unity
* Behind-the-scenes footage from **locker rooms, team meetings, personal therapy sessions**, and **community events in Memphis**
The documentary also explores the emotional weight of carrying a city’s hopes and the pressure that comes with being a face of the league.
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## **Executive Produced by LeBron James and SpringHill Company**
*RISE* is directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker **Sacha Jenkins**, known for his powerful visual storytelling in sports and hip-hop culture, and is executive produced by **LeBron James** and Maverick Carter’s **SpringHill Company**.
LeBron said in a statement:
> “Ja’s story isn’t just about basketball — it’s about life. Mistakes, growth, pain, and redemption. This documentary is about accountability, community, and the power to change. Ja’s voice matters, and so does Memphis.”
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## **Ja Morant Speaks Out**
For the first time since his NBA suspension and subsequent return, **Ja Morant has agreed to speak candidly** in this project. Through a series of intimate interviews filmed across a span of 14 months, Morant opens up about **fame, family, faith, failures**, and his renewed sense of responsibility.
In a clip from the trailer, Morant says:
> “I went from being on top of the world to feeling like I lost it all. But Memphis never gave up on me. I had to learn, had to grow — not for the fans, not even for the critics. For myself. And for the people who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
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## **Memphis: More Than a Backdrop**
The documentary devotes significant focus to the **city of Memphis**, a community with a rich history in civil rights, soul music, struggle, and solidarity. Interviews with local business owners, activists, teachers, and lifelong Grizzlies fans frame Ja Morant not just as a sports figure but as a **symbol of hope**.
We see how his journey has mirrored the city’s — full of setbacks, raw emotion, and resilience.
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## **Behind the Scenes of the Grizzlies’ Rebuild**
The film captures key turning points in the Grizzlies’ evolution, including:
* The franchise’s pivot after the “Grit and Grind” era
* Drafting and developing stars like **Desmond Bane**, **Jaren Jackson Jr.**, and **Ziaire Williams**
* The turmoil during Morant’s suspension and the team’s effort to hold ground
* Head coach **Taylor Jenkins’ leadership**, locker room challenges, and evolving team culture
* The franchise’s offseason rebuilding moves to strengthen leadership and mentorship around Ja
Exclusive access to the Grizzlies’ front office and coaching staff will show fans what really went down behind closed doors during the team’s most difficult seasons.
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## **Supporting Cast: Interviews and Appearances**
The documentary is stacked with powerful interviews and appearances, including:
* **Ja’s parents**, Tee and Jamie Morant, offering personal stories from his childhood
* **Teammates** like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Dillon Brooks
* **Coach Taylor Jenkins**, reflecting on leadership through adversity
* **NBA icons** such as Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade, and Damian Lillard
* **Community leaders** from Memphis discussing the Grizzlies’ impact on local youth
* **Fans**, from diehard courtside veterans to kids inspired by Ja’s story
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## **Themes: Accountability, Redemption, Brotherhood**
While *RISE* will showcase Ja’s highlight dunks and superstar moments, its emotional core is centered around **vulnerability and personal growth**. The film doesn’t shy away from hard truths: the gun-related controversies that led to Morant’s suspensions in 2023 and 2024, public backlash, and his path to making amends.
We see Ja’s journey through counseling, rebuilding trust with his teammates, and re-engaging with the Memphis community through youth outreach, charitable work, and public service.
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## **Cinematic Highlights and Production Notes**
Shot over 18 months across **Memphis, South Carolina, Los Angeles**, and **NBA arenas nationwide**, the documentary uses a combination of:
* **Cinematic re-creations** of defining moments
* **Home videos** from Ja’s early years
* **Game footage**, interviews, and practice sessions
* **Voice-over narration by Ja himself**, guiding viewers through his internal transformation
Original music composed by **Memphis-born artist Yo Gotti**, with guest tracks from **Moneybagg Yo**, **Big K.R.I.T.**, and a new original song by **Anderson .Paak**, titled **“Back On My Feet”** — written specifically for the film.
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## **Public Reaction and Anticipation**
News of the Netflix documentary exploded on social media within hours of the announcement, with hashtags like **#JaMorantNetflix**, **#RISEMemphis**, and **#GrizzliesDoc** trending worldwide.
> “Ja’s story has always been bigger than basketball. Can’t wait to see him tell it in his own words.” – @GrizzNation901
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> “Finally — a doc that doesn’t just celebrate greatness, but *earned* redemption. Memphis deserves this.” – @NBAHistoryReal
NBA analysts and former players praised Netflix for spotlighting **real-life redemption arcs** rather than glossed-over highlight reels.
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## **Companion Book and Soundtrack**
To coincide with the documentary, Ja Morant will also release a **memoir**, titled *“From the Ground Up: My Rise, My Fall, My Fight Back,”* in partnership with Random House, due for release on October 10. A **soundtrack album** featuring key Memphis artists and tracks used in the film will be available the same week on all major streaming platforms.
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## **A Platform for the Future**
Sources close to the production say Ja hopes this documentary will do more than explain his past — he wants it to **inspire others facing their own battles**.
> “We all fall. But that fall doesn’t define you. What you do after — that’s your legacy,” Ja says in the film’s closing scene.
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## **Documentary Details**
* **Title:** *RISE: Ja Morant & the Heart of Memphis*
* **Premiere Date:** October 15, 2025
* **Streaming Platform:** Netflix
* **Director:** Sacha Jenkins
* **Executive Producers:** LeBron James, Maverick Carter (SpringHill Company)
* **Runtime:** Approx. 1 hour 55 minutes
* **Rating:** TV-14
* **Soundtrack Release:** October 12, 2025
* **Memoir Release:** October 10, 2025
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## **Final Thoughts**
*RISE* is more than a documentary — it’s a deeply human story of talent, turbulence, and transformation. In a time when public figures are often dehumanized, this film offers an honest, soul-baring account of a man learning from his mistakes and striving to become more — not just for his team, his city, or his fans, but for himself.
As the Memphis Grizzlies prepare for a new NBA season and Ja Morant steps forward once more, the world will now see not just the athlete — but the journey that shaped him.
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