BREAKING NEWS: NBA Star Ja Morant Transforms $3.6 Million Mansion Into Shelter for Homeless Youth in Tennessee,Ohio,Penn and Michigan
In a move that’s making waves beyond the basketball court, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has taken a bold and heartfelt step off the hardwood. The 25-year-old point guard has reportedly invested $3.6 million of his personal wealth into converting a sprawling Memphis estate into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth. The project, dubbed The Rise House, aims to provide stability, support, and hope to some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable young people.
Sources close to Morant say the idea took root after a chance encounter last winter. While driving home after a late-night workout, Morant stopped at a gas station and noticed a teenager shivering in the cold, huddled near the dumpsters. He offered the teen food and a ride, only to learn that the boy had been living on the streets after aging out of the foster system. That moment stuck with him.
“He didn’t just give me a ride,” the now 17-year-old teen, known only as Marcus, shared in a recent interview. “He gave me a reason to believe people still care. That night changed my life.”
Within weeks, Morant began quietly assembling a team of architects, social workers, and nonprofit leaders. He purchased a 14-bedroom mansion in the heart of Memphis and immediately began renovations. But this isn’t just any shelter—it’s a comprehensive care center designed to provide more than just a roof.
The Rise House will offer mental health services, academic tutoring, career counseling, life skills training, and recreational activities. It will also house an on-site basketball court—a personal touch from Morant—where he plans to host regular pickup games and mentorship sessions.
“It’s not about charity. It’s about community,” Morant said in a statement released through his foundation. “I’ve been blessed with a platform and the resources to make change, and this is something that’s been on my heart. These kids deserve a shot—just like I had.”
Local officials have praised the initiative, with Memphis Mayor Paul Young calling it “a game-changer for the city.”
“It’s rare to see someone of Ja’s status not only donate money but immerse himself in a cause so deeply. He’s not just funding it—he’s shaping it.”
The Rise House is expected to open its doors this summer, with space for up to 40 youth at a time. Morant has also committed to covering operating costs for the first five years, ensuring the program doesn’t rely solely on outside donations.
In a time when headlines about athletes often center around contracts and controversies, Ja Morant is reminding the world of something powerful: that influence, when used wisely, can create lasting impact.
And for dozens of homeless youth in Tennessee, that impact might just be the difference between surviving—and rising.
